Dr. rer. nat. Thomas Hermann is a faculty member at Bielefeld University's Faculty of Engineering, leading the Ambient Intelligence Group and coordinating the Computer Science program. He specializes in sonification, auditory data science, and smart environments. Head of Ambient Intelligence Working Group Computer Science Program Coordinator Member of multiple academic advisory boards His research focuses on interactive sonification for biomedical applications, quantum systems, and smart environments. Key projects include ECG sonification for cardiac diagnosis, real-time auditory feedback in swimming, and sonic interfaces for AR cooperation. Recent publications span 2025 with Python-based sonification tools ( pya AGen ), quantum system sonification, and ST-elevation myocardial infarction monitoring. He contributes to open-access supplementary materials and interdisciplinary workshops. As a researcher , Hermann develops practical sonification frameworks like Panson for facial behavior analysis, CardioScope for portable ECG monitoring, and Base Cube One for smart environments. His work bridges academic research with industry applications.
Mehrdad Salehi is a researcher at the Chair of Computer Science Applications in Medicine at the Technical University of Munich (TUM) . His work focuses on the intersection of computer science and medical imaging, with expertise in ultrasound technology, deep learning, and surgical navigation systems. Key research areas include sonification of medical data, 3D ultrasound reconstruction, and machine learning-based segmentation. He has contributed to innovative projects like PRO-TIP calibration phantoms and ColibriDoc autonomous docking systems. His publications highlight trends in acoustic feedback mechanisms, neural radiance fields for medical imaging, and real-time image analysis. He can be reached at mehrdad.salehi@tum.de .
Anusha Withana is a Lecturer at the School of Information Technologies , University of Sydney , Australia, where she leads research in the Cardiovascular Initiative (CVI) as EMCR (Early-Mid Career Researcher) lead. Previously, she was a Postdoctoral Fellow at the Max Planck Institute for Informatics and Saarland Informatics Campus , Germany. Her research focuses on Blended Interfaces —systems that are ubiquitous , environmentally integrated , and leverage natural affordances . She investigates design factors like interactivity in personal and shared spaces modalities (haptics, sonification) social acceptance of interfaces and technical factors such as reusability energy efficiency technology appropriation . Recent publications highlight advancements in on-skin tactile output (Tacttoo), gesture sensing (waveSense), and energy-efficient interactive surfaces (Multi-Touch Skin). Her work emphasizes thin , feel-through , and shallow-depth interaction for wearables and full-body haptics. Anusha currently advises PhD student Nisal and has secured a Faculty Equipment Grant to establish a FabLab at the University of Sydney. She actively contributes to academic service as a PC member for conferences like ACM UIST and SIGGRAPH Asia .
Stefan Bruckner is a Professor at the University of Rostock , leading the Chair of Visual Analytics within the Institute of Visual and Analytic Computing. His work bridges Visual Analytics , Biomedical Visualization , and Interactive Systems , with a focus on translating complex datasets into actionable insights. Role: Chair of Visual Analytics Key Affiliations: Eurographics Executive Committee, IEEE VGTC Editorial Leadership: Associate Editor, IEEE Transactions on Visualization and Computer Graphics Research spans Medical Visualization , Immersive Analytics , and Proteogenomic Data Exploration . Recent work includes: ProHap Explorer for haplotype analysis Line Harp sonification techniques Narrative visualization frameworks His publications reveal trends in interactive data exploration , multi-omics visualization , and user behavior analysis within medical contexts. Awards include contributions to the Dirk Bartz Prize in 2019. He actively collaborates with international institutions and maintains memberships in ACM, IEEE, and GI.
