Stefan Hagel is a Research Fellow at the Austrian Academy of Sciences and Privatdozent at the University of Vienna, specializing in ancient Greek and Roman music. His work bridges archaeology, philology, and digital reconstruction to analyze ancient musical instruments, notation systems, and performance practices. His research focuses on: Reconstruction of auloi (double-pipes) and hydraulis (water organs) Computational analysis of instrument acoustics Cross-cultural transmission of musical technologies Ancient harmonic theory and notation decipherment He leads major projects including Ancient Music Beyond Hellenisation (ERC Advanced Grant), Digitising Aspects of Graphical Representation in Ancient Music (FWF), and the European Music Archaeology Project . Hagel has developed specialized software for instrument analysis and serves as editor for the Journal of Music Archaeology . His publications demonstrate consistent focus on technical aspects of ancient music through interdisciplinary methodologies.
Prof. Dr.-Ing. Jochen Steffens is a faculty member at the University of Applied Sciences Düsseldorf , affiliated with the Faculty of Media . His research spans interdisciplinary domains at the intersection of music, soundscapes, and cognitive-affective processes. Research Focus : Music listening behavior, soundscapes, noise perception, music recommendation systems, film music, and the psychological effects of sounds. Teaching : Supervises final theses and offers modules aligned with examination regulations of 2018, including topics in media informatics and mixed reality applications. Technical Contributions : Develops tools for soundscape exploration (e.g., Advanced Soundscape Search) and music information retrieval (MIR) systems for live performance visualization. Methodological Expertise : Utilizes computational music analysis, experience sampling, statistical learning, and multilevel modeling to investigate situational and demographic influences on auditory perception. Applied Research : Explores the impact of room acoustics on customer satisfaction in restaurants, motivational music in sports, and semantic expression in audio branding.
Dr. George Fitzmaurice is a Research Fellow at Autodesk, leading the Human Computer Interaction and Visualization Research group. With over 120 publications and 95 patents, his work spans 25 years of innovation in interactive systems, focusing on technology-assisted learning , 3D visualization , and novel input techniques . His notable contributions include the Maya 1.0 UI and SketchBook Pro design, as well as pioneering Graspable UIs and Spatially-Aware Displays . Education : MIT (B.Sc. Math/CS), Brown (M.Sc. CS), Toronto (Ph.D. CS) His research explores immersive visualization and generative AI applications in design workflows, with recent work focusing on VR/AR tools like TimeTunnel for motion editing and WhatIF for AI-assisted narrative design. Current projects examine the intersection of large language models , 3D design systems , and collaborative environments . Key article themes include: Generative AI integration (3DALL-E, WorldSmith) Immersive motion analysis (AvatAR, VideoPoseVR) Creative workflow optimization (MoodCubes, Immersive Sampling) Privacy-aware VR systems (Vice VRsa) Scientific Recognition: 2019 - Inducted into ACM CHI Academy 2024 - Awarded ACM Fellow for computing contributions He has developed foundational interaction techniques like ViewCube™ and SteeringWheels™ , and his work continues to shape modern 3D UI paradigms and spatial computing approaches through projects like DreamSketch and Tesseract.
Nichole Kelly is an Evergreen Associate Professor at the College of Education , University of Oregon. She is affiliated with multiple departments including Counseling Psychology, Couples and Family Therapy, Family and Human Services, and Prevention Science. Postdoctoral Research Fellowship, Behavioral Health Psychology (2013-2016), Uniformed Services University and NIH PhD in Counseling Psychology (2013), Virginia Commonwealth University BA in Psychology (2004), University of Virginia Her research focuses on eating behaviors , body image , weight stigma , and chronic disease risk . She investigates cognitive and emotional mechanisms of eating behaviors linked to mental health and disease risk, using diverse methods such as test meals , ecological momentary assessments , and neuropsychological evaluations . Her work emphasizes understudied populations like men, rural communities, and ethnically/racially diverse groups. The 15 most recent articles reflect trends in health psychology , pediatric behavioral health , and culturally-informed interventions . Key subfields include disordered eating pathology , social media impacts , weight stigma reduction , and ecological frameworks . Her studies often integrate experimental designs , network analyses , and public health data . Labs & Teams : Leads The Renew Lab , focusing on health equity through psychological science. The lab develops interventions targeting systemic bias , health disparities , and culturally-sensitive practices .
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.
