Denny Yu is an Associate Professor at the Edwardson School of Industrial Engineering, Purdue University. His work bridges human factors, neuroergonomics, and healthcare safety through advanced sensor systems and AI. Primary Affiliation : Edwardson School of Industrial Engineering, Purdue University Research Themes : Surgical ergonomics, autonomous vehicle human factors, cognitive workload assessment, multimodal physiological sensing Dr. Yu's research focuses on neuroergonomics and human-robot interaction , particularly in surgical and transportation contexts. His team develops sensor-based systems for workload monitoring, including: EEG-eye tracking fusion for situation awareness Wearable exoskeletons for surgical posture support Computer vision tools for lifting task risk analysis Smart infusion pump usability frameworks AI-driven surgical coaching systems Recent publications emphasize deep learning applications in soft tissue deformation estimation and real-time adaptive systems for robotic surgery augmentation. His work spans both occupational health (veterinary surgeons, airport workers) and medical device innovation domains.
Stephen H. Lane is a Teaching Professor at the University of Pennsylvania's School of Engineering and Applied Science, Department of Computer and Information Science. He serves as Director of the Computer Graphics and Game Technology (CGGT) Master's Program and teaches courses such as Computer Animation (CIS462/562), Advanced Topics in Computer Graphics and Animation (CIS660), and Game Design and Development (CIS564). He also supervises the Game Design Practicum (CIS568) capstone course. Education: B.S. in Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering from Cornell University (1980) M.S. in Systems Engineering from UCLA (1982) Ph.D. in Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering from Princeton University (1988) Dr. Lane's research focuses on the intersection of robotics, physically-based character animation, embodied intelligent agents, and virtual reality user interfaces. His work integrates control theory, artificial intelligence, and computer animation techniques to develop advanced simulation and training systems. His publications since 1987 cover topics such as inverse kinematics, neural networks for motion control, B-spline receptive fields, robotic skill acquisition, and gesture recognition systems. His recent work (2010-2011) emphasizes sensor fusion for gesture recognition and immersive training interfaces. Scientific Awards: Co-inventor of four US patents related to robotic animation and motion control systems Contributions to hybrid controller hierarchies and neural network training methods As founder of soVoz, Inc., Dr. Lane commercializes behavioral animation technology for virtual environments. His academic-industry collaboration includes contracts with Microsoft, Disney, and the US Army. He has developed tools like ProScena™ to integrate interactive 3D simulation capabilities into gaming and training applications.
Dr. Katharina Graf is a Research Fellow at the Institute of Cultural Anthropology and European Ethnology, Faculty of Linguistics, Cultures and Arts, Goethe University Frankfurt. She leads the DFG-funded ethnographic research project Cyborg Cook – Domestic Cooking in the Digital Age , investigating how digital technologies transform domestic cooking practices, knowledge reproduction, and socio-political negotiations around gender, class, and race in German households. Previously, she was a Postdoctoral Research Fellow at the SOAS Food Studies Centre, University of London, where she conducted research on bread as a measure of urban stability in Morocco, funded by the AXA Research Fund. Her educational background includes a PhD in Social Anthropology from SOAS, University of London (2016), with fieldwork in Marrakech, and a Diplom in Geography from the universities of Tübingen, Bonn, and Cologne, focusing on water supply in rural Morocco. Katharina Graf’s research lies at the intersection of cultural anthropology, food studies, gender, urban life, and science and technology studies. She explores how everyday practices—especially cooking—reflect and shape broader social, political, and technological transformations. Her work emphasizes the entanglement of material culture, digitalization, and human agency, particularly in domestic spaces. She investigates how food serves as a lens for understanding political legitimacy, social change, and human-machine relations. Her recent publications and blog posts from the Cyborg Cook project reveal a strong trend toward understanding digital domesticity through ethnographic, sensory, and feminist lenses. Themes include the role of mothers as technological pioneers, the disruption of routines by smart devices, and the multisensory experience of digital cooking practices. Her earlier work on bread in Morocco highlights how food security and culinary practices are deeply tied to political stability and state-society relations. Postdoctoral Fellowship, AXA Research Fund Principal Investigator, DFG-funded 'Cyborg Cook' project Dr. Graf has supervised undergraduate and postgraduate students at SOAS and Goethe University. While no specific grants beyond DFG and AXA are named, her role as principal investigator indicates leadership in competitive research funding. She is actively involved in academic service, including as associate book reviews editor for the FoodAnthropology Blog (Society for the Anthropology of Food and Nutrition) and former co-convenor of the Anthropology of Food Network at EASA. She disseminates research through innovative public formats such as photo exhibitions, cookery classes, and comedy clubs, reflecting a commitment to engaged scholarship. She is affiliated with the Cyborg Cook research team at Goethe University, an interdisciplinary group using ethnographic methods to study digital kitchen technologies. The project emphasizes collaborative, sensory, and participatory research approaches, often involving co-creation with participants through shared meals and observational cooking sessions.
