University of Applied Sciences Wiener NeustadtAustria
Cornelia Schneider is a Professor and Head of the Institute of Computer Science at the University of Applied Sciences Wiener Neustadt. She leads research in digital health and care technologies, focusing on applications like Augmented Reality, sensor data analysis, and social robotics for vulnerable populations. Her work emphasizes user-centered design and has been supported by projects funded by FFG and the Active Assisted Living Programme. Her research spans telemedicine infrastructure, elderly care robotics, and health monitoring systems. Notable projects include 24/7-Digital (2023-2026), Care about Care (2021-2023), and AgeWell (2019-2022). She has pioneered solutions like CARU cares and DigiCare training programs. Dr. Schneider has been recognized with the AAL Award (2014) and the tecnet | accent Innovation Award (2021). She coordinates interdisciplinary teams and actively participates in conferences like Health Informatics Meets Digital Health. Her lab collaborations include FOTEC and Salzburg Research, where she previously led the e-Health Competence Center until 2019.
Johanna Pirker serves as an Associate Professor at the Institute of Human-Centred Computing, Graz University of Technology, where she holds teaching authorization in Applied Computer Science. Her work bridges academic research with practical applications in interactive technologies, maintaining active consultation hours for students every Monday morning. Her research centers on human-centered computing with emphases on virtual/augmented reality systems, serious game design, and AI-driven interactive experiences. She investigates player behavior, user experience optimization, and therapeutic/educational applications of immersive technologies across diverse contexts including rehabilitation, engineering education, and social platforms. Recent 2025 publications reveal strong trends in AI integration for gaming ecosystems (toxicity detection, dialogue systems), VR-based educational tools across disciplines, and cross-cultural analyses of gaming communities. Her work consistently combines experimental user studies with novel system development to address real-world challenges. While specific grant details and student advising records aren't documented in source materials, her extensive publication output across venues like FDG and iLRN indicates active leadership in interdisciplinary collaborations focused on advancing immersive technologies for societal benefit.
Marc Pollefeys is a Full Professor of Computer Science at ETH Zurich and Director of the Microsoft Mixed Reality and AI Zurich Lab. He has held roles such as Visiting Professor at Stanford University (2007) and Assistant/Associate Professor at UNC-Chapel Hill (2002–2009). His research focuses on 3D computer vision, robotics, machine learning, and augmented reality. Education: PhD in Computer Science from KU Leuven (1999), followed by postdoctoral research there until 2002. He transitioned to academic roles at UNC-Chapel Hill before joining ETH Zurich in 2007. Research interests include 3D reconstruction, visual localization, SLAM, and applications in archaeology, urban modeling, and robotics. Notable projects include real-time 3D scanning, city-scale reconstruction, and autonomous vision-based drones. Key awards include ACM Fellow (2022), IEEE Fellow (2012), and ERC Starting Grant (2008). He advises numerous PhD students and collaborates with institutions like Google and Microsoft. Labs and teams: Leads the Computer Vision and Geometry (CVG) lab at ETH Zurich and directs the Microsoft Mixed Reality and AI Lab. His work bridges academia and industry, focusing on perception for mixed reality and autonomous systems.
Prof. Hermann Hellwagner is a Full Professor at the Department of Information Technology, University of Klagenfurt. He has held roles such as Vice President (Natural and Technical Sciences) at the Austrian Science Fund (FWF) and Vice Dean of the Faculty of Technical Sciences. His research focuses on multimedia communication, network engineering, and future internet architectures. Notable projects include work on adaptive streaming, edge computing, and drone networks. He holds a Ph.D. in Systolic Architectures from the University of Linz (1988). Research interests span distributed multimedia systems, information-centric networking (ICN), and optimizing video streaming quality-of-experience (QoE). Recent work emphasizes edge computing solutions for low-latency streaming and dynamic codec adaptation. His contributions include frameworks like ALPHAS and MEDUSA for bitrate optimization, and studies on point cloud streaming in augmented reality. Publications (2021–2025) highlight advancements in edge-assisted streaming, hybrid P2P-CDN architectures, and transcoding techniques. His work often bridges theoretical models with real-world implementations, addressing challenges in latency, cost, and device adaptability. Current projects involve 6DoF video streaming and multi-robot system optimization. Labs/Teams: Part of the Institute of Information Technology (ITEC), Klagenfurt. Collaborates on EU-funded projects and industry partnerships in 5G edge computing and drone networks. Active in standards groups for HTTP adaptive streaming protocols.