Stefanos Nikolaidis is a tenured Associate Professor in the Department of Computer Science at the University of Southern California (USC), where he directs the Interactive and Collaborative Autonomous Robotic Systems (ICAROS) Lab. His research focuses on enabling robots to interact robustly with humans in dynamic environments through advancements in artificial intelligence, human-robot interaction, procedural content generation, and quality diversity optimization. Education: PhD in Robotics from Carnegie Mellon University (CMU) and MS in Computer Science from MIT. The ICAROS Lab develops interactive agents for real-world tasks while creating diverse testing scenarios to enhance system robustness. Research integrates AI techniques with human-centric design principles across applications like rehabilitation robotics, collaborative manufacturing, and socially interactive embodiments. Recent publications demonstrate trends in quality diversity optimization, human-aware planning, and policy adaptation. Notable works include AutoQD for behavior discovery, CMA-MA for multi-objective optimization, and applications in hair manipulation, rehabilitation personalization, and large language model integration. Scientific Awards: NSF CAREER Award (2022). He actively shares research updates via Twitter and has contributed software tools like pyribs for quality diversity optimization. His work spans theoretical advancements in optimization algorithms and practical implementations in assistive robotics.
Jorge Camba is an Associate Professor at the School of Engineering Technology and holds a courtesy appointment in the Department of Computer Graphics Technology at Purdue University . He also serves as a Senior Research Scientist (by courtesy) in the Department of Industrial Engineering at the University of Naples Federico II , Italy. PhD in Systems and Engineering Management (Universidad Politécnica de Valencia, Spain) MSc in Digital Media (East Tennessee State University) MSc in Computer Science (Universidad de Vigo, Spain) His research explores intelligent CAD systems , digital manufacturing , and mixed reality environments , focusing on model quality assurance , design intent communication , and collaborative design tools . Recent work investigates spatial cognition in CAD education , geometric variability analysis , and annotation-driven knowledge management . Key trends in his publications include parametric modeling strategies , 3D annotation systems , and XR applications in design evaluation. Awards include the Purdue Faculty Scholar (2021) and I3B Fellow (2021). He has presented at conferences on topics like Industry 4.0 , space habitat design , and digital product quality .
Scott McCrickard is an Associate Professor at the Department of Computer Science within the College of Engineering at Virginia Tech . He serves as the Co-director of Virginia Tech's Human-Centered Design Program , integrating interdisciplinary approaches into his research and teaching. Ph.D. , Computer Science, Georgia Tech (2000) M.S. , Computer Science, Georgia Tech (1995) B.S. , Mathematical Sciences (Computer Science emphasis), University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill (1992) McCrickard’s research focuses on Human-Computer Interaction (HCI) , particularly in outdoor environments. His work explores how technology can enhance experiences in nature, including the use of smartwatches for group fitness interventions, AR mobile games for social bonding, and diary studies as pedagogical tools. He also investigates mobile application development for low-literacy populations and social media integration in design processes. Recent publications highlight trends in HCI education , outdoor technology adoption, and social gaming dynamics . Key themes include leveraging diary methods for learning, designing context-aware notification systems , and analyzing indigenous knowledge preservation through self-organized online communities. As part of his leadership in the Human-Centered Design Program, he bridges computer science with design theory , emphasizing usability and social impact in technological solutions.
Andrew T. Duchowski is a Professor at Clemson University, specializing in Eye Tracking Methodology, Human-Computer Interaction, and Computer Graphics. His work spans over two decades with significant contributions to gaze-based interaction systems, foveated rendering, and cognitive load measurement. He authored three editions of the influential textbook Eye Tracking Methodology (Springer, 2003/2007/2017). Duchowski's research integrates eye movement analysis with applications in virtual reality, medical imaging (e.g., colonography viewers), and aviation safety. He actively collaborates with institutions globally and serves on editorial boards for journals like Proceedings of the ACM on Human-Computer Interaction . His recent projects include developing real-time gaze analytics pipelines and exploring entropy-based metrics for visual attention analysis. Publications (selected 15 recent): Focus on advancing gaze interaction in immersive environments, optimizing 3D visualization, and measuring cognitive load through pupillary activity and microsaccades. Key co-authors include Krzysztof Krejtz, Matias Volonte, and Donald House.