Prof. Dr. Kai Essig is a Professor of Human Factors and Interactive Systems at the Faculty of Communication and Environment, Rhine-Waal University of Applied Sciences, Kamp-Lintfort, Germany. He has a strong interdisciplinary background combining computer science, cognitive science, and human-computer interaction, with a focus on eye tracking, visual perception, and assistive technologies. Master of Science in Computer Science and Chemistry, Bielefeld University (1998) Ph.D. in Computer Science, Bielefeld University (2007) His research centers on eye tracking, human-computer interaction, usability engineering, visual attention, and cognitive interaction technology . He investigates how movement expertise influences visual perception and how multimodal software can support real-time human actions. His work integrates computer vision, machine learning, and neuroscience to develop intelligent systems that adapt to user behavior. The 15 most recent publications reflect a consistent trend in eye movement analysis, mental representations, brain-machine interfaces, and assistive technologies . These works span domains such as sports psychology, robotics, augmented reality, and cognitive neuroscience, demonstrating a strong interdisciplinary approach. Key themes include gaze-based interaction, automated annotation of visual behavior, and the implementation of smart systems for daily living assistance. Scientific recognition includes: Landmark in the Land of Ideas (2018) – for the ADAMAAS project, awarded by 'Land of Ideas', a joint initiative of the German government and the Federation of German Industries Prof. Essig has been actively involved in research projects such as ADAMAAS (Adaptive and Mobile Action Assistance in Daily Living Activities), which received national recognition. He has collaborated extensively with the Neurocognition and Action-Biomechanics Research Group at Bielefeld University and the Excellence Cluster CITEC. While no formal advising of students is listed, his publications suggest mentorship and collaboration with junior researchers. His lab work is centered on eye-tracking systems, multimodal interaction, and cognitive modeling , particularly within applied environments like smart glasses and assistive technologies.
Dr. Eike Schneiders is a Lecturer at the School of Electronics and Computer Science, University of Southampton. He holds a PhD in Computer Science from Aalborg University and is a recipient of the UKRI Trustworthy Autonomous Systems Hub Early Career Researcher Award. His research focuses on autonomous and AI-infused systems, investigating how to ensure their trustworthiness and responsible interaction with humans and other agents through interdisciplinary collaborations across art, law, and medicine. His recent work explores the societal impact of Generative AI, particularly examining its influence on legal services accessibility for non-experts through the REGALS project (Principal Investigator) and its effects on creative communities via the ART-I project (Co-Investigator). Dr. Schneiders emphasizes public engagement to enhance AI literacy and employs both qualitative and quantitative methods to study human-computer interaction and ethical implications. Dr. Schneiders teaches courses including COMP6251 (Web and Cloud Application Development), ELEC6259 (Research Methods and Project Preparation), and ELEC6200 (Group Design Project). His pedagogical approach integrates foundational technical skills with critical research methodologies. He has led several interdisciplinary projects including ARTificial Intelligence: Show Me a Story about AI (ART-I) and Responsible Employment of Generative AI for Legal Services (REGALS), and contributes to the Agents, Interaction and Complexity research group. His Cat Royale project received the 2024 Webby Award for Best Integrated Experience. Honors include the Best Paper Award at ACM CHI 2024, multiple Honourable Mentions at CHI and TAS Symposiums, and membership in the Foundation for Science and Technology's Future Leaders Programme.
