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Simon MayerView profile

Professor

• Human-Computer Interaction
• Pervasive Computing
• Autonomous Systems
• +7 more

Prof. Simon Mayer is a Full Professor and Chair of Interaction- and Communication-based Systems at the University of St. Gallen (HSG). He leads a research group focusing on technology-mediated interactions in socio-technical systems, including pervasive computing, human-robot interaction, and web-based multi-agent systems. His work emphasizes ethical design, responsible AI, and the integration of autonomous systems into everyday environments. He teaches courses on ubiquitous computing, distributed systems, and introductory computer science for business students. Research interests span IoT, embedded systems, and smart environments. He advises PhD students in domains like pediatric nerve imaging, systemic risks in social media algorithms, and mixed reality privacy. Collaborations include projects with the Children’s Hospital of Eastern Switzerland and industry partners. His group’s publications address topics like perceptual filter bubbles, ad-blocking in XR, and energy-efficient sensor networks. Awards include an Honorable Mention at DIS '25 for co-authored work on personalized realities. He maintains active industry engagement through research entrepreneurship, exploring commercial applications of robotics and healthcare tech. His lab supports over 20 ongoing student theses annually and collaborates across disciplines, combining computer science with legal and social sciences to address systemic platform risks.

• Multimodal Interaction
• Educational Technology
• Cognitive Psychology
• +7 more

Dr. Birgit Brucker is a Researcher and Deputy Head of the Multimodal Interaction Lab at the Leibniz Institute for Knowledge Media (IWM) in Tübingen. She also serves as Scientific Coordinator for the Mixed Reality Lab and Multi-Touch Lab within the institute's Future Innovation Space. Her research focuses on innovative interaction media such as virtual reality and multi-touch interfaces to enhance learning in scientific, artistic, and movement-related domains. Key interests include the mirror neuron system's role in learning, cognitive impacts of hand proximity to digital interfaces, and AI's potential and risks in educational writing scenarios. Brucker holds a Psychology diploma (2007) and a PhD (2012) from Eberhard Karls University of Tübingen. Her doctoral work investigated static and dynamic visualizations' roles in understanding complex scientific phenomena. She has led projects on AI-supported creative writing, museum digitalization, and immersive educational technologies. Her research spans cognitive psychology, educational technology, and neuroeducational studies. Notable projects include analyzing Nazi propaganda image retention (2025), immersive video learning experiences (2025), and neural mechanisms of spatial perspective-taking (2023). She has published extensively in journals like Computers in Human Behavior and Computers & Education. Brucker collaborates with institutions like the Leibniz Research Alliance on materials safety and teacher education networks (MINT-ProNeD, KuMuS-ProNeD). Her work bridges cognitive science, educational design, and emerging technologies to advance interactive learning environments.

• Learning with digital games
• Curiosity and motivation processes
• Digital skills development
• +3 more

Jessica Kathmann is a psychologist and PhD candidate at the Leibniz Institute for Knowledge Media (IWM) in Tübingen, affiliated with the University of Tübingen. She works in the Multimodal Interaction Lab on curiosity processes in learning with digital games, particularly through the "Kafka or Not?" project. As a lecturer at multiple German Universities of Applied Sciences, she teaches courses on psychology for game developers and related subjects while supervising student theses. Her educational background includes an M.Sc. in Psychology from Eberhard Karls Universität Tübingen (2016). Prior to her current positions, she worked on the BMBF meta-project "Digitalization in the Fields of Education" (Digi-EBF) focusing on digital skills of prospective teachers and contributed to the expansion of the e-teaching.org portal. She has also managed the Institute's social media channels and participated in public relations work. Kathmann's research centers on learning with digital games, curiosity and motivation processes, and digital skills development in educational contexts. Her work bridges educational psychology, game design, and digital media, with a particular focus on how game mechanics can enhance learning experiences and motivation in formal educational settings. She investigates how digital games can be designed to incorporate collaborative elements and cross-curricular content, particularly in language education. Her recent publications and conference presentations demonstrate expertise in serious games, psychological principles in game design, and the application of digital media in educational settings. She has presented at numerous conferences including the Joint Conference on Serious Games, German Dev Days, and various educational research forums, sharing insights on how psychological theory can inform game development for educational purposes. Mathilde-Planck-Lectureship programme funding (2024-present) As an educator, Kathmann has developed and taught courses on game psychology, social psychology, and psychology for game developers at institutions including Neu-Ulm University of Applied Sciences, Offenburg University of Applied Sciences, and SRH University Heidelberg. She has organized academic events such as the e-teaching.org special topic on quality in higher education with digital media and the "Together into the digital transformation!" dialogue forum connecting school practice with scientific research.

