Wesley Willett is an Associate Professor in the Department of Computer Science at the University of Calgary, holding the NSERC CRC II Chair in Visual Analytics. His primary research focuses on information visualization, human-computer interaction, and new media applications. He leads the Data Experience Lab and Interactions Lab, exploring innovative methods for data representation and interaction in augmented/virtual reality environments. Education includes a B.S. in Computer Science from the University of Colorado (2006) and a Ph.D. in Computer Science from UC Berkeley (2012). His work bridges technical innovation with user-centered design principles, emphasizing ethical considerations in data visualization and inclusive representation. Key research contributions include: spatial visualization techniques for large environments, gesture-based interfaces for AR/VR, and physical data representations through projects like Cetonia (swarm robotics visualization) and Data Embroidery. His work has been recognized with Best Paper awards at CHI 2015 and Pervasive 2010. Current research emphasizes immersive analytics, wearable visualization systems, and demographically diverse anthropographics. He collaborates with urban designers, neurologists, and environmental scientists to apply visualization in diverse domains like epilepsy surgery planning and air quality monitoring.
Dr. Yelda Turkan is an Associate Professor in the School of Civil and Construction Engineering at Oregon State University, where she leads research in automation, computer vision, and machine learning for sustainable infrastructure. She holds a PhD from the University of Waterloo and dual BS degrees in Civil Engineering and Geomatics Engineering from Istanbul Technical University. Her work focuses on leveraging lidar, digital twins, and BIM to improve construction operations and decision-making in the built environment. She has secured over $4M in grants from NSF, FHWA, and other agencies, and currently leads the NSF Convergence Accelerator-funded 'Deep Reality' project for AI-driven infrastructure management. Education: Ph.D., Civil Engineering, University of Waterloo, 2012 M.S., Engineering Informatics & Remote Sensing, Istanbul Technical University, 2006 B.S., Civil Engineering (double major in Geomatics Engineering), Istanbul Technical University, 2005/2003 Professional Roles: Vice President, International Association for Automation and Robotics in Construction (IAARC) Chair, ASCE Computing Division Education Committee Associate Editor, ASCE OPEN Journal Her research emphasizes automation in construction quality control, infrastructure inspection via drones and lidar, and immersive education tools using VR/AR. Recent projects include automated curb ramp compliance analysis, wildfire impact modeling, and digital twin development for timber structures. She has published over 80 peer-reviewed articles and actively promotes computing integration in civil engineering education and professional practice.
Arie E. Kaufman is a Distinguished Professor in the Department of Computer Science at Stony Brook University, serving as Chief Scientist of the Center of Excellence in Wireless and Information Technology (CEWIT) and Director of the Center of Visual Computing (CVC). He additionally holds a Distinguished Professorship in Radiology, with a 40+ year career at Stony Brook since joining in 1985 and chairing the CS department from 1999-2009. His seminal research spans computer graphics, visualization, and virtual reality with biomedical applications, pioneering breakthroughs including 3D Virtual Colonoscopy (FDA-approved colon cancer screening), Cube hardware architectures (commercialized as VolumePro), the Reality Deck (1.5 billion-pixel immersive display), and foundational work in volume visualization. His interests focus on real-time rendering, medical imaging, and immersive analytics, with recent work integrating machine learning for healthcare and environmental risk visualization. Recent publications demonstrate continued leadership in high-resolution immersive displays (Silo), XR analytics with LLMs, storm surge visualization, and neural reconstruction techniques. His work bridges theoretical innovation with practical applications, particularly in pancreatic cancer prognosis and disaster preparedness. Major honors include: IEEE Visualization Career Award (2005) Fellow of the National Academy of Inventors (2017) ACM Fellow (2009) IEEE Fellow (1998) Long Island Technology Hall of Fame (2013) European Academy of Sciences membership (2002) As PI on 100+ research grants, Kaufman's work has generated 300+ refereed papers, 40+ patents, and extensive media coverage (New York Times, Science, Wall Street Journal). He leads the Center of Visual Computing with focus on translational research, including VolVis software (5,000+ installations) and Reality Deck deployments for big data analytics. His lab develops cutting-edge visualization infrastructure for medical diagnostics and environmental modeling, with current projects advancing immersive storm surge analytics, neural structure extraction, and VR-based risk communication systems. Future work emphasizes AI-enhanced visualization for precision medicine and climate resilience planning.