Ashwin Ram is a postdoctoral researcher at Saarland University's Human-Computer Interaction & Interactive Technologies Lab, under Prof. Jürgen Steimle. He holds a PhD in Computer Science from the National University of Singapore (NUS), advised by Prof. Shengdong Zhao, and a Bachelor's in Electronics Engineering from NIT Trichy. His research focuses on wearable augmented reality, smart glasses, and accessibility, leveraging cognitive and behavioral theories to design intelligent interfaces. Notable contributions include Mindful Moments (DIS '23, Honorable Mention), a mindfulness tool for smart glasses, and a quadruped robot guidance system for visually impaired individuals (CHI '24, Honorable Mention). He has served as an Associate Chair (AC) for UIST 2025 and CHI 2025. His work bridges HCI with wearable computing, exploring topics like video learning optimization (LSVP, IMWUT '21), sound source localization via neural networks (NCC '18), and accelerating Hawkes processes for event modeling (ICML '17 workshop). He collaborates internationally, including a research visit at UCL's Multi-Sensory Devices Group. Key achievements include 17 peer-reviewed publications (Google Scholar, ORCID: 0000-0003-1430-8770) and interdisciplinary projects like semantic floor map-based robot navigation. Beyond academia, he practices Carnatic music, plays guitar, and is fluent in Malayalam, Tamil, and English, with proficiency in French, German, and Hindi.
Prof. Christopher Habel is a Professor in the Department of Computer Science at the University of Hamburg, leading the WSV work area. His research focuses on spatial and temporal cognition, multimodal interaction, and accessibility technologies. He holds the formal title of Head of Department WSV and is affiliated with the Faculty of Mathematics, Computer Science and Natural Sciences. Habel's work bridges cognitive science, artificial intelligence, and human-computer interaction with an emphasis on assistive technologies for visually impaired individuals. Key research projects include the CINACS International Research Training Group, exploring auditory-haptic access to spatial graphics, and the development of multimodal comprehension systems integrating text, graphics, and tactile feedback. His contributions span theoretical frameworks in cognitive linguistics and practical implementations of verbal assistance systems for tactile maps and haptic graph exploration. Over 30 years of academic activity is reflected in his extensive publication record (1984–2015), with recent work emphasizing cross-linguistic studies, event recognition in virtual environments, and the design of multimodal interfaces for cognitive robotics. His research integrates computational models with empirical studies on human perception and language processing.
Jochen Schiewe is a Researcher specializing in geovisualization, GIS, and spatial uncertainty analysis, with a career spanning over two decades. His work bridges cartography, urban planning, and computational methods. Key Affiliations: University of Hanover (PhD), ISPRS community, EuroVA workshop Research Focus: Geovisualization techniques, uncertainty quantification, smart cities, and historical map analysis His 2024 publication introduces agent-based approaches for preserving spatial patterns in urban data. Earlier works examine sound maps for data representation, land cover change analysis, and interactive GIS for public participation. Schiewe's scholarly contributions emphasize human-computer interaction and cognitive aspects of mapping . He has served as editor for special issues on smart city solutions and collaborated with leading experts in GIS and visualization.
Sasan Matinfar is a research scientist at the Technical University of Munich (TUM), affiliated with the Chair of Computer Aided Medical Procedures (Prof. Navab) and the Munich Center for Machine Learning (MCML). He serves as scientific staff at Rechts der Isar Hospital, developing XR and sonification systems for surgical environments since 2020. His educational background includes: Master’s and Bachelor’s in Computer Science, Ludwig Maximilian University of Munich (LMU) Musicology, Franz Liszt University of Music, Weimar Piano Interpretation, Art University of Tehran Matinfar pioneers medical sonification and multisensory XR, creating auditory interfaces that convert tissue properties into sound for surgical guidance. His work in user-centered design produces clinically viable tools like the Ocular Stethoscope for retinal procedures and physics-based BioSonix frameworks, merging computer vision with perceptual audio engineering to enhance intraoperative precision without visual overload. Analysis of his 12 recent publications (2017-2025) reveals an evolving research arc from foundational surgical soundtracks to sophisticated context-aware sonification. Current work integrates generative AI with real-time tissue deformation modeling, focusing on multimodal frameworks where auditory feedback complements visual navigation in complex surgeries like cardiac interventions and retinal peeling. Key recognitions include: The Data Sonification Award (2025) MICCAI 2023 Best Paper Nominee (top 3% of submissions) MICCAI Young Scientist Award (2017, top 2% of papers) As an educator, Matinfar mentors students through TUM courses including Medical Augmented Reality (WS 2025/26) and Surgical Robotics, while co-organizing the Medical Augmented Reality Summer School and IEEE ISMAR 2025’s MIX Workshop. His patented technologies emerge from collaborations with Politecnico di Milano, TU Dresden’s CeTI, and Balgrist Hospital Zurich, securing interdisciplinary grants in surgical data science. Matinfar operates within TUM’s NARVIS Lab for medical image analysis and RobUSt for robotics-ultrasound integration, leveraging the German Heart Center Munich (DHM) infrastructure to validate XR systems in live surgical workflows and advance vision-language models for intraoperative decision support.