Sang Won LeeView profile

Associate Professor

• Human-Computer Interaction (HCI)
• Computer-Mediated Empathy
• Creative Computing
• +5 more

Sang Won Lee is an Associate Professor of Computer Science at Virginia Tech and a Visiting Researcher at NAVER AI Lab. His work focuses on Human-Computer Interaction (HCI), computer-mediated empathy, and creative computing. He explores technologies like VR, conversational agents, and live coding to foster empathy, support self-reflection, and enable inclusive collaboration. His research has been recognized with best paper awards at ACM CHI and Creativity & Cognition. He holds a Ph.D. in Computer Science from the University of Michigan, alongside degrees in Music Technology (Georgia Tech), Management Science (Stanford), and Industrial Engineering (Seoul National University). His teaching spans courses like Creative Computing Studio, Computer-Supported Cooperative Work, and Game Design. Research interests include: Empathy through interactive systems Music technology and live coding performances Collaborative tools for education and work VR/AR applications in learning Notable awards include the 2016 International Computer Music Association Award for his composition Live Writing: Gloomy Streets . Recent work explores AI ethics in education, voice agents in parent-child interactions, and cross-device mixed reality experiences. Active in both academic conferences (CHI, NIME) and artistic venues (ICMC performances), he bridges technical innovation with creative expression. His lab develops tools like TaskScape for holistic task management and Octave for spatiotemporal data analysis in construction education.

Denis GracaninView profile

Associate Professor

• Virtual Reality
• Computer Graphics
• Human-Computer Interaction
• +5 more

Denis Gracanin is an Associate Professor in the Department of Computer Science at Virginia Tech, part of the College of Engineering. He holds a Ph.D. in Computer Science from the University of Louisiana at Lafayette (1994) and multiple advanced degrees in Electrical Engineering from the University of Zagreb, Croatia. His research focuses on Virtual Reality (VR), Augmented Reality (AR), human-computer interaction, privacy, and immersive analytics. He has held notable fellowships, including from ONR and NASA, and contributes to editorial boards of journals like Naše more and International Journal on Systems and Software Engineering . Education: Ph.D., Computer Science, University of Louisiana at Lafayette, 1994 M.S., Computer Science, University of Louisiana at Lafayette, 1992 M.Sc., Electrical Engineering (Telecommunications), University of Zagreb, 1988 B.Sc., Electrical Engineering (Radiocommunications), University of Zagreb, 1986 B.Sc., Electrical Engineering (Telecommunications), University of Zagreb, 1985 Research Interests: Gracanin explores VR/AR applications, cybersecurity in immersive systems, generative AI for 3D object creation, and smart built environments. Recent work includes optimizing light probes in VR, BCI for mobility assistance, and stress management using wearables and LLMs. Publications: His recent articles address topics like cross-layer security frameworks for XR, context-aware AR content generation, and interactive cooling system design. These contributions span computer science, cybersecurity, and biomedical engineering. Awards & Fellowships: ONR Summer Senior Faculty Fellowship (2015, 2010, 2005) NASA Summer Faculty Fellowship (2004) Fulbright Scholarship (1991) Grants & Labs: Gracanin collaborates on projects like XR-CEIL (cybersecurity training) and Smart Re-configurable Spaces (SReS) for pandemic adaptation. He also engages in industry partnerships, such as with Naval Surface Warfare Center and NASA.

Joseph L. GabbardView profile

Professor

• Human Factors Engineering and Ergonomics
• Augmented Reality
• Virtual Reality
• +4 more

Joseph L. Gabbard is a Professor in the Department of Industrial and Systems Engineering at Virginia Tech's College of Engineering, holding the Grado Faculty Fellowship. His research focuses on Human Factors Engineering, Augmented Reality (AR), Virtual Reality (VR), and Usability Engineering with applications in driver safety, emergency response training, and educational technology. He earned a Ph.D., M.S., and B.S. in Computer Science, along with a B.A. in Sociology. He leads projects on AR interfaces for transportation safety, including studies on HUDs and driver distraction mitigation. His work bridges immersive technologies with practical applications like triage training for emergency responders and classroom behavior management simulations. Notable contributions include winning a Microsoft HoloLens Academic Research Grant (2015) and advancing AR design principles through rigorous human performance evaluations. Key research themes include the cognitive impacts of AR systems, spatial awareness in dynamic environments, and adaptive training methodologies. His publications span AR HUD safety metrics, exergaming design patterns, and AR-driven emergency protocols. Collaborations with industry and government emphasize translating academic insights into real-world solutions for transportation, healthcare, and education sectors.

