Jihyun Lee is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Mechanical and Manufacturing Engineering at the Schulich School of Engineering, University of Calgary. She was awarded the Anna Boyksen Fellowship by the Technical University of Munich Institute for Advanced Study (TUM-IAS) in 2021, hosted by Prof. Michael Zäh. Doctorate in Mechanical Engineering from University of Michigan-Ann Arbor (2016) Prior post at Korea Institute of Machinery and Materials (2016-2019) Her research focuses on mechatronics, robotics, manufacturing automation, and control systems , with applications in machine tools, additive manufacturing, and precision measurement. She integrates artificial intelligence and optimization to enhance industrial automation. Recent publications highlight work on vibration control , sensor fusion , and flexible manufacturing systems . Her team explores dynamic modeling , nanocomposite sensors , and human-in-the-loop robotics for industrial and marine applications. 2020 Remote Teaching Award, Schulich Engineering 2020 Early Achievement Award, Association of Korean-Canadian Scientists and Engineers 2018 Best Achievement Award, KIMM She supervises doctoral and master’s students at the University of Calgary, emphasizing hands-on experience and MATLAB/Python simulation skills in her lab. Her work bridges quantum logic and industrial robotics through interdisciplinary collaborations.
Florian 'Floyd' Mueller is a Professor of Future Interfaces at Monash University in Melbourne, Australia, where he directs the award-winning Exertion Games Lab within the Department of Human-Centred Computing (ranked among the top 20 HCI departments globally). Previously, he held positions at RMIT University, Stanford, University of Melbourne, Microsoft Research, MIT Media Lab, Fuji-Xerox Palo Alto Labs, Xerox Parc, and Australia's CSIRO. Mueller is a member of the prestigious ACM SIGCHI Academy, an honorary group recognizing leaders who have made substantial contributions to Human-Computer Interaction (HCI). Professor Mueller's research focuses on the intersections between technology, the human body, and play. He originated the concept of "Exertion Interface," arguing that we should not just design "easy-to-use" interactions when "hard-to-use" interactions can also be beneficial. His work spans movement-based interactions, whole-body interfaces, uncomfortable interactions, somaesthetics, and exertion games. Mueller's research methodology often employs research through design, design ethnography, and autoethnography to explore these novel interaction paradigms, incorporating mixed-reality, augmented reality, virtual reality, electronic muscle stimulation, biosensors, wearables, and drones. His recent publications demonstrate a continued focus on bodily interactions and human-computer integration, with particular emphasis on emerging subfields like WaterHCI and SportsHCI, brain-computer interfaces, and gustosonic (taste and sound) experiences. Mueller's work has evolved from foundational exertion game concepts to more sophisticated explorations of human-computer integration where technology becomes seamlessly woven into the fabric of human experience. Professor Mueller's contributions have been widely recognized with numerous awards including: Inaugural honouree of the Australian Design Centre's Design Honours Tall Poppy award for "intellectual and scientific excellence" 10 "Best Paper Honorable Mentions" (top 5%) from premier HCI conferences 2 "Best Paper" awards (top 1%) at CHI PLAY and CHI Shortlisted for the European Innovation Games Award (alongside Nintendo's WiiFit) Nokia Mindtrek Ubimedia Award Mueller has successfully secured some of Australia's largest and most competitive research grants, achieving a remarkable 14% success rate on Australian Research Council Discovery Project applications. He has served as General co-Chair for CHI PLAY'18 and CHI'20, becoming the first Australian-based researcher to spearhead HCI's highest-ranked publication outlet, and is currently General co-Chair for CHI'24. He is Associate Editor for tier A journals including Elsevier's IJHCS (International Journal of Human-Computer Studies) and ACM's IMWUT (Interactive, Mobile, Wearable and Ubiquitous Technologies). As director of the Exertion Games Lab, Mueller leads a research team whose innovations have been experienced by over 20,000 users across 3 continents and featured on the BBC, ABC, Discovery Science Channel, and Wired magazine. The lab has produced groundbreaking work in bodily interfaces, co-founding the CHI PLAY conference series and establishing new research directions in SportsHCI and WaterHCI through recent "Grand Challenges" papers. Mueller's lab continues to push boundaries with projects exploring brain-to-brain interfaces, lucid dreaming induction, and novel gustosonic experiences.