Elisabeth Huis in 't Veld is an Assistant Professor at Tilburg University's Department of Cognitive Science and Artificial Intelligence, part of the Tilburg School of Humanities and Digital Sciences. She also serves as Group Leader for Donor Cognition at Sanquin in Amsterdam and co-founded AINAR B.V., a company focused on AI applications in healthcare (https://www.ainar.io). Her research spans cognitive neuroscience, medical psychology, and AI-driven solutions for health challenges. Key interests include vasovagal reactions during needle procedures, serious games for decision-making studies, and blood donor behavior analysis. Recent projects include developing predictive models for vasovagal responses using facial analysis and creating the 'Sustainable Port' serious game to study expert decision-making in port management scenarios. Publications highlight interdisciplinary work, blending AI techniques (e.g., CNNs, time-series classification) with clinical and behavioral insights. Her work addresses real-world challenges in healthcare, donor recruitment, and game-based training systems. Professional affiliations include leadership roles in academic and industry collaborations, emphasizing translational research between cognitive science and practical health applications.
Daria Hemmerling , PhD, Eng., is a Lecturer at the Department of Metrology and Electronics under the Faculty of Electrical Engineering, Automatics, Computer Science and Biomedical Engineering at AGH University of Science and Technology in Kraków. Her research focuses on the intersection of biomedical engineering, voice analysis, and artificial intelligence, particularly for neurological and cardiovascular disease diagnostics. Research Interests : Applying mixed reality and AI for Parkinson’s disease assessment Voice/speech biomarkers for heart failure and neurodegenerative disorders Deep learning techniques in medical imaging (e.g., skull segmentation/reconstruction) Haptic feedback systems for multisensory interaction Simulation training in electrophysiology education Unsupervised learning and modality translation in biomedical signal processing Scientific Trends : Her recent work emphasizes multimodal diagnostic systems integrating voice analysis, VR/MR visualization, and deep learning. She explores explainable AI for medical classification tasks, data augmentation strategies, and innovative haptic/gamification interfaces.
Maurizio Mancini is an Associate Professor in the Department of Computer Science at Sapienza University of Rome. His research focuses on Human-Computer Interaction, Affective Computing, and Multimodal Interaction, with applications in Virtual Reality, Embodied Conversational Agents, and Digital Commensality. He has contributed to understanding expressive movement analysis, social robotics, and adaptive systems in gaming and mindfulness contexts. 2024 : 8 publications on VR mindfulness, reinforcement learning, digital commensality, and multimodal interaction 2023 : 4 studies on human-food interaction, gait recognition, and AI human-likeness 2022 : 5 papers on social robots, collaborative dining, and anomaly detection His work spans topics like nonverbal leadership in full-body improvisation, transactive memory systems in group interactions, and computational models for human-food interaction. Teaching includes courses on Human-Machine Interaction and Programming.