• Artificial Intelligence
• Privacy Concerns
• Digital Surveillance
• +6 more

Roles and Affiliations: Professor at the Charles H. Sandage Department of Advertising, Director of the Institute of Communications Research, and affiliated with multiple departments including Journalism, Business Administration, Communication, and Biomedical and Translational Sciences. Also an affiliate at the Siebel Center for Design. Holds a cross-disciplinary position within the University of Illinois' College of Media. Research Interests: Focuses on intersections of technology and human behavior, particularly in AI-driven education, digital privacy, surveillance dynamics, and human-machine communication. Explores topics like conversational agents, recommendation systems, cognitive biases in digital search, and gender representation in AI interactions. Utilizes mixed-methods approaches to understand technology's societal impacts. Notable Activities: Delivered a public lecture titled "I on the Media" addressing pandemic-era media challenges (May 2020). Active in cross-institutional collaborations, evidenced by international research networks and frequent media engagements. Key Contributions: Over 40 scholarly outputs including peer-reviewed articles in Journal of Media Psychology , Computers in Human Behavior , and conference proceedings. Recognized for work on AI in special needs education and privacy in surveillance contexts. Popular articles like the 2023 gender identity study received significant social media attention.

Lisa CranleyView profile

Associate Professor

• Gerontology
• Nursing
• Healthcare Quality Improvement
• +3 more

Dr. Lisa Cranley is an Associate Professor at the Lawrence Bloomberg Faculty of Nursing, University of Toronto. She holds a cross-appointment with the Factor-Inwentash Faculty of Social Work and the Institute for Life Course & Aging at the University of Toronto, as well as an Assistant Adjunct Professor role at the University of Alberta's Faculty of Nursing. Her research focuses on improving healthcare delivery quality for older adults in long-term care, workforce capacity development, and patient/family engagement in care planning using mixed methods. Her work is funded by CIHR and SSHRC. Education: Post-Doctoral Fellow, Knowledge Utilization Studies Program, University of Alberta (2012) PhD in Nursing, University of Toronto (2009) MN, University of Toronto (2003) BScN, University of Ottawa (1997) Diploma in Nursing, Conestoga College (1994) Research Interests: Her work addresses long-term care workforce development, patient-centered care in aging populations, and implementation science. She advocates for meaningful engagement of older adults and families in care decisions while exploring innovations like virtual reality in nursing education. Recent Article Trends: Recent publications focus on leadership roles in long-term care, pandemic-driven innovations, nursing students' self-efficacy in geriatric care, and ethical challenges in medical assistance in dying (MAiD). These studies highlight systemic improvements and educational strategies to enhance care quality. Grants & Collaborations: Supported by major grants from CIHR and SSHRC, her projects include initiatives like the SCOPE study for safer care environments and interdisciplinary collaborations to improve resident outcomes. She also leads studies on interprofessional teamwork in long-term care settings. Labs & Teams: Active in the SCOPE (Safer Care for Older Persons) initiative and collaborates with multidisciplinary teams to translate research into practice, including projects on healthcare aide decision-making and policy impact analysis.

• Computer Music
• Human-Computer Interaction
• Machine Learning
• +5 more

Dr. Chris Kiefer is a Professor of Musical Instrument Design at the University of Sussex's School of Media, Arts and Humanities. His work bridges music technology, computer science, and arts, focusing on musician-computer interaction, physical computing, and machine learning. He leads projects such as the AHRC-funded 'Musically Embodied Machine Learning' and co-ran the 'Feedback Musicianship Network.' His research involves developing innovative instruments like the Nalima and Feedback Cello, emphasizing participatory design and dynamical systems analysis. Key research areas include feedback musicianship, livecoding, embedded AI for musical interfaces, and ecoacoustics. He has secured multiple grants, including from AHRC and NERC, and collaborates internationally in conferences like NIME and Sound and Music Computing. His work spans signal processing, tangible interfaces, and interdisciplinary performance systems, with a focus on embodied AI and sustainable technological practices. Grants: AHRC Fellowship (2024-2025), Musically Embodied Machine Learning; AHRC Feedback Musicianship Network (2021-2022) Notable Instruments: Nalima, Feedback Cello, uSEQ Eurorack module Key Publications: Focus on livecoding tools, feedback systems, robot music theatre, and embedded machine learning architectures His labs and collaborations emphasize merging computational creativity with traditional musical practices, fostering innovation in both academic and artistic domains.

