Zerrin Doğança Küçük is an Assistant Professor in the Education Department at Maynooth University (since March 2019). She holds a PhD in Environmental Sciences from Boğaziçi University (Turkey) and has extensive experience in STEM education, teacher development, and environmental literacy. Her academic roles include: Project Manager for the 5*S: Space, Surveyors and Students initiative Principal Investigator for climate literacy and digital leadership research projects Past roles as Vice Director at BAUSTEM Center and Assistant Professor at Bahçeşehir University Education Background: BSc in Mathematics Education & Science Education (Boğaziçi University) MSc & PhD in Environmental Sciences (Boğaziçi University) Research focuses on: Teacher development through STEM integration Systems thinking in environmental education GIS and remote sensing in sustainability teaching Global citizenship education Notable Awards: Teaching & Learning Fellowship Award (2022) Academic Travel Grant (2021) Conference Fellowships (TUBITAK, 2009 & 2007) Grants & Projects: Over €600k in funding secured for initiatives like 5*S (€251k), Digital Leaders Programme research (€400), and Global Citizenship Education (€6k). Active in curriculum development for STEM teacher training and sustainability education.
Xia Zhou is an Associate Professor in the Department of Computer Science at Columbia University. She leads the Mobile X Lab, previously co-directed the Dartmouth Networking and Ubiquitous Systems (DartNets) Lab and the Dartmouth Reality and Robotics Lab (RLab) at Dartmouth College, and collaborated with the Augmented Health Lab. PhD in Computer Science (UC Santa Barbara, 2013) Visiting faculty at National Taiwan University (2016-2017) and University of Cambridge (2017) Her research focuses on mobile computing and light-based systems for data communication and behavioral/environmental sensing. Projects include underwater robot localization, noninvasive glucose monitoring via light polarization, and computational fabrics for motion reconstruction. Selected scientific awards include a Best Paper Award (NSDI 2020), Best Demo Award (HotMobile 2020), Best Video Award (MobiCom 2016), and multiple SIGMobile Research Highlights.
Nadir Weibel is a Professor in the Department of Computer Science and Engineering at the University of California, San Diego (UC San Diego), and serves as the Associate Faculty Director of the UCSD Design Lab. He is actively affiliated with the Contextual Robotics Institute, the Center for Wireless and Population Health Systems (CWPHS), and the Research Center on Optimal Digital Ethics (RECODE|Health). His research integrates computer science, human-centered design, and pervasive sensing to develop intelligent systems that enhance human behavior in healthcare, education, and social equity contexts. PhD in Computer Science and Engineering, ETH Zurich, Switzerland (2009) Postdoctoral Fellowship in Human-Computer Interaction, UC San Diego (2012) MS in Computer Science and Engineering, ETH Zurich, Switzerland (2004) Dr. Weibel’s research focuses on human-computer interaction, artificial intelligence, ubiquitous computing, and eXtended Reality (XR). He develops systems that leverage multimodal data—such as eye movements, speech, physiological signals, and social interactions—to improve decision-making and behavior in real-world environments. His work emphasizes ethical AI, equitable healthcare delivery, and inclusive design. The recent publications reflect a strong trend toward AI-augmented healthcare systems, particularly in stroke care (Holo-Stroke, UbiStroke), surgical telementoring (ARTEMIS), mental health (VOLI, UNDERSTAND), and bias mitigation in clinical communication (UnBIASED, ConverSense). These works employ XR, generative AI, and multimodal sensing to create immersive, adaptive, and ethical digital interventions. The interdisciplinary nature of his research spans computer science, medicine, psychology, and ethics. Dr. Weibel leads the HXI Research Lab and has contributed significantly to advancing human-centered computing. His work has practical implications for remote healthcare, medical training, and patient-provider communication. Principal Investigator, ARTEMIS: Mixed-reality surgical telementoring system Lead Developer, HoloCPR: Mixed reality interface for emergency resuscitation Director, HXI Research Lab focusing on eXtended Intelligence and human behavior Awarded NIH and VA funding for digital health and pervasive sensing research Dr. Weibel’s lab develops tools such as ChronoSense, Lab-in-a-Box, and PintAR for real-world data collection and rapid prototyping in XR. The HXI Lab fosters interdisciplinary collaboration across engineering, medicine, and ethics to build systems that are not only technologically advanced but also socially responsible and clinically impactful.
