معرفی
Pedro Lopes is an Associate Professor in the Department of Computer Science at the University of Chicago, where he leads the Human Computer Integration Lab. He has been advancing research at the intersection of human-computer interaction, wearable computing, and bodily-integrated interfaces since joining the university in 2019.
Dr. Lopes received his PhD from the Hasso Plattner Institute under Prof. Patrick Baudisch, with his dissertation earning the Best Dissertation Award from the University of Potsdam. His academic journey reflects a consistent focus on innovative approaches to human-computer interaction that challenge traditional paradigms of user control and device design.
Lopes' research vision centers on interactive devices that integrate with the user's body – a natural evolution beyond conventional wearables. His lab engineers interfaces that directly connect with users' physiological systems through electrical muscle stimulation (EMS) and other bodily-integrated approaches. This methodology enables compact, powerful interfaces that borrow parts of the user's body as input/output hardware, resulting in devices that are exceptionally small while implementing fundamentally new interaction models. Recent extensions have expanded to novel ways of interfacing with users' senses of temperature, smell, and rich-touch sensations. His research also addresses critical societal challenges in sustainable computing and e-waste reduction, exploring how novel computer interfaces can promote attitude change and reduce electronic waste.
Analysis of Dr. Lopes' recent publications reveals a strong trajectory across multiple sensory modalities (touch, temperature, smell, taste, breathing) while maintaining a coherent research vision. A notable trend is the expansion from isolated technical demonstrations to holistic explorations of how these interfaces affect users' sense of agency, mental workload, and overall experience, with increasing emphasis on sustainable computing applications.
- Best Dissertation Award, University of Potsdam
- Sloan Fellow (2022)
- NSF CAREER award (2021)
- 7 Best Paper Awards at major conferences
- Multiple Best Demo and Honorable Mention Awards
Dr. Lopes has mentored numerous researchers in the Human Computer Integration Lab, with many advisees becoming prominent contributors in HCI. His research is supported by significant grants including the NSF CAREER award and Sloan Fellowship. The lab brings together interdisciplinary researchers to explore bodily-integrated interfaces with strong collaborations across neuroscience departments and industry partners, focusing on advancing precision and usability while addressing societal challenges like e-waste reduction.