Matteo Bosco is a PreDoc Researcher at the Department of Software Technology and Interactive Systems, TU Wien, within the Virtual and Augmented Reality group. His work focuses on advancing human-computer interaction in immersive environments, particularly through conversational agents, neurotechnology integration, and circular economy frameworks. He contributes to the Circular Twin research project, addressing sustainable building design through digital twins and generative algorithms. Education & Roles: PreDoc Researcher (PhD candidate) at TU Wien Research Interests: His primary areas include: VR/AR interfaces enhanced by large language models BCI-driven human-robot interaction systems Procedural building design using conversational AI Sustainable architecture via circular twin frameworks He explores how immersive technologies can bridge human-centric design with computational efficiency, emphasizing accessibility and environmental sustainability. Key Projects: Circular Twin (2022–2025): Developing digital ecosystems for circular buildings using BIM and VR. Neurotag Visualization Media: Comparing AR/VR/monitor-based BCI interfaces. Labs & Teams: Active in the Mixed Reality Lab and collaborates with the Virtual Meeting Room initiative at TU Wien.
Peter Mohr-Ziak is a researcher affiliated with both the Institute of Computer Graphics and Vision at the University of Technology Graz (TU Graz) and VRVis Forschungs GmbH. His primary focus areas include Augmented Reality (AR) and Mixed Reality (MR) systems, specifically in the domains of AR visualization, content generation for AR, and head-mounted display (HMD) technologies. He is actively involved in projects with AVL List GmbH in addition to his academic research. Academic Rank: Researcher at TU Graz Education: Telematics, TU Graz Peter's research interests center on creating interactive AR systems with applications in industrial assembly, remote assistance, and education. His work spans technical aspects of AR visualization and practical implementations for skill training (e.g., guitar tutorials) and complex tasks like maxillofacial surgery. He investigates spatial rendering techniques, adaptive perspective models, and light field applications in mixed reality environments. Recent research trends include: 2024: Expanding into human-robot interaction and AR affordance templates 2023: Developing interactive guitar tutorials and state-aware configuration detection systems 2022: Advancing focus cues in video see-through MR and assembly instruction authoring 2019-2020: Improving HMD interaction with TrackCap and light field remote assistance 2017: Creating adaptive perspective rendering and video tutorial retargeting systems Scientific recognition includes: 2021: ISMAR Best Conference Paper 2017: CHI Best Paper Honorable Mention He contributes to projects at TU Graz's Institute of Computer Graphics and Vision, including collaborations with VRVis Forschungs GmbH and AVL List GmbH, while maintaining personal interests in photography and drone flying.
Hsiang-Yun Wu is a Research Fellow at the Computer Graphics department of Vienna University of Technology (TU Wien), actively contributing to information visualization and visual analytics. Her work spans biological network visualization, graph drawing, schematic network maps, and data physicalization, with a focus on interactive techniques and human-centric design. Projects: ArtVis (2022–2027) , SANE (2024–2027) , SMGV-Esprit (2024–2027) , and HumAlgo (2018–2023) . Affiliations: Member of the Visualization Group at TU Wien. Her recent publications emphasize uncertainty visualization, network physicalization, and dynamic graph representations. Notably, she received the EuroVis 2019 Honorable Mention Award for optimizing stepwise animations. Wu supervises diploma theses in areas like metabolic pathway visualization and semantic-aware character animation. Key research trends include integrating biological data with urban-style schematic maps ( Metabopolis ), physicalization workflows for anatomical education ( Slice and Dice ), and mixed labeling strategies in 3D environments.