Gabriel Hanssen Kiss is currently an Associate Professor at the Department of Computer Science (IDI), Norwegian University of Science and Technology (NTNU), and Senior Engineer at the Operating Room of the Future, St Olavs Hospital. He holds a PhD in Engineering from K.U. Leuven, Belgium, with a focus on visualization and automated polyp detection in virtual colonoscopy, and a computer science engineer diploma from Technical University of Cluj-Napoca, Romania. Education: PhD in Engineering (K.U. Leuven), Computer Science Engineer (Technical University of Cluj-Napoca) Affiliations: NTNU (Associate Professor), St Olavs Hospital (Senior Engineer) His research focuses on medical image processing and visualization, extended reality (XR) systems, and ultrasound technology. Key subfields include volumetric data visualization, image registration/fusion, and XR applications in both medical and non-medical domains. Recent publications highlight AI-driven echocardiography, LiDAR-GNSS data fusion for localization, and mixed reality in surgical training. Collaborative work spans AI applications in transesophageal echocardiography for left ventricular function, 3D segmentation models, and augmented reality systems for medical education. He works with teams at NTNU and St Olavs Hospital, focusing on systems like the Operating Room of the Future (FOR).
Kimberly Hieftje, PhD, is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Pediatrics at Yale School of Medicine and co-director/co-founder of XR Pediatrics and the Yale Center for Immersive Technologies in Pediatrics . Her research focuses on developing and evaluating videogame interventions using extended reality (XR) for adolescent health prevention, behavior change, and medical education. Current projects include interventions targeting Vaping prevention HIV/STI testing programs Alcohol harm reduction Transition readiness for chronic disease patients She serves as Editor-in-Chief of the Games for Health Journal and has extensive experience in implementation science, particularly through her K12 Scholar role in the Yale Implementation Science Program (YSIS). Key collaborators include Dr. Asher Marks and Dr. Veronica Weser. Scientific awards include the John R. Endwright Alumni Service Award from Indiana University. Her lab is located at 55 Church Street, Basement Floor, Room B04, New Haven, CT.
David N. Berg is a Clinical Professor of Psychiatry at Yale School of Medicine, with a distinguished career spanning organizational psychology, medical education, and behavioral science research. He previously served at Yale School of Organization and Management (1977-1992) and currently works with residents, fellows, and faculty to improve organizational understanding in clinical settings. BA & MA from Yale University PhD in Organizational Psychology from University of Michigan (1978) His research focuses on group dynamics in healthcare teams, intergroup relations, and psychological safety in clinical learning environments. Key contributions include developing frameworks for executive team behavior and creating interdisciplinary educational curricula. Recent publications examine chief resident training programs (2024), mixed-methods research teams (2011), and dissent management in organizations (2011). These works span medical education, organizational theory, and behavioral science. Recipient of SOM Alumni Award for Excellence in Teaching (1990) Multiple Psychiatry Residents Association Teaching Awards Outstanding Clinical Faculty Member at Yale Psychiatry (2010) As Deputy Editor of the Journal of Applied Behavioral Science (1994-2004), he shaped organizational psychology discourse. His book authorship includes foundational texts on group behavior and organizational development.
Michael Pabst is a Research Associate at the Visualization Institute of the University of Stuttgart (VISUS) , affiliated with the Schmalstieg Working Group . He holds an M.Sc. in Robotics, Cognition, Intelligence from the Technical University of Munich (2019-2024) and a B.Sc. in Vehicle Engineering from the University of Stuttgart (2015-2019) . Education: M.Sc. Robotics, Cognition, Intelligence (2021-2024), Technical University of Munich B.Sc. Vehicle Engineering (2015-2019), University of Stuttgart Research Interests Michael focuses on Human-Robot Interaction using AR/VR technologies, 3D Scene Understanding , and 3D Scene Graphs . His work spans robotics perception, control systems, and spatial computing applications. He has also contributed to SLAM , environment perception , and teleoperation in autonomous systems. Publications Michael’s recent articles highlight his expertise in robotics and AI. His 2022 paper in Robotics and Autonomous Systems explores Active Visual SLAM for omnidirectional robots. Earlier works (2021 and 2020) address reinforcement learning for automated inspection and aerial human motion capture using drones. Professional Experience He has worked at industry leaders BMW Group and Porsche AG , interned at Fraunhofer IPA , and contributed to research at the Max Planck Institute for Intelligent Systems and the TUM Chair of Astronautics . His roles blend academic research with industrial applications. Labs & Teams Michael collaborates with the Schmalstieg Working Group at VISUS and has been part of teams at TUM , Fraunhofer IPA , Max Planck Institute , and Porsche AG .
