Prof. Vinod Namboodiri is the Forlenza Chair in Health Innovation and Technology at Lehigh University's Department of Computer Science & Engineering and College of Health. He leads the Accessibility and Assistive Technologies (ACCESS) Lab, focusing on computing technologies to address health disparities affecting people with disabilities. His NSF-funded research develops navigation solutions for individuals with disabilities, with emphasis on smart communities and built environment accessibility. He holds a Ph.D. from UMass Amherst and previously served as Full Professor/Associate Director at Wichita State University and Adjunct Senior Scientist at Envision Research Institute. His research spans assistive technologies, applied computer vision, and smart health systems. Notable work includes MABLESim (indoor accessibility simulation), NaVIP (visually impaired navigation), and economic analyses of accessibility investments. His publications explore both technical innovations and policy implications of assistive technologies. Prof. Namboodiri has received multiple awards for research, teaching, and innovation. His work bridges computer science with disability studies, emphasizing real-world impact through interdisciplinary collaboration. Current projects address indoor navigation systems, cost-benefit analysis of accessibility infrastructure, and human-agent interaction platforms for disability empowerment.