Dieter Schmalstieg is the Alexander von Humboldt Professor of Visual Computing at the University of Stuttgart and an adjunct professor at Graz University of Technology. He leads research in augmented reality (AR), virtual reality (VR), and visualization, with contributions to tracking, rendering, and medical applications. His work spans academia and industry, with over 400 publications and numerous awards, including the IEEE ISMAR Career Impact Award and Fellow of the IEEE. Education: PhD (1997), Habilitation (2001) from Vienna University of Technology. Research: Focuses on AR/VR systems, medical visualization, and real-time graphics. Key projects include the Christian Doppler Laboratory for Handheld AR and collaborations with Qualcomm and VRVis. Awards: START Prize (2002), IEEE Technical Achievement Award (2012), Humboldt Professorship (2023). His teaching includes courses on computer graphics, VR, and real-time rendering. He has advised over 30 PhD students, many of whom hold academic or industry leadership roles. Current research explores situated analytics, mixed reality telepresence (MRUnion), and AR applications in mining and medicine (MiReBooks).
Christian Schönauer is a PostDoc Researcher at TU Wien's Department of Virtual and Augmented Reality. His work focuses on advanced AR/VR applications in emergency response training, construction quality assurance, and healthcare rehabilitation. He leads the BIMCheck project (2021–2024), developing smart BIM-real building comparison systems. Notable research includes immersive training systems for first responders, wireless VR platforms like ImmersiveDeck, and AR frameworks for distributed collaboration. Education: PhD in Computer Science (2015, TU Wien) and MSc in Technical Mathematics. His projects have been funded by FFG (Austrian Research Promotion Agency), OEAD, and EU Commission grants. Research highlights include: Development of photogrammetry-based autonomous robots for 3D reconstruction Integration of BIM models with AR for construction site inspections VR training systems for CBRN defense and fire brigade operations Human-robot interaction studies in hazardous environments He has supervised 12 diploma theses on topics ranging from laser tracking systems to motion capture rehabilitation tools. Active in international conferences like IEEE VR and ISMAR, his work bridges academic research with practical industry applications in construction safety and emergency preparedness.
Eduard Gröller is a Full Professor of Visualization at the Vienna University of Technology (TU Wien), leading the Research Unit of Computer Graphics and the Visualization Group within the Institute of Visual Computing & Human-Centered Technology (VC&HCT). He holds adjunct professorships at the University of Bergen, Norway, and chairs several academic committees. His academic journey began with a PhD in 1993 from TU Wien, followed by extensive contributions to visualization research. His research focuses on visual computing, scientific visualization, and medical imaging, with applications in energy modeling, climate analysis, and molecular biology. Gröller has pioneered methods like BEMTrace for BIM-based energy models and HORA 3D for flood risk visualization. He co-authored over 300 publications, including foundational work in IEEE Transactions on Visualization and Computer Graphics and Computer Graphics Forum . Gröller's awards include the IEEE VGTC Technical Achievement Award (2019), Eurographics 2015 Outstanding Technical Contributions Award, and Fellow of the Eurographics Association (2009). He actively contributes to conferences like EuroVis and IEEE Visualization as program chair and reviewer. His educational efforts span courses in visual computing, graphics, and data analysis, with a focus on immersive tools like ImNDT for material data exploration. Current projects include Climate-Sensitive Adaptive Planning for Resilient Cities, Visual Analytics in Radiation Therapy, and scalable web-based visualization techniques. He leads teams in VRVis, a research center for applied visualization, and collaborates internationally on medical imaging and environmental data challenges.