Alison WarrenView profile

Associate Professor

• Occupational Therapy
• Dementia Care
• Healthcare Innovation
• +3 more

Dr Alison Warren is an Associate Professor of Occupational Therapy and Research Lead for Occupational Therapy at the School of Health Professions, University of Plymouth. She also serves as Interim Pathway Lead for the MSc Advanced Professional Practice in Occupational Therapy. Her work aligns with UN Sustainable Development Goals, particularly focusing on improving accessibility and participation for vulnerable populations. Her research interests include dementia care, innovative placement models, professional identity development, and interprofessional collaboration. She has contributed to initiatives like the Prime Minister’s Dementia Working Group for Air Transport, advocating for accessible air travel experiences for people with dementia. She leads the 'Participation in Everyday Life' research group and has supervised 4 completed PhDs, with 3 current doctoral students and 2 part-time researchers. Teaching focuses on dementia care, research methods, and digital health integration. She has developed distance and blended learning modules at undergraduate and postgraduate levels. Notable contributions include co-authoring the 'Dementia Friendly Flying Guide' and exploring technology’s role in older adults’ occupations. Her recent articles highlight themes like sensory processing in forensic mental health, smart speaker use in care homes, and gardening therapy for cancer patients. She emphasizes occupational justice and innovative solutions to enhance accessibility across healthcare and transportation sectors. Grants and collaborations include work with the NHS and aviation stakeholders to improve dementia-friendly travel. She advocates for compassionate practice and interprofessional education, fostering student engagement in emerging therapeutic areas.

Gregory WelchView profile

Professor

• Simulation and Modeling
• Human-Computer Interaction
• Virtual Reality
• +4 more

Gregory Welch is a Pegasus Professor and AdventHealth Endowed Chair in Healthcare Simulation at the University of Central Florida (UCF), with a primary appointment in the Department of Computer Science within the College of Engineering and Computer Science. He co-directs the UCF Synthetic Reality Laboratory (SREAL) and is affiliated with the UCF Institute for Simulation & Training and the Learning Sciences Faculty Research Cluster. Education: PhD in Computer Science, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill MS in Computer Science, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill BS in Electrical Engineering Technology, Purdue University Welch's research focuses on human-computer interaction, virtual reality (VR), augmented reality (AR), computer graphics, motion tracking, and simulation technology for healthcare and training applications. He explores areas like user interface design, spatial cognition, and cross-reality systems, emphasizing accessibility and productivity in immersive environments. The 15 most recent publications highlight his work in VR/AR for training systems, user experience, spatial awareness, and cross-reality transitions. Themes include task efficiency, trust in autonomous systems, cognitive residue, social dynamics in VR, and inclusive design. His lab develops technologies like physical-virtual patient systems and adaptive XR interfaces for medical education. Scientific Awards: Fellow, Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE), 2022 Fellow, National Academy of Inventors (NAI), 2021 Scroll & Quill Society, UCF, 2021 Virtual Reality Technical Achievement Award, IEEE, 2018 Luminary Award, UCF, 2017 Research Incentive Award, UCF, 2017 Welch's leadership includes directing SREAL and contributing to NSF-funded initiatives like the Virtual Experience Research Accelerator (VERA). His work has generated over 25 patents and 140 publications, with applications in healthcare, robotics, and smart environments.

• Digital Art
• Virtual Reality
• Interactive Media
• +3 more

Águeda Simó Cachorro is an Associate Professor in the Department of Arts at the University of Beira Interior, Portugal. She is a multimedia artist and researcher specializing in the intersection of art, technology, and science. Her work focuses on virtual reality, interactive installations, and stereoscopic interfaces, exploring themes of human perception, self-identity, and the symbiosis between art and technology. Education: Ph.D. in Fine Arts, University of the Basque Country (2001) MA in Image Synthesis and Computer Animation, Middlesex University (1993) BA in Fine Arts and Communication Science, University of the Basque Country (1991/1989) Research Interests: Virtual reality art installations, stereoscopic displays, interactive narratives, digital art, and the application of technology in education and cultural dissemination. Awards: Fulbright Fellowship (1997) Postdoctoral Research Grant, Basque Government (2001) Annenberg Center for Communication Award (1998) Labs/Teams: LabCom (Communication and Arts Research Lab), LIMI (Laboratory of Interactive Multimedia Installations).