Krzysztof Z Gajos is a Gordon McKay Professor of Computer Science at Harvard University’s Paulson School of Engineering and Applied Sciences. He leads the Intelligent Interactive Systems Group, focusing on human-AI interaction, accessible computing, and behavioral research at scale. His work integrates technical innovation with ethical and societal considerations, emphasizing equity-centered design. Education: Ph.D., University of Washington M.Eng. and B.Sc., Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) Research Interests: His research spans AI for public services , health informatics , design for equity , and behavioral research platforms like LabintheWild.org. He investigates how AI can augment human decision-making while addressing biases and ethical challenges. Recent Trends in Articles: Recent work emphasizes human-AI collaboration in healthcare , explainable AI , and equity-centered design . Key themes include reducing overreliance on AI, improving transparency in algorithmic decisions, and centering marginalized communities in technology development. Scientific Awards: Sloan Fellowship Best Paper Awards at ACM CHI, COMPASS, and IUI Advising & Grants: His federal grants support AI ethics and healthcare projects, though recent terminations have prompted efforts to secure alternative funding. He advises students on projects like AI for humanitarian negotiations and digital phenotyping. Labs & Teams: Leads the Intelligent Interactive Systems Group , collaborating with organizations on AI for social good and accessible technology.
Paul Taele is an Instructional Assistant Professor and Deputy Lab Director in the Sketch Recognition Lab at Texas A&M University's Department of Computer Science & Engineering. He holds a Ph.D. (2019), M.S. (2010), and dual B.S. degrees in Computer Science and Mathematics from the University of Texas at Austin (2006). His research focuses on sketch recognition, haptics, and intelligent interfaces for education and accessibility, with notable work in mid-air gesture recognition, educational sketching tools, and assistive technologies for disabilities. He has contributed to projects like Kanji Workbook , Hashigo , and HaptiMoto , and has published over 50 peer-reviewed articles across venues like CHI, IUI, and AAAI. Taele has received awards including the NSF Student Travel Grant (2014) and Ford Foundation Honorable Mention (2015). He teaches courses in capstone design, programming, and sketch recognition, and mentors students across all academic levels through strict eligibility criteria for research collaborations. Education : Ph.D. Computer Science, Texas A&M University (2019) M.S. Computer Science, Texas A&M University (2010) B.S. Computer Science & Mathematics, University of Texas at Austin (2006) Concentration in Mandarin Chinese, National Chengchi University (2007) Research Interests : Taele's work bridges HCI and AI to create accessible educational interfaces. His projects emphasize: Sketch Recognition : Developing algorithms for mid-air gestures, children's developmental assessments, and language learning Accessibility : Haptic systems for visually impaired learners and algebra education Educational Tech : Intelligent tutoring systems for music, math, and East Asian languages Awards & Grants : EAAI-20 Travel Grant (2020) Ford Foundation Dissertation Honorable Mention (2015) NSF East Asia-Pacific Summer Institutes (2013, 2012) Royce E. Wisenbaker Fellowship (2009) Lab & Teams : Director of the Sketch Recognition Lab (SRL) and collaborator with global institutions like Singapore Management University and National Taiwan University. Active in organizing workshops like SketchRec at IUI conferences.