Michael Bleyer is a Researcher in the Department of Computer Vision at the Technische Universität Wien (TU Wien), affiliated with the Faculty of Informatics. His work focuses on advanced imaging technologies, particularly in stereo matching, sensor design, and applications in augmented/mixed reality. He has contributed to projects funded by the Vienna Science and Technology Fund (WWTF), Austrian Science Fund (FWF), and the Federal Ministry of Transport, Innovation, and Technology (bm:vit). Education: Diplom-Ingenieur (Dipl.-Ing.) from TU Wien (2002), followed by a Dr.techn. (PhD) thesis on 'Segmentation-based stereo and motion with occlusions' (2006). He has supervised four students, including Armin Haßlacher (2012), Gregor Braun (2011), Roman Gross (2009), and Christian Rhemann (2005). Research Interests: Bleyer’s work bridges theoretical computer vision and practical sensor engineering. Recent trends emphasize SPAD-based imaging systems for low-light environments and head-mounted displays, addressing challenges like dark current compensation and temporal filtering. Earlier contributions include global stereo matching algorithms, optical flow estimation, and 3D scene reconstruction. Grants and Advising: Projects include Temporal-Consistent Stereo Matting (2009–2015, WWTF) Energy Functions for Global Stereo Matching (2007–2012, FWF) Video Engine Design Methodology (2006–2015, bm:vit) His advising spans topics like color in stereo matching and image filtering optimization.
Dr. Denis Kalkofen serves as an Associate Professor at the Institute of Computer Graphics and Vision (ICG) at Graz University of Technology, Austria. His academic journey began with a Dipl.-Ing. (2004) from the University of Magdeburg, followed by a Dr. techn. (2009) from Graz University of Technology. University of Magdeburg - Dipl.-Ing. (2004) Graz University of Technology - Dr. techn. (2009) University of Michigan, Ann Arbor - Virtual Reality Laboratory member Stanford University - Visiting Assistant Professor at Computational Imaging Laboratory (2019) University of South Australia - Visiting Researcher at Wearable Computer Laboratory (2019) Dr. Kalkofen's research centers on developing visualization, interaction, authoring, and display technologies for Virtual and Mixed Reality environments, with particular emphasis on combining computer graphics and computer vision techniques to create comprehensible and accessible VR/MR experiences. His work spans situated visualization (addressing label placement and X-ray visualization), photometric rendering (recovering lighting properties for realistic AR), and content creation automation (leveraging existing data sources for AR content). His publication trends over the past 15+ years demonstrate consistent leadership in AR/MR research, evolving from foundational work on visualization techniques to current cutting-edge research in neural rendering, neuroadaptive systems, and industrial AR applications. Recent work shows increased focus on practical industrial implementations, error management in AR assembly, and multimodal learning applications. Best paper award for 'enRoute: Dynamic path extraction from biological pathway maps' (2012) Best short paper for 'TutAR: Augmented Reality Tutorials for Hands-only Procedures' (2018) Best paper for 'Tools for Teaching Mining Students in Virtual Reality' (2020) Honorable Mention for Best Paper for 'Adaptive User-Perspective Rendering' (2017) Dr. Kalkofen leads Team Kalkofen at ICG, supervising researchers including Peter Mohr, Shohei Mori, David Mandl, and Ana Stanescu. His team has secured significant funding for projects related to AR/VR content creation, visualization techniques, and industrial applications. They maintain strong collaborations with institutions including Stanford University, University of South Australia, and University of Michigan. Team Kalkofen operates within the Institute of Computer Graphics and Vision at TU Graz, focusing on three main research thrusts: situated visualization for AR, photometric rendering for realistic MR, and automated content creation for professional AR applications. The team maintains active partnerships with industry and academic institutions worldwide, contributing to the advancement of practical AR/MR technologies.