Gemma Catolino is an Assistant Professor at the Department of Computer Science, University of Salerno, and affiliated with the Software Engineering (SeSa) Lab. She has also served as an Assistant Professor at Tilburg University and Eindhoven University of Technology through the Jheronimus Academy of Data Science from September 2022 to December 2023, and previously as a Postdoctoral Researcher at Delft University of Technology and Tilburg/Eindhoven institutions. PhD in Computer Science, University of Salerno (2020), supervised by Prof. Filomena Ferrucci MSc in Management and Information Technology, University of Salerno (2016, magna cum laude) BSc in Computer Science, University of Molise (2014) Her research centers on empirical software engineering, focusing on both technical and social aspects affecting software development. Key areas include code smells, defect prediction, testability, changeability, and the emerging concept of “Community Smells”—social dysfunctions in developer teams. She investigates how human factors, team diversity (especially gender), and developer experience influence software quality and maintenance effort, often using mining software repositories and machine learning techniques. Her recent publications span high-impact journals and conferences such as IEEE TSE, EMSE, JSS, ICSE, and ICSME, with a strong trend toward integrating social and technical metrics for just-in-time defect prediction in mobile applications, analyzing community dynamics, and applying software quality metrics to cybersecurity contexts like dark web analysis. She has also contributed to MLOps and serverless computing. She has received several honors including a DEI research grant (2020), Best Technical Paper at BENEVOL 2019, first and second place in ACM Student Research Competitions (2018, 2017), and the Best Master Thesis award from the Italian Software Metrics Association (2017). Gemma Catolino has been actively engaged in academic service as a referee for top journals like IEEE TSE, EMSE, JSS, and IST, guest editor for special issues, and program/organizing committee member for major conferences including ICSE, MSR, SANER, and MobileSoft, where she served as Program Co-Chair in 2022. She has also contributed as a teaching assistant, lecturer, and course coordinator in machine learning and software engineering courses. She leads and contributes to research projects involving international collaborations, particularly with researchers such as Prof. Filomena Ferrucci, Prof. Andy Zaidman, Prof. Willem-Jam van den Heuvel, and Prof. Alexander Serebrenik. Her work bridges empirical software engineering with practical tool development and socio-technical analysis, positioning her at the forefront of modern software engineering research.
Dr. M M Manjurul Islam is a Research Associate in Artificial Intelligence for Smart Manufacturing at Ulster University's School of Computing, Engineering and Intelligent Systems. His research focuses on applying advanced AI techniques to solve critical challenges in manufacturing systems, with particular expertise in fault diagnosis, predictive maintenance, and semiconductor production optimization. His research interests span Artificial Intelligence , Smart Manufacturing , Fault Diagnosis , Machine Learning , Deep Learning , Predictive Maintenance , and Semiconductor Manufacturing . He has made significant contributions to the application of convolutional neural networks, support vector machines, and generative adversarial networks in industrial settings, particularly for bearing fault diagnosis and wafer defect classification. Dr. Islam's recent publications (2023-2025) demonstrate a strong focus on practical AI applications in manufacturing, with multiple chapters in the Springer Series in Advanced Manufacturing. His work shows an evolving trajectory from traditional machine learning approaches to more sophisticated deep learning and explainable AI techniques, with increasing emphasis on semiconductor manufacturing challenges and trustworthy AI systems. His research contributes to UN Sustainable Development Goals, particularly in industrial innovation and infrastructure. He is an active member of professional organizations including IEEE and Advance HE, serving as Chair for both networks. According to Scopus data, Dr. Islam has accumulated 1,706 citations with an h-index of 16, reflecting the impact of his research in the field. His publication record shows consistent productivity, with research outputs spanning from 2015 to anticipated publications in 2025.
Femke De Backere is a part-time Associate Professor at Ghent University's IDLab research group (Faculty of Engineering and Architecture, Department of Information Technology) and a full-time Senior Scientist at imec. She holds a Bachelor's in Informatics and Master's in Computer Science Engineering from Ghent University, with doctoral research focused on semantic technologies and personalized healthcare systems through collaborations with intensive care units and industry partners. Her research integrates computer science, health psychology, and movement science across three primary domains: (1) developing explainable knowledge models, (2) creating personalized context-aware systems, and (3) designing engagement mechanisms like serious games and gamification. Current projects include digital interventions for cancer survivors, VR-based ecological validity platforms, and physical activity promotion in older adults. Recent publications (2020-2025) demonstrate strong focus areas: 60% address personalized health interventions using machine learning and ontologies; 30% explore virtual reality applications in clinical and behavioral contexts; and 10% examine academic systems development . Longitudinal trends show increasing emphasis on sensor-driven behavioral analytics and adaptive eHealth platforms. She leads significant research initiatives including: GRAY – Ghent University Research for Aging Young (2020-2030) FWO projects on eHealth self-management for cancer survivors and sedentary behavior interruption Interdisciplinary grants for VR-enabled consumer preference studies and physical activity interventions Her lab coordinates doctoral training for 9+ students and collaborates with the eBehaviourChange research unit, focusing on technology-mediated behavior modification across clinical and wellness domains.