Dr. Catherine Angell serves as Associate Professor and Head of Department for Midwifery and Health Sciences at Bournemouth University, where she also holds the position of Lead Midwife for Education. Her academic responsibilities include teaching evidence-based practice and infant feeding while conducting research on health information perception across different learner groups. Education: PhD in Children's Perceptions of Infant Feeding (Bournemouth University, 2009) BSc (Hons) in Midwifery (2006) PG Cert in Education Practice (2011) BA (Hons) in Geography (1992) Research Focus: Her work centers on infant feeding practices, learning technologies in healthcare education, and media representations of childbirth. She employs innovative methodologies like the 'draw and write' technique to study health perceptions across age groups, from school children to university students. Publication Trends: Angell's recent scholarship demonstrates strong thematic consistency in maternal health systems research, particularly in low-resource settings like Nepal. Her collaborative work frequently addresses healthcare education innovation, cultural practices in childbirth, and health communication challenges. Methodologically, she favors mixed-methods approaches and qualitative evaluations of health interventions. Grants & Funding: Peer Facilitated Learning: Evaluation of student/academic experience in knowledge sharing (2016) Practice Assessment and Learning in Midwifery Study (PALMS, 2015) PhD Supervision: Actively mentors doctoral candidates researching diverse maternal health topics including gestational diabetes outcomes, normal birth practices, stable isotope analysis in weaning studies, and maternity care interventions. Professional Service: Serves on the National Research Ethics Service committee and reviews for leading journals including Nurse Education Today and Midwifery . Maintains active registration with the Nursing and Midwifery Council and membership in the Royal College of Midwives.
Dr. Cathrine Angell is an Associate Professor and Head of the Department of Midwifery and Health Sciences at Bournemouth University's Faculty of Health & Social Sciences. Her work focuses on evidence-based practice, infant feeding education, and healthcare learning behaviors, with extensive research in maternal and perinatal health in Nepal and the UK. She is a Registered Midwife with the Nursing and Midwifery Council and a member of the Royal College of Midwives. PhD in Children's Perceptions of Infant Feeding (2009) PG Cert in Education Practice (2011) BSc (Hons) in Midwifery (2006) Her research explores infant feeding awareness, digital health education, and midwifery training innovations, often integrating mixed-methods approaches and community engagement. She has co-authored over a dozen articles on maternal health in Nepal, focusing on birthing centers, cultural practices, and training programs. Dr. Angell actively supervises PhD students including Laura Stedman, Sheetal Sharma, and Preeti Mahato. She serves as a reviewer for journals like Nurse Education Today and Midwifery , and has led BU's international midwifery education conferences. Her work has been supported by the BU Centre for Excellence in Learning through grants for peer learning and practice assessment studies.
Philip Lindner is an Adjunct Lecturer and Docent in Clinical Psychology at Karolinska Institutet, affiliated with the Department of Clinical Neuroscience. He heads the Digital Psychiatry Lab and works as a clinical psychologist at the Stockholm Centre for Dependency Disorders (Region Stockholm), where he serves as Head of Research and Development at the Maria Ungdom Clinic. Education: Docent (2021), PhD in Clinical Neuroscience (2017) from Karolinska Institutet His research spans three core domains: (1) Clinical applications of Virtual Reality (VR) and immersive technologies, (2) Online psychological treatments for addictive/mental disorders in routine care, and (3) Digital gambling research including responsible gambling tools. His group employs mixed methods, machine learning, NLP, and clinical trials. Digital interventions dominate his work, with 2025-2024 publications covering VR therapy for phobias, gambling behavior analytics, alcohol treatment monitoring, and financial data implications for harm prevention. Key collaborations include the Addiction eClinic at Stockholm Centre for Dependency Disorders and WHO World Mental Health International College Student Study partnership. Editorial Roles: Associate Editor for Frontiers in Public Health, Guest Editor for Plos Digital Health, Editorial Board Member for multiple journals Grants: Funded by Swedish Research Council, VINNOVA, FORTE, and regional ALF grants The Digital Psychiatry Lab focuses on developing/evaluating digital tools for mental health identification and treatment, with active projects in routine addiction care, VR relaxation applications, and responsible gambling technology.
Professor Kirk Plangger holds a Chair in Marketing and serves as Associate Dean (Doctoral Studies) at King's Business School, King’s College London. He is a leading researcher in digital marketing, consumer behaviour, and AI-driven marketing strategies. PhD in Marketing and Consumer Behaviour, Simon Fraser University MBA in General Management, Simon Fraser University BA (Honours) in Economics, University of Western Ontario His research focuses on how digital technologies transform consumer behaviour and organizational marketing strategies. Key areas include AI in advertising , deepfakes , consumer privacy , brand transparency , gamification , and immersive technologies . He explores ethical and strategic implications of synthetic media, algorithmic bias, and customer surveillance. His recent publications span top journals such as the Journal of the Academy of Marketing Science , Psychology & Marketing , and Journal of Advertising . Themes across his latest work include reimagining marketing for social good, responsible digital implementation, perceived brand transparency, and the future of immersive advertising in the metaverse. His research integrates AI, behavioural insights, and strategic marketing frameworks. KingsCAT: Capture and Analysis Tool for Social Media Research (2024, Other distinction) Professor Plangger is an Associate Editor at the Journal of Advertising Research (Technology & AI in Advertising) and serves on editorial boards of multiple journals. He has secured funding from the Leverhulme Trust, EPSRC, British Academy, and SSHRC. He is actively involved in PhD supervision and executive education, and his work contributes to UN Sustainable Development Goals through ethical and inclusive marketing research.