Jo Wood is Professor of Visual Analytics in the Department of Computer Science at City, University of London, where she has been employed since January 14, 2000. Her work bridges computer science, geographic information science, and human-computer interaction, focusing on innovative methods for visualizing complex spatial and behavioral data. Her research interests center on visual analytics , information visualization , and geovisualization , with applications in transportation, public health, crisis response, and citizen science. She investigates how interactive visual interfaces can support exploratory data analysis, decision-making, and storytelling, particularly through small multiples, faceted views, and sketch-based rendering techniques. The trends in her recent publications reflect a consistent focus on user-centered design , spatial data abstraction , and interactive exploration of multivariate datasets. Her work often integrates real-world behavioral data such as GPS tracks, cycling patterns, and crowd-sourced information to build meaningful visual narratives and support analytical reasoning. Throughout her career, Jo Wood has contributed significantly to the advancement of visual analytics through high-impact publications in top-tier venues such as IEEE Transactions on Visualization and Computer Graphics and Computer Graphics Forum. Her collaborations with researchers like Jason Dykes and Aidan Slingsby highlight her role in a vibrant research community. She has supervised numerous research projects and mentored students in visualization and geospatial analytics, though specific names are not listed in the provided text. Her work has been supported by various research grants, particularly in domains involving urban mobility, energy modeling, and crisis informatics, though grant details are not specified here. Jo Wood has also contributed to the design of visual analytics systems for applications including disease spread modeling, bicycle-hire scheme monitoring, and persuasive technology for health and leisure, demonstrating a strong commitment to impactful, interdisciplinary research.
Michael Lepech is a Professor of Civil and Environmental Engineering and Senior Fellow at the Woods Institute for the Environment at Stanford University. His research focuses on integrating sustainability into civil engineering through quantitative assessment and multi-scale modeling, particularly via the Sustainable Integrated Materials, Structures, Systems (SIMSS) framework. He also leads the Stanford Center at the Incheon Global Campus (SCIGC) in South Korea, exploring smart city technologies for urban sustainability. Education : PhD in Civil and Environmental Engineering (2006), MBA in Finance and Strategy (2008) from the University of Michigan. Research Areas : Sustainable infrastructure design, biopolymer composites, life cycle assessment, digital twinning, smart city technologies, and multi-physics deterioration modeling. Leadership : Director of SCIGC, advancing research on smart and sustainable urban environments in Songdo, South Korea. His recent publications focus on biopolymer-bound composites, traffic signal optimization, and life cycle sustainability analysis. He has received recognition as a Senior Fellow at Stanford’s Woods Institute for environmental research.
Professor Kunal Mankodiya is a faculty member in the Department of Electrical, Computer and Biomedical Engineering at the University of Rhode Island. He holds the rank of Professor and is affiliated with the College of Engineering. His research focuses on wearable technologies, smart textiles, and medical IoT systems, with notable contributions in neural engineering and body sensor networks. Education Ph.D., University of Luebeck, Germany (2010) M.S., Biomedical Engineering, University of Luebeck, Germany (2007) B.S., Biomedical Engineering, Saurashtra University & C.U. Shah College (2003) Postdoctoral Researcher, Carnegie Mellon University (2011-2014) Postdoctoral Researcher, University of Pittsburgh (2011) Research Interests Mankodiya’s work emphasizes innovative wearable sensor systems for healthcare applications, including smart textiles for medical monitoring and IoT-enabled telemedicine solutions. His research integrates electrical engineering, biomedical engineering, and computer science to address challenges in neurological disorders, neonatal care, and movement disorders. Grants & Awards 2017 NSF CAREER Award 2017 40 under 40 Award, Providence Business News Lead PI on grants totaling over $5M, including NSF CAREER and NIH-funded projects Labs & Teams Mankodiya leads the Smart Wearable and IoT Lab at URI, focusing on interdisciplinary research in healthcare technology. His team collaborates with clinical partners on projects like neonatal monitoring systems and Parkinson’s disease tele-assessment tools.