Prof. Dr. Martin Supper (born 1947) is an Adjunct Professor teaching Electroacoustic Music and Sonic Arts at the Faculty of Music, Berlin University of the Arts (UdK Berlin), where he also teaches in the postgraduate Sound Studies and Sonic Arts program. Since 2013, he has served as a regular guest professor for Sonic Arts at the Shanghai Conservatory of Music. Supper previously headed the UNI.K Studio for Sonic Arts and Sound Research from 1985 to 2017 and directed the postgraduate Sound Studies program from 2009 to 2015. Education: Training as radio and television technician Studies in Theoretical Computer Science, Linguistics and Systematic Musicology at Technical University of Berlin DAAD scholarship recipient (1980-82) at Instituut voor Sonologie, Rijksuniversiteit Utrecht Post-graduate degree in Computer Science PhD in Musicology under Helga de la Motte-Haber and Dieter Schnebel Supper's research focuses on the history and aesthetics of sound art, electroacoustic music, and computer music. His work explores questions about media-appropriate music and compositional strategies, particularly in the work of Iannis Xenakis. His scholarly approach bridges technical and artistic perspectives, examining how technological developments shape musical expression and perception, with special emphasis on spatial sound and the relationship between mathematical structures and musical form. His publications reveal a consistent focus on spatial sound phenomena, the theoretical foundations of electroacoustic music, and historical analyses of electronic music pioneers. Supper examines how sound interacts with physical space, the relationship between mathematical structures and musical expression, and historical developments in electronic music composition from both technical and aesthetic perspectives. Professional Recognition: DAAD scholarship recipient (1980-82) Contributing Editor of OPEN SPACE Magazine New York (2002-) Member of EARS consortium (ElectroAcoustic Resource Site project, UNESCO funded, 2005) Editorial Board member at Organized Sound, Cambridge University Press (2007-) MGG Advisory Board for Post-1950 US Music (1995-) Supper has extensive experience in academic leadership and organization. He founded and managed the Berlin studio CUE (1984-1989) and established the Studio for Electroacoustic Music & Sound Art at UdK Berlin in 1985. He has organized major international festivals including ICMC2000, SMC2008, and EMS2014. Supper has served on numerous prestigious juries including Ars Electronica Linz, Villa Aurora, and the DAAD Artists-in-Residence Programme. As a reviewer, he has evaluated submissions for major conferences and journals including ICMC, EMS, and Leonardo Music Journal. His artistic practice includes numerous compositions and sound installations, with notable works such as DH2 (1989), which was selected for the 1990 World Music Days in Oslo, and fragment (2003), which premiered in Florence as part of Tempo Reale Firenze. He has collaborated extensively with theater directors, actors, dancers, and filmmakers throughout his career.
Overview Gualtiero Volpe is a Professor affiliated with the Department of Informatics at the University of Genoa, Italy. His research focuses on Human-Computer Interaction (HCI), Affective Computing, and Multimodal Interaction, with particular emphasis on analyzing social interactions, embodied cognition, and expressive movement qualities in contexts such as music performance and education. He has collaborated extensively with researchers like Antonio Camurri, contributing to interdisciplinary projects that bridge computer science, cognitive science, and the arts. Research Interests Analysis of human movement and affect through computational methods Design of multimodal interactive systems for education and healthcare Investigation of laughter and social dynamics in human interactions Development of technologies for music performance and collaborative creativity Key Contributions Volpe's work spans over 140 publications in top-tier venues such as IEEE Transactions on Affective Computing, ACM Conference on Human Factors in Computing Systems (CHI), and International Conference on Multimodal Interaction (ICMI). His research has led to innovations in: Automated analysis of movement qualities using machine learning Sonification platforms for exergames and rehabilitation Embodied interaction frameworks for children's education Computational models of group cohesion and synchronization Recent Trends in Publications Recent studies emphasize the integration of cognitive science principles into movement analysis and the application of multimodal systems to address challenges in post-pandemic social interaction (e.g., digital commensality). His work on 'Embodied Multisensory Training' and 'Hybrid Co-Working in Industry 5.0' highlights a growing focus on real-world applications of HCI research. Awards & Grants No specific awards or grants are explicitly mentioned in the provided data, though his prolific publication record and leadership in collaborative projects suggest sustained academic recognition and funding support. Labs & Teams Volpe is part of the EyesWeb XMI research group at the University of Genoa, developing open-source platforms for real-time multimodal interaction analysis. He collaborates with institutions like the University of Trento and Goldsmiths, University of London on projects related to music technology and social robotics.