Audrey Roulston is a Professor at the School of Social Sciences, Education and Social Work at Queen's University Belfast, specializing in palliative care, bereavement, and social work education. As Director of Practice Learning and Academic Selector for BSW admissions, she focuses on student placement experiences, professional identity development, and values-based recruitment systems. Led international studies on palliative care access in prisons Developed mindfulness interventions for social worker stress reduction Co-chaired the World Hospice Palliative Care Social Work Network Research Committee Principal Investigator for Cochrane reviews and baseline surveys on social worker wellbeing Research Awards: 1st Prize - Best Poster Presentation (Marie Curie Research Conference, 2022) Higginson Leadership Awards (2010, 2011) Queen's Annual Fund Awards (2011, 2012) Teaching Innovations: Currently convenes 'Social Work in Adult Services' undergraduate module and developed the Post-Graduate Diploma in Palliative Care for Social Workers (2022). Collaborates with Nursing and Midwifery on young adult carers' barriers in higher education. Current Projects: National bereavement impact study (post-COVID-19) and MusiCARER project for music therapy research capacity building.
Rogers Kaliisa is a Postdoctoral Fellow at the Department of Education, Faculty of Educational Sciences, University of Oslo. His academic journey includes a PhD in Education (2018-2022), a Master of Education (University of Adelaide, 2015-2016), and a Bachelor of Adult and Community Education (Makerere University, 2006-2009). His research focuses on Learning Analytics Educational Technology Mobile Learning Virtual Reality in Education Computer-Supported Collaborative Learning with a strong emphasis on technology-supported learning in higher education contexts. Kaliisa's recent publications explore AI interactions in complex network learning, ethical frameworks for learning analytics, and collaborative learning environments. His work addresses critical issues in data privacy, predictive analytics for at-risk students, and teacher-facing dashboards for online discourse analysis. He has contributed to pedagogical innovation and communication courses and participated in projects like TeamLearn, focusing on collaborative problem-solving analytics. His professional background spans roles at the University of Auckland, University of Adelaide, Makerere University, and Kyambogo University.
Normand Roy is a Full Professor at the Department of Psychopedagogy and Andragogy within the Faculty of Education at Université de Montréal. Holding a PhD in Education from Université de Montréal (2011), he specializes in educational technology, virtual reality applications, learning analytics, and innovative pedagogical strategies. Current research focuses on immersive technologies in history/geography education Expertise in mixed-methods research and digital textbook analysis His work explores flipped classrooms, AI tutoring systems, and video games' role in learning motivation. Recent projects include large-scale studies on digital literacy infrastructure and international collaborations with Brazilian researchers. Grants from FRQSC, SSHRC, and MITACS support his research teams across Quebec. Professor Roy supervises doctoral and master's students in education, examining topics like AI adoption, screen impacts on youth, and augmented reality in postsecondary science. He co-leads interdisciplinary research units like CRIFPE and LIRES, with a strong emphasis on co-creation and multimodal educational spaces.
Travis Flohr is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Landscape Architecture at the Stuckeman School, College of Arts and Architecture, Pennsylvania State University. His research and teaching integrate landscape architecture, urban planning, and digital technologies to promote equitable and climate-resilient communities. His research focuses on three interconnected themes: Ecology plus Design , spatial design computing , and design education and pedagogy . Using mixed spatial methods, remote sensing, ENVI-met simulations, and virtual reality, he investigates urban forests, green infrastructure, and environmental justice, particularly in relation to extreme heat and ecosystem services. His work emphasizes spatial context and socio-ecological interdependencies. The analysis of his publications reveals a consistent focus on digital landscape architecture, environmental justice, and innovative design education. His recent articles highlight the use of simulation tools, virtual environments, and participatory approaches to address urban climate challenges and equity in the built environment. Travis Flohr has secured research funding from NASA and the Institute for Energy and the Environment (IEE), supporting interdisciplinary projects on urban heat vulnerability and green infrastructure. He actively collaborates with colleagues across Penn State and contributes to advancing design pedagogy through digital innovation. Flohr is involved in several research initiatives, including the development of virtual studios and immersive learning environments. He is also part of interdisciplinary teams focused on urban forest resilience and ecological governance, contributing to both applied research and community engagement.