Pere-Pau Vázquez is an Assistant Professor in AI for Visual Computing at the Computer Vision Lab, TU Wien, Austria . Previously, he held academic positions at the ViRVIG Group and Facultat d'Informàtica de Barcelona (UPC) , where he taught courses in Programming, Computer Graphics, and Visualization for over 20 years. His research focuses on Information Visualization, Scientific Visualization, Medical Data Visualization, Molecular Visualization, and AI applications to Visual Computing . Current Teaching : Data Visualization, Fast Realistic Rendering, Information Visualization, Medical Images, Scientific Visualization, Virtual Reality, and 3D Medical Visualization. Former PhD Students : Elena Molina, Alexandra Cortez, Jesús Díaz, Pedro Hermosilla, Eva Monclús. His scientific awards include the Best PhD Thesis Award (UPC, 2003), Best Student Paper Award (SPIE, 2012), and Best Paper Award (International Conference on Computer Graphics Theory and Applications, 2013). Recent publications explore AI integration in biomedical visualization, molecular data analysis, and interactive techniques for volume rendering. He serves on the EuroGraphics Executive Board as Secretary and is active in steering committees for EuroVis and Visual Computing for Biology and Medicine . His work bridges Computer Graphics, Artificial Intelligence, and Human-Computer Interaction , with applications in medical and molecular data analysis.
Edward Lank was a Professor at the Cheriton School of Computer Science, University of Waterloo, and held an Inria International Research Chair at Inria Lille-Nord Europe (2019–2023). His research focused on Human-Computer Interaction (HCI), including intelligent user interfaces, mobile/multi-touch interaction, gesture recognition, and mathematical software design. He earned a BSc from the University of Prince Edward Island and a PhD from Queen's University. Research Highlights: Pioneered work on gesture-based interaction, including MathBrush for mathematical expression recognition. Explored large-display interaction, powerwall design, and mass user engagement with public displays. Investigated kinematics of user input, endpoint prediction, and mode inference in interfaces. Collaborated on persuasive technology for energy demand management and health-related serious games. Awards & Recognition: National Science Foundation Career Award (2004) Best of CHI Nominee (2008) Inria International Research Chair (2019–2023) Grants & Funding: Supported by Google, NSERC, GRAND NCE, and the ORF Program. His research addressed challenges in wearable tech, VR/AR, and sustainable HCI practices. Legacy: Edward Lank passed away on March 21, 2022. His contributions to HCI, including foundational work on gesture recognition and user-centered design, continue to influence the field. His courses, such as CS 889 (HCI Seminar) and CS 449 (HCI Fundamentals), emphasized user-centered design and empirical methods.
Andrea Stevenson Won is a researcher at Cornell University in the Department of Communication , focusing on virtual reality (VR), human-computer interaction, and social dynamics in immersive environments. Her work explores avatar embodiment , nonverbal behavior , and accessibility in VR for users with disabilities. Research Themes : Virtual embodiment and its psychological effects Accessibility solutions for blind and low-vision users in social VR Nonverbal communication analysis in immersive environments Pro-social behavior through VR interventions Collaborative VR systems and AI integration Recent Article Trends : 2024: Investigated avatar behavior transformation in mixed reality ( MRTransformer ), AI-guided accessibility tools, and nonverbal cue adaptations 2023-2022: Focused on educational VR applications, 360° video narratives, and longitudinal team dynamics 2021-2014: Pioneered avatar embodiment studies, anxiety detection via movement tracking, and homuncular flexibility in VR
Dr. Oscar Meruvia-Pastor is a faculty member in the Department of Computer Science at Memorial University of Newfoundland, within the Faculty of Science. He holds a B.Sc. from ITESM-Monterrey, Mexico, an M.Sc. from the University of Alberta, and a Ph.D. from Otto-von-Guericke Universität Magdeburg, Germany. His research focuses on interactive 3D graphics, non-photorealistic rendering, and biomedical visualization, with applications in telepresence systems, augmented reality (AR), and virtual reality (VR). He has developed tools like OMARC for respiratory condition training and GeNET for gene co-expression network analysis. Dr. Meruvia-Pastor has supervised numerous graduate students and contributed to over 50 publications. His work includes evaluating stereo correspondence methods in AR, robot arm manipulation via depth sensors, and smartphone integration in immersive VR. He has been recognized with awards such as the Best HCI Poster at Graphics Interface 2014 and a semi-finalist poster at SIGGRAPH 2015. He teaches courses in computer science, including computer graphics, multimedia development, and introductory science modules. His research lab focuses on 3D telepresence, medical visualization, and human-centered VR/AR solutions. His academic contributions span software tools for medical imaging analysis, interactive visualization systems, and educational technologies. He actively collaborates with health professionals to advance telemedicine and remote procedural training through AR platforms. His work bridges computer graphics with real-world applications in healthcare, education, and environmental advocacy.