Dr. Jia Zhang is the Inaugural Robert H. Dedman Jr. Endowed Department Chair and Professor of Computer Science at Southern Methodist University (SMU Lyle School of Engineering). She holds the Cruse C. and Marjorie F. Calahan Centennial Chair in Engineering and has a courtesy appointment in the Department of Operations Research and Engineering Management. Her research focuses on applying machine learning, natural language processing, and information retrieval to data science infrastructure, particularly scientific workflows, provenance mining, software discovery, knowledge graphs, cloud computing, immune AI, and applications in earth science and healthcare. Education: Ph.D. in Computer Science, University of Illinois at Chicago M.S. in Computer Science, Nanjing University B.S. in Computer Science, Nanjing University Dr. Zhang's work emphasizes data science infrastructure and machine learning for scientific workflows and knowledge graphs. Her recent publications highlight deep learning , graph neural networks , and optimization algorithms in cloud computing, cybersecurity, and environmental applications. Key trends include spatiotemporal modeling , hybrid neural architectures , and AI-driven service ecosystems . Scientific Awards: Best Paper Awards IEEE SCC (2011, 2017) Best Student Paper Awards IEEE ICWS (2014, 2018), IEEE ICCC (2018) Distinguished Paper Award ICSOC (2023) First Outstanding Service Award IEEE Technical Committee on Services Computing (2016) She has secured over $5 million in federal grants (as PI) and $11 million as PI/Co-PI from NSF, NASA, NIH, UTSW, Ericsson, SAP, and Google. Her lab (Caruth Hall 308) actively recruits research assistants. She previously served as a faculty member at Carnegie Mellon University, Northern Illinois University, and Nanjing University, and worked in industry as a software architect.
Mikael B. Skov is a Vice Dean and Professor at the Technical Faculty of IT and Design of Aalborg University , Denmark. His research spans human-AI interaction, robotics, and user experience, with a focus on trust signaling in clinical AI, swarm robotics, and sound zones for domestic environments. Role: Vice Dean for Research Department: Computer Science Research Interests: Skov investigates how humans interact with AI and robots in healthcare and domestic settings, emphasizing trust calibration, alert design, and acoustic comfort. His work includes developing frameworks for UX maturity in robotics organizations and studying long-term adoption of sound zone systems. Recent Projects: As principal/co-investigator, he leads the HERD project on human-AI collaboration in robot swarms (2021–2025) and supervises Data og Bæredygtig Mad (2020–2023), an HCI perspective on sustainable food systems. Publications: His 2024 work includes studies on AI explanations in clinical training, music applications with intermittent interactions, and multi-robot supervision. Earlier projects (2001–2020) focused on mobile device usability, UX practices, and context-aware computing.
Pourang Irani is a Professor and Principal’s Research Chair in Ubiquitous Analytics at the University of British Columbia (Okanagan campus), within the Irving K. Barber Faculty of Science’s Department of Computer Science, Mathematics, Physics and Statistics. Previously, he served at the University of Manitoba for 19 years as a faculty member and Acting Associate Dean of Science. His research focuses on Human-Computer Interaction (HCI), Wearable Computing, and Information Visualization, with an emphasis on designing interactive systems for 'anytime, anywhere' sensemaking using emerging technologies like mixed reality and smart devices. He leads interdisciplinary projects such as the NSERC CREATE grant on Visual and Automated Disease Analytics, training data scientists in health analytics. Education: PhD in Computer Science (University of New Brunswick, 2002), supervised by Dr. Colin Ware. Research Interests: Wearable interfaces (smartwatches, smartrings, and AR/VR) Data visualization for health and pervasive systems Persuasive health technologies and data storytelling Mid-air and hands-free interaction techniques Embodied interaction through social robots Recent Work Trends: Articles emphasize innovations in smartwatch interaction (e.g., bezel-to-bezel gestures), tactile visualizations via skin-dragging, and voice assistant-driven health data queries. Projects like Databiting explore transient personal data exploration, while Data Videos focus on narrative-driven health communication. Grants & Leadership: Principal Investigator of NSERC CREATE Visual and Automated Disease Analytics program. Co-leads UBCO’s Digital Transparency cluster. Active in interdisciplinary teams addressing health informatics and HCI challenges. Labs & Teams: Leads a lab developing prototypes in wearable computing, spatial analytics, and immersive technologies. Collaborates with researchers in medicine, engineering, and data science to translate HCI innovations into practical solutions.