Tony Cheng is an Associate Professor (non-tenure-track) at Waseda Institute for Advanced Study, Waseda University since April 2024. His interdisciplinary research bridges philosophy, cognitive science, and neuroscience with particular emphasis on the philosophical foundations of perception, consciousness, and bodily awareness. Cheng maintains an active research program with significant publications in top journals across multiple disciplines. Education Background: MSc in Psychology and Neuroscience of Mental Health from King's College London (2019-2021) PhD from University College London, Department of Philosophy (2015-2019) MPhil from University College London, Department of Philosophy (2012-2014) MA from City University of New York, Graduate Center, Department of Philosophy (2010-2012) Cheng's research focuses on transcendental arguments, bodily awareness, attention, consciousness, and perception. His work uniquely combines rigorous philosophical analysis with empirical cognitive neuroscience, creating a bridge between abstract philosophical concepts and measurable cognitive phenomena. He has made significant contributions to understanding perspectival shape perception, the relationship between tactile and visual cognition, and the epistemological foundations of consciousness studies. His recent publications reveal a clear trajectory toward increasingly interdisciplinary work that integrates philosophical methodology with empirical neuroscience. Cheng's research shows particular strength in examining Molyneux's question from both historical and contemporary perspectives, investigating how perspectival properties are represented across sensory modalities, and developing frameworks for understanding the relationship between artificial intelligence and human cognition. Scientific Awards: Scholarly Monograph Award in the Humanities and Social Sciences (2022.12) from Academia Sinica Cheng actively participates in academic leadership as Director of Logic, Methodology and Philosophy of Science and Technology (LMPST) since January 2025, and previously served as Supervisor (2022.02-2024.12) and Academic Committee Member for the Center for Traditional & Scientific Metaphysics. His teaching includes courses on Mind and Consciousness at both undergraduate and graduate levels in Waseda's School of Fundamental Science and Engineering and Graduate School of Fundamental Science and Engineering.
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.
Dr. Gijs Huisman is a researcher at the Delft University of Technology's Industrial Design Engineering faculty, specializing in Human-Centered Design and Perceptual Intelligence. His work focuses on haptics technology, mediated social touch, and multisensory interaction design. He leads projects like Dark Haptics and ShareYourReality , exploring haptic feedback in mobile interfaces and virtual avatar co-embodiment. His research bridges disciplines such as material science, cognitive science, and ethics to design inclusive technologies. Key Areas : Haptic wearables, affective computing, food interaction, and ethical AI. Recent Work : Investigating shape-memory alloys for assistive devices and developing tools for studying digital social touch ethics. Collaborations : Active in transdisciplinary teams addressing DEI in robotics and universal design. His research emphasizes practical applications in healthcare (e.g., fidget devices for stress reduction) and consumer products (e.g., aesthetically pleasing headphones). He teaches the Dare to Design Studio course, fostering innovative design thinking. Though no formal awards are listed, his prolific publication record (over 80 articles) demonstrates sustained impact in haptics and HCI fields. He actively engages with industry collaborations through TU Delft's research labs and graduate programs.
Miralem Helmefalk serves as a Senior Lecturer at the Department of Marketing and Tourism Studies within the School of Business and Economics at Linnaeus University. His academic profile bridges theoretical marketing concepts with practical applications in sustainability, technology, and consumer behavior. Dr. Helmefalk completed his doctoral studies at Linnaeus University in 2017 with his dissertation titled 'Multi-sensory cues in interplay and congruency in a retail store context: Consumer emotions and purchase behaviors,' establishing his foundation in sensory marketing research. His research centers on three interconnected pillars: consumer psychology and sensory marketing , examining how multisensory stimuli influence emotional responses and purchasing decisions; gamification , investigating strategic implementation of game mechanics to enhance user experiences; and service research within the Service-Dominant Logic framework , focusing on service ecosystems and customer engagement dynamics. These streams converge in his applied work on sustainable solutions, where he explores how marketing principles can promote recycling behaviors and environmental consciousness. His recent work demonstrates a clear evolution from traditional sensory studies toward innovative applications of gamification in sustainability contexts. Dr. Helmefalk's publication output shows strong interdisciplinary reach across marketing, sustainability, and technology domains. Recent work spans esports business models, gamified recycling systems, sensory brand congruence frameworks, and machine learning applications in gamification. His research demonstrates practical relevance while maintaining theoretical rigor, with publications in journals such as Journal of Media Business Studies, Circular Economy and Sustainability, and Waste Management. As an educator, Dr. Helmefalk teaches diverse courses including Gamification, Sensory Marketing, Retail Management, Method Courses, E-commerce, Digital Marketing, and New Technology in Marketing. He is recognized for creative teaching approaches that integrate theoretical concepts with real-world applications through experiential learning. Dr. Helmefalk actively leads research projects including 'Collaboration towards a gamified waste sorting house' which investigates whether waste sorting can be made enjoyable through gamification, and 'Social cues for environmental messaging in tourist destinations' which examines how social attention mechanisms can enhance environmental communication in tourism contexts. His collaborative network spans international organizations and researchers across multiple disciplines, reflecting his commitment to interdisciplinary scholarship with practical societal impact.