Mark D. Gross is a Professor of Computer Science and Director of the ATLAS Institute at the University of Colorado Boulder, where he leads an interdisciplinary hub for creativity and invention. His academic journey began at MIT with BS and PhD degrees, followed by faculty roles at Carnegie Mellon University (2004-2013), University of Washington Seattle (1999-2004), and CU-Boulder (1990-1999, 2014-present). As co-founder of Modular Robotics Incorporated and Blank Slate Systems LLC, he bridges academia and entrepreneurship. Education: BS and PhD in Computer Science from MIT Gross’ research spans design methods, modular robotics, computational design tools, and tangible interaction. He pioneered sketch recognition software like 'The Electronic Cocktail Napkin' and explores physical computing through projects such as shape-changing interfaces, interactive construction kits, and augmented reality systems. His work integrates IoT, digital fabrication, and educational technology. Recent publications highlight innovations in AR/VR collaboration, shape-changing robotics, and interactive fabrication. Key themes include climate communication through data physicalization, AI-driven creative systems, and soft robotics for dynamic interfaces. Despite no explicit awards listed, his career demonstrates sustained impact through ACM conference leadership (Creativity and Cognition 2009, TEI 2011) and industry partnerships. Gross’ prior industry experience includes positions at Atari Cambridge Research and Logo Computer Systems. His lab at ATLAS fosters radical creativity through projects like PaperMech, DynaBlock, and WearAir, emphasizing hands-on learning and cross-disciplinary experimentation.
Professor Daniel Catchpoole serves as Deputy Head of School (Research) at the School of Computer Science, University of Technology Sydney (UTS), holding dual appointments at UTS and The Children's Hospital at Westmead. With over 20 years of research experience, he bridges computational sciences and pediatric cancer research through the Biomedical Data Science Lab in the Australian Artificial Intelligence Institute. His work integrates data analytics, artificial intelligence, and software development with molecular cancer biology to transform pediatric cancer treatment pathways. PhD in Cancer Cell Biology, University of New South Wales (1991-1995) Founding Fellow, Royal College of Pathologists Australasia (2010-present) Head, Children's Hospital at Westmead Tumour Bank (2001-present) Professor Catchpoole's research focuses on translational applications of genomics in childhood cancers, particularly acute lymphoblastic leukemia and neuroblastoma. His work combines high-throughput genomic technologies with advanced computational analysis to develop systems biology approaches for cancer patient assessment. Recent projects explore virtual reality applications for complex genomic data visualization and copper chelation therapies to enhance neuroblastoma immunotherapy. His research has received significant funding from Cancer Institute NSW, Sony Foundation, ARC, and NHMRC. His publication record spans biomedical data science, cancer genomics, and virtual reality applications in oncology. Recent work demonstrates leadership in 3D latent diffusion models for tumor segmentation, biobank economics, and innovative immunotherapies. His research consistently addresses the critical need for actionable knowledge from complex multidimensional biomedical data. Editorial Board Member, Cancers (2023) Associate Editor, Innovations in Digital Health, Diagnostics and Biomarkers (2019) Founding member and first President, Australasian Biospecimens Network Association Professor Catchpoole has supervised 17 Honours students (including 6 First Class Honours), 3 MSc students, and 12 PhD candidates across multiple institutions, with 6 current PhD students. His collaborative research bridges UTS's Faculty of Engineering and IT with The Children's Cancer Research Unit at The Children's Hospital at Westmead. Significant research funding includes Cancer Institute NSW grants, Sony Foundation VR projects, and ARC Discovery Projects focused on genomic data analysis and clinical decision support systems. His leadership extends to building frameworks for translational research, managing biobanks and clinical data linkages, and navigating governance requirements for cancer research. The Tumour Bank at Kids Research, CCRU, represents his long-standing commitment to pediatric cancer infrastructure development.