• Surgical Robotics
• Minimally Invasive Surgery
• Virtual Reality in Medical Training
• +3 more

Caroline Giai Ly Cao serves as Professor in Industrial and Enterprise Systems Engineering, Bioengineering, and Biomedical and Translational Sciences at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign's Grainger College of Engineering. She directs both Engineering Innovation and Medical Simulation and Applied Health Technology Initiatives, driving interdisciplinary medical technology development. Her research focuses on surgical robotics and medical simulation, specializing in laparoscopic training systems with haptic feedback integration. Key interests include virtual reality applications for clinical practice, operator fatigue modeling in robot-assisted surgery, and stress response analysis in virtual environments. The fingerprint analysis confirms dominant expertise in minimally invasive surgery (76% weight) and virtual reality applications (25% weight). Recent publications reveal strong trends in mixed-reality medical imaging integration and neural network applications for surgical instrumentation. Her team develops decision support systems for robotic procedures while advancing human factors engineering in healthcare settings through fatigue modeling and stress induction studies. Scientific recognition includes: IEA Fellow (2024) As director of two major initiatives, Dr. Cao leads teams developing medical simulation tools that bridge engineering innovation with clinical practice. Her Applied Health Technology Initiatives program specifically creates translational solutions for surgical training and patient care enhancement through advanced simulation technologies.

Tianlong ZuView profile

Assistant Professor

• Physics Education Research
• STEM Education
• Cognitive Science
• +3 more

Tianlong Zu is an Assistant Professor of Instruction and Director of Introductory Physics Labs at Northwestern University's Department of Physics and Astronomy. He holds a PhD from Purdue University (2017). His research focuses on enhancing college-level physics education through innovative pedagogical strategies, particularly combining retrieval practice and scientific argumentation to improve problem-solving skills. He also develops mixed reality learning modules to deepen conceptual understanding. Education: PhD in Physics, Purdue University, 2017 Research Interests: Zu investigates cognitive load theory in educational contexts, leveraging eye-tracking technology and machine learning to analyze student learning processes. His work bridges cognitive science and physics education, emphasizing multimedia learning and instructional design. Key themes include optimizing problem-solving strategies, validating cognitive load measurement tools, and evaluating the impact of visual and video-based interventions. Publications: His recent work spans 2014–2025, focusing on educational technology applications, cognitive load measurement, and physics pedagogy. Notable trends include the use of eye-tracking data for predictive analytics and the integration of video solutions in lab instruction. Themes of multimedia design and active learning strategies recur across studies. Teaching & Leadership: As Director of Introductory Physics Labs, Zu oversees curricular design and implementation. His role emphasizes translating research insights into classroom practices. While no specific grants or awards are listed, his contributions to physics education methodology are evident through publication output. Labs/Teams: Leads the Introductory Physics Labs team at Northwestern, fostering student engagement through evidence-based practices.

• Construction Materials
• Remote Sensing
• Structural Health Monitoring
• +7 more

Mohamad Alipour is a Research Assistant Professor in the Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. He holds a Ph.D. from the University of Virginia and M.S./B.S. degrees from Tehran Polytechnic. His academic roles include: Faculty Fellow, National Center for Supercomputing Applications (NCSA) Co-Guest Editor for Journal of Sensors and Associate Editor for Journal of Nondestructive Evaluation Education: Ph.D. in Civil Engineering (Structures), University of Virginia, 2019 M.S. in Structural Engineering, Tehran Polytechnic, 2010 B.S. in Civil Engineering, Tehran Polytechnic, 2008 Research Interests: Focuses on scalable digitization, automation, and AI-driven solutions for infrastructure challenges. Key areas include: Remote sensing and machine learning for infrastructure monitoring Wildfire fuel mapping using multimodal data fusion Structural health monitoring via computer vision and digital twins Automated UAV-based inspection systems Recent Research Trends: Articles emphasize Bayesian inversion for subsurface sensing, wildfire fuel estimation via AI, and UAV optimization. Themes include environmental sustainability, data fusion, and infrastructure resilience. Awards and Honors: NCSA Outstanding Mentor (2024) Aftab Mufti Medal for Best Paper (2022) Young Professionals Award, ASCE (2020) Advising & Grants: Supervises Ph.D. students (e.g., Ishfaq Aziz) and leads projects funded by NASA, Microsoft, and Amazon. Current openings exist for motivated students in machine learning and infrastructure analytics. Labs & Teams: Directs the Alipour Research Group, specializing in digital twins for smart infrastructure. Collaborates with NCSA and industry partners on AI-driven solutions for natural hazard mitigation.