Ehsan Azimi is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering and the Department of Computer Science at the University of Arizona, where he is also a member of the Graduate Faculty. His research bridges human-AI interactive systems, extended reality, robotics, and human-centered design, with a strong focus on medical applications. His research interests lie in creating synergistic human-AI systems that enhance medical procedures through advanced technologies. Key areas include extended reality for surgical navigation , robotics in minimally invasive surgery , and intelligent user interfaces . His work has led to innovations in smart glasses calibration, intraocular robotic snakes, needle steering, and digital twins for surgical training, all aimed at improving precision, safety, and learning in medicine. The recent articles highlight a consistent trend in medical robotics , augmented reality in surgery , and human-robot collaboration . These works span from hardware development to AI-driven interfaces, emphasizing real-time interaction, user experience, and clinical applicability across disciplines like ophthalmology, otology, and surgical education. Scientific Awards: Siebel Scholar Provost Postdoctoral Fellowship Link Fellowship Ehsan actively mentors students and scholars in research projects, indicating a strong commitment to academic advising. While specific grant details are not listed, his patented technologies and publication record suggest successful funding and translational research outcomes. His work has been featured in Engineering Magazine and other media, reflecting its impact and innovation. His research is conducted within an interdisciplinary lab environment focused on human-centered AI and medical robotics, integrating expertise from computer science, engineering, and clinical medicine to develop next-generation surgical and training systems.
Alexandra Papoutsaki is an Associate Professor of Computer Science at Pomona College since 2017. Her research focuses on Human-Computer Interaction , particularly in webcam-based eye tracking and shared gaze for remote collaboration . Ph.D. in Computer Science from Brown University M.Sc. in Computer Science from Brown University B.Sc. in Computer Science from Athens University of Economics and Business Her work spans personal informatics , crowdsourcing methodologies , and remote usability testing , with recent projects examining collaborative drawing interfaces, baby tracking reflection, and digital health communities. Earlier contributions include computational biology research in genome-wide survival analysis and pan-cancer mutation networks. Key trends in her publications include: Remote collaboration tools enhanced by eye tracking Personal data systems for health and creative domains Foundational work in crowdsourcing quality control Interdisciplinary approaches combining computer science with psychology and medicine Scientific recognition includes: NSF CRII Grant (2020-2022) Wig Distinguished Professor Award (2020) Best Paper at RECOMB (2013) She has developed multiple open-source platforms including WebGazer for scalable eye tracking and Remotion for mobile usability testing. Her research team has published extensively in top venues like CHI, IMWUT, and IJCAI.
Monica Lam is the Kleiner Perkins, Mayfield, Sequoia Capital Professor in Stanford University's School of Engineering and holds a courtesy professorship in Electrical Engineering. She leads the Stanford Open Virtual Assistant Laboratory and has pioneered work in virtual assistants, privacy protection, and compiler design. Her research includes the Almond virtual assistant, privacy-preserving IoT systems, and the ThingTalk programming language. She co-authored the seminal 'dragon book' on compilers and co-founded Tensilica (now part of Cadence). Education: Bachelor of Science (Honors), Computer Science, University of British Columbia, 1980 Master of Science, Computer Science, Carnegie Mellon University, 1982 Doctor of Philosophy (PhD), Computer Science, Carnegie Mellon University, 1987 Research Interests: Dr. Lam's work focuses on conversational AI with privacy guarantees, compiler optimization for parallel computing, and open-source virtual assistant ecosystems. She is a leader in decentralized systems, having developed frameworks like SociaLite for large-scale graph analysis and Musubi for mobile social networking without centralized platforms. Article Trends: Recent publications emphasize multimodal interactions, multilingual dialogue systems, and LLM-driven applications in areas like question answering, persuasive chatbots, and adaptive assistants. Her work bridges foundational AI research (e.g., semantic parsing) with real-world deployments (e.g., privacy-compliant IoT). Awards & Honors: Member of the National Academy of Engineering ACM Fellow Popular Science's Best of What's New Award (Security, 2019) Advising & Grants: Lam oversees the Open Virtual Assistant Initiative, a collaborative project to build open-source semantic models. Her NSF CNS grant (CNS Core) focuses on federated privacy systems. She has advised over 50 students in AI and systems research, though specific names are not listed in the provided texts. Labs & Teams: Directs the Stanford Open Virtual Assistant Laboratory, collaborates with the Stanford NLP group, and maintains ties to industry through former startup Tensilica's legacy in embedded processors.