Ashwaq Amat is an Assistant Professor of Practice in Electrical and Computer Engineering at Vanderbilt University's School of Engineering. Her teaching focuses on digital logic and control systems. She holds a B.S. and Ph.D. from Vanderbilt University and an M.S. from the University of Leeds, UK. Dr. Amat's research centers on developing assistive technologies using virtual reality and multimodal data analytics to support neurodiverse populations, particularly individuals with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD). Her work includes designing collaborative virtual environments for teamwork training, intelligent agents for skill assessment, and haptic systems for motor skill development. Notable projects include the ViRCAS simulator for workplace teamwork and the InViRS system for joint attention practice. Her academic journey includes prior roles as a lecturer at University Malaysia Pahang and IT consultant at Accenture. Her research has produced over a dozen peer-reviewed publications since 2018, spanning topics from autism intervention strategies to neurodiversity workplace integration.
Frank Papenmeier is a Professor in the Department of Psychology at the University of Tübingen, within the Faculty of Science. His research focuses on event cognition, human-robot interaction, visual working memory, and visual attention. He coordinates the 'Coordination Cognitive Psychology and Research Methods' research group. His work explores how people perceive and interact with dynamic environments, including studies on event segmentation, cognitive offloading, and aesthetic judgments. He has contributed to over 100 peer-reviewed articles, with recent work addressing topics like the impact of framing on art perception and the role of AI in education. Papenmeier's research integrates experimental methods with interdisciplinary approaches, including collaborations on teleoperation systems and AI-based tutoring. He has presented at major conferences such as the European Society for Cognitive Psychology and the Psychonomic Society. His lab emphasizes methodological rigor, evidenced by contributions to replication databases and open science initiatives. Education: Not explicitly stated in the text, but his titles include Dr. rer. nat. (Doctor of Natural Sciences) and Diplom-Psychologe (Psychology Diploma). Research Interests: His primary areas include event cognition, human-robot interaction (e.g., helping behavior toward robots), visual working memory (e.g., spatial configuration processing), and cognitive offloading (e.g., impact on memory and performance). He also investigates aesthetic judgments and narrative comprehension through eye-tracking and experimental paradigms. Articles Trends: Recent work addresses applied topics like cookie consent interfaces, AI in education (e.g., R programming tutors), and perceptual effects in 3D cinema. His studies often bridge cognitive theory with real-world applications, such as usability design and social robotics. Labs/Teams: Leads the research group 'Coordination Cognitive Psychology and Research Methods' at the University of Tübingen. Collaborates with interdisciplinary teams on projects involving robotics, AI, and human-computer interaction.
Jonas Fritsch is an Associate Professor at the IT University of Copenhagen, affiliated with the Media, Art & Design School and the Center for Climate IT. He leads the Affective Interaction & Relations (AIR) Lab and serves as Principal Investigator (PI) for major projects like the VELUX-funded TRACE initiative (2023-2027) and the DFF-funded VOCAL project (2022-2025). His research focuses on affective interaction design, particularly in healthcare, emotional design, and the integration of cultural theory into HCI. Research Interests: His work explores affective healthcare design, embodied interaction, and interdisciplinary design methodologies. Recent projects include developing tools for patient-centered care, synthetic voice design frameworks, and affective engagement in extended reality (XR). Notable collaborations span Denmark and international partners, emphasizing human-technology relationships in care practices. Key Projects: TRACE investigates emerging human-technology interactions in care practices, while VOCAL explores novel vocal imaginaries through voice design. He has secured grants totaling over 8.5 million DKK, demonstrating impact in both academic and applied domains. Labs & Teams: As head of the AIR Lab, he fosters collaborative research on affective technologies. Media contributions include public installations like UDREDNING, which engages audiences in diagnostic processes through XR. He actively participates in conferences and review committees, emphasizing interdisciplinary dialogue in design and technology.