Professor Axel Berndt is a faculty member at the University of Paderborn, where he is affiliated with the Musicology Seminar Detmold/Paderborn, the Center for Music, Edition, Media (ZenMEM), and the KreativInstitut.OWL. His expertise lies at the intersection of computer science and music, with a focus on music informatics and digital media applications. University of Paderborn Musicology Seminar Detmold/Paderborn Center for Music, Edition, Media (ZenMEM) KreativInstitut.OWL Dr. Berndt studied computer science with a minor in music at Otto-von-Guericke University in Magdeburg. He conducted research and teaching in music informatics at the Department of Simulation and Graphics, earning his PhD in 2011. From 2012 to 2015, he worked at the Faculty of Computer Science at Technische Universität Dresden. From 2015 to 2023, he was a member of the Center for Music and Film Informatics in Detmold. Since 2023, he has been with the University of Paderborn. Professor Berndt's research focuses on the innovative potential of music informatics, exploring how digital tools and data formats enrich creative work with sound and music. His work bridges disciplines including human-technology interaction, musicology, and application domains such as the games industry, organ building, and museum technology. He investigates how digital media enable new approaches to sound and music, even for non-experts, with particular interest in interactive systems, music performance analysis, and digital music editions. His research emphasizes the practical application of theoretical concepts through immediate interdisciplinary exchange. His recent publications demonstrate a strong focus on music technology applications, with particular emphasis on music performance markup, interactive music systems, and digital tools for musicians. A recurring theme across his work is the intersection of traditional musicology with modern computational approaches, especially in the areas of music notation, performance analysis, and digital music editions. His research spans from practical implementations like the Detmold musical Instrument Timbre Explorer (DmITE) to theoretical explorations of music performance description. Digitale Interpretationsedition project Interactive Digital Scores in Music Theatre KreativInstitut.OWL Professor Berndt is actively involved in teaching individual BA/MA projects focused on sound and music in various media contexts and application domains. His approach emphasizes hands-on experience and collaboration with institutions like the Technische Hochschule OWL and the Hochschule für Musik Detmold, as well as partnerships with industry and application domains. His work demonstrates a commitment to translating research into practical applications through immediate interdisciplinary exchange. He maintains active research collaborations that bridge academic disciplines and application domains, ensuring his work remains relevant to both theoretical advancements and practical implementations in music technology and informatics.
Denis Gracanin is a Professor at Virginia Tech's Department of Computer Science, College of Engineering. His research spans Human-Computer Interaction, Mixed Reality, Smart Built Environments, and Generative AI, with a focus on immersive technologies, cybersecurity, and assistive systems. Research highlights include: Developing frameworks for XR-based security in zero-trust networks Advancing real-time 3D object generation in augmented reality using generative AI Designing smart environments for stress management and mobility assistance His recent work explores AI-driven design optimization, sonification in immersive analytics, and privacy-centric IoT systems. Articles emphasize applications in healthcare, cybersecurity, and smart lighting, leveraging machine learning and multimodal data. Gracanin collaborates extensively with researchers like Kresimir Matkovic, Mohamed Azab, and Majid Behravan, publishing in top venues such as IEEE Transactions on Visualization and Computer Graphics, CHI, and VR Workshops.