Dr. Kening Zhu (Ken) is an Associate Professor jointly appointed by the School of Creative Media and the Department of Computer Science at City University of Hong Kong (CityU). His work focuses on innovative human-computer interaction techniques, with particular emphasis on creating novel interfaces that bridge digital and physical worlds. Dr. Zhu received his PhD degree from the National University of Singapore, where he was supervised by Professor Ryohei Nakatsu and Dr. Shengdong Zhao. He completed his Bachelor's degree in Computer Science at Huazhong University of Science and Technology in China. Dr. Zhu's research spans multiple areas within Human-Computer Interaction, with particular expertise in: Multimodal and Embodied Interaction (MEI) Mobile gesture interaction and tangible/wearable user interfaces Multimodal VR/AR systems Interactive digital fabrication and rapid prototyping Interaction design for children and educational technology His work often combines technical innovation with practical applications, focusing on making technology more accessible and intuitive for users across different contexts. Dr. Zhu has received numerous prestigious awards for his research contributions: Silver Medal at the 50th International Exhibition of Inventions Geneva (2025) Bronze Medal at the 48th International Exhibition of Inventions Geneva (2023) Bronze Medal at 2022 Inventions Geneva Evaluation Days First prize of Nokia Ubimedia MindTrek Awards (2011) He has also served as a jury member for the Nokia Ubimedia MindTrek Awards and as a reviewer for top-tier conferences and journals including SIGCHI, SIGGRAPH, and MobileHCI. As an active researcher and mentor, Dr. Zhu currently supervises multiple PhD students and research assistants. His research is supported by significant grants including ITF projects on Mixed Reality Assisted Preoperative Neurosurgical Planning and Development of Attention-Aware, Immersive, Collaborative Video Teleconferencing System. He also serves as Co-Principal Investigator for the TDG(CityU) START project focusing on interdisciplinary approaches in digital fabrication. Dr. Zhu established the MEI Lab (Multimodal and Embodied Interaction Laboratory) in 2017, which has become a hub for innovative HCI research at CityU. The lab focuses on creating next-generation interaction techniques that combine physical and digital elements, with applications ranging from healthcare to education and entertainment.
Marita Dale is a Senior Lecturer in the Discipline of Physiotherapy at the University of Sydney and an Early Career Researcher affiliated with the Charles Perkins Centre. She specializes in cardiorespiratory physiotherapy, focusing on exercise interventions for chronic respiratory and cardiac diseases, particularly asbestos-related and dust-related conditions. Her work emphasizes improving accessibility to pulmonary rehabilitation services and leveraging mHealth technologies for patient care. Education: PhD in Physiotherapy (2016, University of Sydney). Her research interests include optimizing pulmonary rehabilitation through mobile health platforms, such as the m-PR™ app, and investigating pediatric burn injury rehabilitation, including orthosis use and scar prevention. She also explores multimorbidity management and simulation-based learning in healthcare education. Recent studies have highlighted her contributions to COPD care protocols, telehealth implementation during the pandemic, and qualitative analyses of patient experiences. Major awards: Sydney School of Health Sciences Teaching Citation (2022), Ashurst Prize for Outstanding Oral Presentation (2015), Helga Pettitt FHS Postgraduate Study Award (2010). Marita supervises Honours, Masters, and PhD students, including Mitchell Taylor on airway clearance in bronchiectasis. Her teaching spans undergraduate and postgraduate programs in cardiopulmonary and musculoskeletal physiotherapy. She collaborates on projects like the Lung Support Service, a nationwide text message program for chronic respiratory patients during the pandemic, and contributed to the commercialization of the Perx-R app for pulmonary rehab. Labs/teams: Active member of the Charles Perkins Centre, focusing on interdisciplinary chronic disease research and healthcare innovation.
