Oscar Argudo

Oscar Argudo serves as Assistant Professor in the Department of Computer Science at the Barcelona School of Informatics, Universitat Politecnica de Catalunya (UPC), focusing on computer graphics and virtual reality applications for environmental simulation. His expertise bridges computational techniques with real-world ecological concerns, particularly human impact on natural landscapes through recreational activities like hiking.

Education:

• PhD in Computer Science, Universitat Politecnica de Catalunya (2018). Thesis: "Realistic reconstruction and rendering of detailed 3D scenarios from multiple data sources". Advisors: Carlos Andujar and Antoni Chica.

His research pioneers terrain modeling methodologies that simulate erosion, vegetation decay, and trail formation through procedural algorithms and crowd behavior modeling. Current work integrates pathfinding optimization for uneven terrains with anthropogenic degradation effects, creating immersive VR experiences that visualize environmental consequences of human activity. This approach uniquely combines his mountaineering passion with computational rigor to address ecological awareness through technology.

Recent publications demonstrate consistent innovation in terrain analysis, digital nature rendering, and environmental simulation across top venues like SIGGRAPH and Eurographics, with emerging focus on open-sourcing tools for broader scientific impact.

Scientific Awards:

• Maria Zambrano research fellowship (2022)
• R3 accreditation by Agencia Estatal de Investigación (2025)
• Accreditation of research by AQU (2025)

He actively supervises students evidenced by the 2025 Eurographics Spanish Chapter Best BSc Thesis award for "Interactive viewer of natural scenes with hiking trails in Unity" and multiple master's theses converted to conference papers. As co-Principal Investigator of the SENDA project (funded by Ministerio de Ciencia e Innovación), he leads a team developing novel algorithms for virtual human simulation and terrain degradation modeling, with two postdoc positions recently advertised to expand this research.

His work operates within UPC's Barcelona School of Informatics research ecosystem and the SENDA project team, which develops both VR applications for immersive environmental education and web-based tools for public engagement with terrain degradation phenomena.