Dr. Markus Tatzgern serves as Professor for Mixed Reality and Game Development and Head of Research at the Department for Creative Technologies, Salzburg University of Applied Sciences. He leads the Digital Realities Lab, a multi-disciplinary research group focused on human-centered solutions at the intersection of software, design, and creative engineering for technology interaction. His academic foundation includes a Master of Science and Doctorate with highest distinction from Graz University of Technology. He furthered his expertise through post-doctoral research at the Christian Doppler Laboratory for Handheld Augmented Reality, recognized as a world-leading facility in mobile AR. Tatzgern's research spans Augmented Reality, Virtual Reality, Mixed Reality, and Human-Computer Interaction with emphasis on practical applications. His work addresses critical challenges in view management, haptic feedback systems, industrial procedure visualization, medical imaging interfaces, and game development. Key contributions include novel techniques for eye-perspective rendering, breathing-based VR interaction, and latency compensation in medical robotics. His publication trajectory reveals evolving focus from foundational AR visualization (2010-2016) toward applied XR solutions in healthcare, industrial training, and user experience optimization (2017-2024). Recent work demonstrates increasing integration of physiological inputs, real-world safety applications, and enterprise-grade XR prototyping. Scientific recognition includes: Honorable Mention for Best Paper at CHI 2022 for 'AirRes Mask' breathing interface Honorable Mention for Best Paper at IEEE 3DUI 2017 for adaptive rendering techniques As Head of Research, Tatzgern actively shapes the field through program committee roles and peer review for top venues including ACM CHI and IEEE VR. His four patents in AR visualization demonstrate translational impact from academic research to practical applications. The Digital Realities Lab operates as an innovation hub where software engineers, designers, and creative technologists collaborate on next-generation interaction paradigms. Current projects emphasize medical XR applications, industrial training systems, and accessibility-focused AR solutions for vulnerable populations.
University of Natural Resources and Life Sciences ViennaAustria
Dr. Tim Ritter is a Senior Scientist at the Institute for Forest Growth, University of Natural Resources and Life Sciences Vienna (BOKU), with expertise in biometrics, forest inventory, and laser scanning applications. He earned his Dr. forest. ("summa cum laude") in 2014 from Georg-August-Universität Göttingen, following M.Sc. and B.Sc. degrees in Forest Ecosystem Analysis and Forestry. Research Focus: Terrestrial/Personal Laser Scanning (TLS/PLS) for forest mapping Stochastic corrections for tree non-detection Spatial statistics and 3D forest modeling Deadwood inventory and carbon storage analysis Forest road monitoring and harvesting damage detection Publications Trends: Recent work emphasizes LiDAR integration in forest inventory, automated point cloud analysis, and digital twin development for forest ecosystems. Key methods include machine learning, spatial regression, and multi-sensor data fusion for timber volume estimation and biodiversity assessment. Scientific Awards: 2014: Finding talent: Researcher Career Grant Professional Activities: Editorial Board Member for Frontiers in Forests and Global Change (2023), Topical Advisory Panel for Sustainability (2020), and active reviewer for 15+ journals including Remote Sensing and Forests . Presented 55+ lectures across 5 countries, including keynote speeches at international conferences.
University of Applied Sciences Upper AustriaAustria
Andreas Auinger is a Professor at the Digital Business Institute of the University of Applied Sciences Upper Austria. His work bridges digital transformation, retail technology, and human-computer interaction. Affiliation: University of Applied Sciences Upper Austria Role: Professor, Researcher Research Interests: His research focuses on digital business models , augmented reality shopping assistants , and omnichannel retail strategies . Key areas include sentiment analysis, knowledge transfer, and enterprise 2.0 frameworks. Primary Fields: Digital Business, Retail Technology Secondary Fields: Artificial Intelligence, Human-Computer Interaction Scientific Contributions: With over 101 publications and 6 projects (FFG, MSCA, BRIDGE), his work emphasizes innovation in retail and digital transformation. Notable trends include integrating explainable AI into physical retail and adaptive design for customer experience. Major Grants: MSCA - Marie Curie Actions, BRIDGE: Wissenschaftstransfer Collaborations: International research teams in Austria, Greece, and Portugal Awards: He has received multiple accolades including the Best Paper Award @ ICETE ICE-B 2012 , Excellence in Teaching Award 2016 , and two Best Paper Award nominations.