Shurui Zhou is an Assistant Professor at the University of Toronto , with primary appointment in the Department of Electrical & Computer Engineering and cross-appointments in the Department of Computer Science and the Department of Mechanical & Industrial Engineering . She is also affiliated with the Schwartz Reisman Institute and a member of the Data Sciences Institute . Zhou directs the FORCOLAB , focusing on enhancing collaboration in distributed software teams, especially in open-source and AI-enabled systems development. Her research integrates software engineering principles with human collaboration insights from organizational behavior, aiming to improve collaboration efficiency through tooling and interdisciplinary methods. Recent publications (2023-2025) explore LLM integration in software development , sustainability in scientific open-source communities , and collaborative challenges in computer-aided design . Education: PhD (2020) from Carnegie Mellon University's Software and Societal Systems Department , MSc from Peking University , BSc from Xi'an Jiaotong University Scientific Awards: Gordon Slemon Teaching of Design Award (2022) Grants: Collaborator on NSERC Alliance-Mitacs Accelerate Grant (2025) for LLM analysis in political data Her lab, FORCOLAB, develops tools like forks-insight.com to analyze GitHub forks and Redundant PR detection bots . Zhou organizes events like the Responsible LLM-Human Collaboration Hackathon (2024) and actively serves on conference committees including ICSE 2025 and ICSME 2024 .
Francesco Strada is a Fixed-term Assistant Professor at the Department of Control and Computer Engineering (DAUIN) at Politecnico di Torino. He serves as a Course Lecturer for Virtual Reality and Technical Art for Cinema and Video Games, and as a Course Collaborator for multiple courses across Computer Engineering, Film and Media Engineering, and Architecture programs. He is an active member of the College of Computer, Film and Mechatronics Engineering and the College of Architecture and Design teaching committees. Dr. Strada's research focuses on Computer Graphics, Virtual Reality, Augmented Reality, and Human-Computer Interaction with particular emphasis on Embodied Conversational Agents, emotion recognition, and serious games applications. His work bridges technical computer science with psychological and human factors considerations to create more believable and effective virtual experiences. His research spans applications in education, healthcare, automotive interfaces, cultural heritage, and emergency response training. His recent publications demonstrate a strong trend toward emotionally intelligent virtual agents, VR/AR applications in specialized domains, and technical innovations in latency management and digital human representation. His work often combines psychological principles with technical implementations to enhance user experience and system effectiveness. Dr. Strada actively supervises PhD students including Alessandro Emmanuel Pecora, Stefano Calzolari, and Leonardo Vezzani, whose research focuses on Emotionally Aware Embodied Conversational Agents (E2CA) and Car AR-HUD design. He leads significant research projects including Holo-BLSD (2024-2025), a Mixed Reality tool for first aid emergency response training, and '50 shadows of AI' (2025), focusing on personalized education in corporate settings. He is a member of the CGVG - Computer Graphics and Vision Group at DAUIN, where his team develops cutting-edge applications in AR/VR, Human-Computer Interaction, User Experience, Computer Vision, Machine Learning, and Artificial Intelligence. His research has practical applications in education, training, healthcare, automotive interfaces, and cultural heritage preservation.
Talie Massachi is a Lecturer in the Department of Computer and Information Science at the University of Pennsylvania, specializing in human-computer interaction with a focus on social support networks in online communication platforms. Her work bridges technology design with psychological understanding to create systems that enhance emotional wellbeing through digital interactions while preserving privacy. Her educational background includes: PhD in Computer Science from Brown University, where she worked in the Brown HCI Lab under the supervision of Professor Jeff Huang BS in Computer Science and Psychology from Brandeis University (2018) Dr. Massachi's research investigates how people build and maintain social connections through digital channels, with particular emphasis on anonymous communication and mental health support. Her work combines rigorous user studies with practical system development, often resulting in open-source tools that address specific challenges in online social interaction. She approaches problems at the intersection of technology design, psychology, and social behavior, seeking solutions that balance user needs with ethical considerations. Her publication record shows consistent contributions to top HCI venues (CSCW, CHI, IUI), with recent work focusing on worker wellbeing, personal data reflection, and the socio-emotional impacts of limited communication channels like emoji-only interactions. Her research demonstrates methodological diversity, employing qualitative studies, user experiments, and system development to explore how technology can foster meaningful connections. Dr. Massachi is actively engaged in teaching user interface and experience design, having taught courses at both Brown University and the University of Pennsylvania. She has instructed both introductory workshops for non-majors and advanced courses for computer science concentrators, demonstrating adaptability in her pedagogical approach. She leads two major research projects: Chirp (a social support system with anonymous emoji-based mood tracking, evaluated in a 90-person user study) and Sochiatrist (a social data extractor for mental health research that has processed data from over 350 individuals). These projects involve collaboration with clinical researchers and are supported by multiple NIH grants including R21 HD088739, R01 MH108641, and others.
