Dr. Fariba Mostajeran is a Researcher at the Human-Computer Interaction research group within the Department of Informatics at the University of Hamburg. Her interdisciplinary work bridges computer science, psychology, and environmental science to investigate the psycho- and physiological effects of immersive media on users across different age groups, with particular focus on therapeutic applications of virtual and augmented realities. Her educational background includes: B.Sc. in Computer Engineering-Software from the University of Isfahan (Iran) M.Sc. in Digital Media from the Universität Bremen Ph.D. in Human-Computer Interaction at the Universität Hamburg Dr. Mostajeran's research centers on Medical Mixed Reality , Digital Health , and Human-Computer Interaction , with emphasis on how virtual environments can enhance cognitive performance, psychological well-being, and therapeutic outcomes. She systematically investigates the impact of virtual nature exposure on memory, attention, and mood, developing applications for mental health treatment, rehabilitation, and workplace design. Her methodological approach combines controlled experiments with user-centered design to create effective immersive interventions. Analysis of her recent publications reveals three major research thrusts: (1) the therapeutic applications of virtual nature for mental health and cognitive enhancement, (2) the development and evaluation of intelligent virtual agents for healthcare applications, and (3) understanding the cognitive and physiological mechanisms underlying user responses to immersive environments. Her work increasingly focuses on multimodal interaction with virtual agents and their implementation in clinical settings. Her scholarly contributions have been recognized through: Ideas and Venture Fund (IVF), Universität Hamburg, 2024-2025 EXIST-Gründerstipendium (EXIST Founder Scholarship), 2014-2015 Deutschlandstipendium (German Scholarship), 2012-2013 Dr. Mostajeran has supervised over 30 master's and bachelor's theses focusing on virtual reality applications across diverse domains including mental health interventions, cognitive training, and therapeutic environments. Her research has received support from university innovation funds and national scholarship programs. She serves on multiple academic committees including professorship selection committees and examination boards, contributing significantly to institutional governance. Her active participation in major conferences as program committee member and reviewer demonstrates her standing in the HCI and VR research communities. She works within the Human-Computer Interaction research group at the University of Hamburg led by Prof. Dr. Steinicke, which maintains strong connections with clinical partners and industry collaborators to translate research findings into practical healthcare applications. The group's facilities include state-of-the-art VR laboratories equipped for comprehensive user studies measuring both behavioral and physiological responses.