Prof. Dr. Harald Reiterer is a leading researcher in Human-Computer Interaction at the University of Konstanz, where he has served as Professor since 2009. His academic journey includes a Ph.D. (1991) and habilitation (1995) from the University of Vienna, followed by roles including Senior Researcher at Fraunhofer FIT and Associate Professor at Konstanz. He currently holds multiple leadership roles: Dean of the Faculty of Sciences , Senator of Section 1 , and Consulting Dean . Ph.D. in Computer Science (University of Vienna, 1991) Venia Legendi (Habilitation) in HCI (University of Vienna, 1995) His research focuses on: Interaction Design for mixed reality environments Information Visualization in immersive contexts Hybrid User Interfaces combining physical and virtual elements 3D Object Manipulation in handheld AR Behavioral Analytics through mHealth interventions Recent work explores: Avatar representation in Augmented Reality (2024) Node selection efficiency in Virtual Reality (2024) Peripheral vision toolkits for Head-Mounted Displays (2023) Hybrid interface optimization for Mixed Reality (2023) Smartphone AR extensions for Spatial Memory (2023) Key scientific contributions: Landeslehrpreis 2021 for interdisciplinary exhibition design Development of Colibri cross-reality toolkit (2023) Foundational work on Re-locations for remote collaboration (2022) He leads numerous projects including: SMARTACT (Smart Mobility, 2015-2023) SFB TRR 161 (2009-2027) on XR interface measurement Blended Library (2011-2015) for future library design
Nicole Smith is a Lecturer in Museum Education at the University of Glasgow's School of Education, specializing in museum education and the intersection of digital humanities with heritage studies. She currently serves as Acting Depute Lead for the CLIP RTG and co-leads the Clippings events programme. Her research focuses on participatory methodologies in community archaeology, co-design approaches in museum partnerships, and the impact of creative practices in heritage interpretation. She has led projects such as the Glencoe Project and the Dear Green Bothy evaluation initiative, emphasizing co-creative practices and digital technologies. She holds roles in the AHRC Peer Review College and UKRI Early Career Researcher Network. Nicole has extensive experience in field archaeology, museum collaborations, and digital heritage projects, including VR/AR applications for cultural exhibits. Her work often integrates experimental methods to bridge academic research and public engagement. Her research interests include community-driven heritage recording, the Anthropocene's influence on archaeological narratives, and the evaluation of arts-based interventions. Nicole has collaborated with organizations like the National Trust, York Museums Trust, and Indigenous communities in digitization projects. She is actively involved in supervising PhD students exploring topics like digital archives, museum education, and participatory design. Nicole’s recent projects include the AHRC-funded DiNAR initiative, which explored immersive storytelling in museums, and the Discovering England’s Burial Spaces project, funded by Historic England. She has published widely on digital heritage, co-edited key handbooks, and contributed to exhibitions such as the British Museum’s Viking Legacy exhibition. Her work emphasizes ethical and participatory approaches to cultural heritage, ensuring marginalized voices are included in co-design processes.
Mario Romero is an Associate Professor in Visualization at the Department of Computational Science and Technology (CST), KTH Royal Institute of Technology. He leads the InfraVis national research infrastructure for data visualization and is a Digital Futures Faculty member. His roles include national technical manager of InfraVis, member of the Executive Committee of Digital Futures, and Associate Director for Seminars & Workshops. Education: PhD in Computer Science (Georgia Tech, 2009), MSc in Computer Science (UIUC, 2001), and dual BSc degrees in Industrial Engineering and Construction Engineering (Universidad San Francisco de Quito, 1996). He is a Fulbright Scholar from Ecuador and holds postdoctoral experience at Uppsala University. Research focuses on Human-Computer Interaction, Visualization, and Ubiquitous Computing. Key projects include: TENT: Technology-Enhanced Neurosurgical Training VisBac: Visualizing airborne bacteria in ORs PSP: Platform for Smart People (autism support) SMART: Predictive maintenance in pharmaceuticals Homo Colossus: Energy footprint visualization Awards: Selected for IVA's 100 research2business projects (2021). Co-founded BrailleTouch (blind-friendly keyboard) and Anymaker (3D sketching app). Supervised students in C-Awards-winning projects (e.g., Yue Liu's thesis defense in 2024). Teaching: Responsible for courses like Information Visualization (DH2321) and Advanced Graphics & Interaction (DH2413). Active in organizing conferences (e.g., Eurographics 2020 Education Track Chair).