Dr. Stephan Huber is a Researcher at the Psychological Ergonomics group within the Institute for Human-Computer-Media at Julius-Maximilians-University Würzburg's Faculty of Human Sciences. He holds a PhD in Human-Computer Interaction with his doctoral thesis titled 'Proxemo: Documenting Observed Emotions in HCI'. Huber completed his B.Sc. and M.Sc. in Human-Computer Systems and Human-Computer Interaction at the University of Würzburg, including a research internship with Prof. Dr. Penelope Sanderson at the University of Queensland. Before his academic career, he worked as a software tester for automotive infotainment systems at GARMIN. His research focuses on User Research, UX evaluation methods, Accessibility & Inclusive Design, and User Experience Design in Safety-Critical Areas. Huber's work bridges human factors, psychological ergonomics, and practical applications in healthcare and safety-critical domains. His recent publications demonstrate a strong focus on AI-human teaming in medical contexts, inclusive design solutions, and novel evaluation methodologies. Analysis of his recent publications (2023-2025) reveals a clear trajectory toward Human-AI collaboration in healthcare settings, particularly in anesthesiology. His work spans multiple subfields including emotion recognition, inclusive design for visually impaired users, multispecies interaction, and safety-critical systems. A recurring theme is the development of novel evaluation methods and tools for assessing user experience in complex contexts. As a research associate since 2015, Huber has been actively involved in multiple projects including 'InterMem,' 'FUTURE,' and 'CASSANDRA listens and helps: An AI team member for anesthesia.' His teaching portfolio includes Accessibility & Inclusive Design, Methods of user-centered design, Usability and software ergonomics, Interaction Guidelines, and Interaction Prototyping. Huber collaborates extensively within the Psychological Ergonomics team at Würzburg, working closely with Prof. Dr. Jörn Hurtienne, Dr. habil. Tobias Grundgeiger, and other researchers. His work often involves interdisciplinary collaboration between computer science, psychology, and medical domains, particularly evident in his recent projects focused on healthcare applications.
Prof. Nassir Navab is a full professor and director of the Chair for Computer Aided Medical Procedures & Augmented Reality at the Technical University of Munich (TUM) School of Computation, Information and Technology. He leads the Medical Augmented Reality summer school series and is a member of Academia Europaea. Education: Mathematics and Physics, Computer Engineering and Systems Control, PhD at INRIA/Paris XI Professional History: Postdoctoral research at MIT Media Lab; Distinguished Member of Technical Staff at Siemens Corporate Research (1993–2003); Full Professor at TUM since 2003 Leadership Roles: Board Member of MICCAI (2006–2012, 2014–2017); Editorial Board Member of IEEE TMI, MedIA, IJCV His research focuses on bridging medicine and computer science through Computer Vision , Medical Augmented Reality , and Robot-Guided Surgery . He pioneered digital surgical workflow modeling (2005) and robotic imaging (2012), with over 100 patents and 90,926 citations (h-index 129). Recent publications highlight AI-driven medical imaging trends, including ultrasound-CT registration , reinforcement learning for robotic sonography , and semantic scene graphs for operating room modeling . Collaborations span institutions like Johns Hopkins University and cover applications in ophthalmology , oncology , and orthopedic interventions . MICCAI Enduring Impact Award 2021 IEEE ISMAR Career Impact Award 2024 IEEE ISMAR 10 Years Lasting Impact Award 2015 Siemens Inventor of the Year 2001 16 Best Paper Awards at MICCAI He mentors teams advancing medical AI and surgical robotics , with labs like CAMP and NARVIS. His work also emphasizes medical education , including courses on Computer Science for Medical Students and Innovation in Healthcare .
Dr. Manuj Yadav is a Post Doctoral Researcher at the Chair for Hearing Technology and Acoustics , RWTH Aachen University, Germany. His work focuses on acoustic virtual reality , room acoustics , and psychoacoustics with applications in workplace environments, auditorium design, and vocal performance studies. Research Themes : Auditory distraction in open-plan offices, autophonic perception, speech intelligibility metrics, and retroreflective architectural design Projects : Involved in the Priority Program SPP2236 - AUDICTIVE (Auditory Cognition in Interactive Virtual Environments) Recent publications analyze indoor environmental quality in hybrid workspaces, biophilic sound interventions for stress recovery, and acoustic retroreflection in modern and historical architecture. His experimental studies employ auralization techniques and virtual reality to simulate real-world acoustic environments for empirical testing. Key Collaborations : RWTH Aachen University’s Institute of Hearing Technology and Acoustics (IHTA), University of New South Wales Technical Expertise : Acoustic measurement protocols, ISO 3382-3 compliance, binaural simulation systems