Wang Yingji is a tenured professor and doctoral supervisor at the School of Art and Media, Tongji University. He holds a PhD in Literary Studies and has served as director of the China Culture and Art Communication Research Center, member of the China Artists Association, and editorial board member of "Media Criticism" journal. BA: Chinese Language and Literature, Renmin University of China (1995) MA: Journalism, Beijing Normal University (2004) PhD: Literary Studies, Beijing Normal University (2007) His research focuses on the intersections between Journalism and Communication, Media Phenomenology, Philosophy of Technology, and Traditional Chinese Culture. His work explores embodied cognition in media interaction, technological mediation of human perception, and historical epistemology of media systems. The articles demonstrate his expertise in media phenomenology (Hubert Dreyfus analysis), digital reading behavior studies, VR technology ideologies, and historical reconstruction of Chinese communication theories. His publications span from 2016-2022 with consistent CSSCI indexing. National Social Science Fund General Project: "Chinese Modern Public Opinion Thought History" (2021) Major Project Subtopic: "Chinese Media Archaeology in Civilizational Diversity" (2020) Ministry of Education Project: "Husserl's Media and Communication Thought" (2020) Completed NSFC Project: "Rumor Propagation and Governance in Public Emergencies" (2011) As educator, he teaches courses like "Chinese Classical Media Art", "Media Research Methods", and "Communication Theory". His administrative roles include leadership positions in the Chinese Society of Journalism History and multiple journal editorial boards.
Dieter Uckelmann serves as Professor of Information Logistics and Scientific Director of the Institute for Applied Research at Stuttgart University of Applied Sciences (HFT Stuttgart). He holds multiple leadership positions including Spokesperson for the research focus 'Smart Technologies, Processes and Methods' at HFT Stuttgart since March 2023 and Scientific Director of the Institute for Applied Research since September 2023. His academic journey began with mechanical engineering studies in Braunschweig, followed by doctoral research at the University of Bremen focusing on 'Quantifying the Value of RFID and the EPCglobal Architecture Framework in Logistics.' Uckelmann's research spans Internet of Things applications across Industry 4.0, logistics, smart buildings, and smart cities, with significant contributions to educational technology including learning analytics and AI in teaching. His work bridges technical innovation with practical implementation, particularly in digital transformation of laboratories and smart city infrastructure. He has led numerous research projects including KNIGHT (AI for teaching), InDeckLe (earth composite ceiling systems), iCity initiatives, and DigiLab4U (online laboratories). His publication record shows a clear progression from foundational RFID and IoT research toward emerging technologies like the Industrial Metaverse, 5G applications, and AI-driven educational systems. Recent work demonstrates strong integration of physical and digital systems, particularly in urban environments and educational contexts, with increasing emphasis on sustainability and energy efficiency applications. Co-editor of International Journal of RF-Technologies: Research and Applications Member of PhD Association BW, Research Unit III Computer Science and Electrical Engineering Mentor in the HAWCareer mentoring program Program Committee Member for IEEE RFID, IEEE/ITMC, AIET, and other major conferences Associate Editor for Journal of Online and Biomedical Engineering Professor Uckelmann actively mentors students and researchers, with his team contributing to projects across smart city infrastructure, digital learning platforms, and industrial IoT applications. He leads the Industrie 4.0 Laboratory which focuses on industrial IoT applications, digital twins, and the industrial metaverse, with research spanning RFID, RTLS, wireless sensor networks, AR/VR, and IoT architectures. His work extends to international collaborations including visiting professorships at Auburn University and the University of Parma.
Yingying Wang is an Assistant Professor in the Computing and Software department at McMaster University , where she joined in January 2022. Her research focuses on generating expressive animations for AR/VR applications and games through interdisciplinary approaches combining Computer Graphics , Artificial Intelligence , and Human Behavior Analysis . Education : Bachelor and Master degrees from Nanjing University , Ph.D. from University of California, Davis (2017) Her research explores: Generative models for human motion style transfer Physics-based motion simulation Audio-driven character synthesis Dance choreography for virtual characters Cartoon animation perception Conversational character gesture synthesis Markerless hand motion capture Recent publications focus on 3D hand pose estimation , motion style transfer , gesture-locomotion coordination , and personality perception in virtual agents . Key methodologies include deep learning , multimodal data analysis , and real-time animation systems . Scientific contributions recognized through: $240,000 Labarge Catalyst Grant in Mobility in Aging (interdisciplinary team award) US Patent 10,796,482 (3D hand pose estimation) US Patent 9,811,937 (gesture-locomotion coordination) Teaching includes graduate and undergraduate courses in Computer Animation (CAS 737), Computer Graphics (COMPSCI 3GC3/SFWRENG 3GC3), and Software Development (COMPSCI 2ME3). Research group actively recruits Ph.D. and Master's students in graphics + deep learning domains.
