David Lindlbauer is an Assistant Professor at Carnegie Mellon University's Human-Computer Interaction Institute (HCII), where he leads the Augmented Perception Lab and co-directs the CMU Extended Reality Technology Center. His research focuses on advancing Mixed Reality (MR) and Extended Reality (XR) interfaces through computational interaction methods that optimize spatial, temporal, and multimodal feedback.
John R Anderson is the Richard King Mellon University Professor of Psychology and Computer Science at Carnegie Mellon University (CMU), affiliated with the Department of Psychology within the Dietrich College of Humanities and Social Sciences. His research focuses on understanding higher-level cognition, particularly mathematical problem-solving, through the development of the ACT-R cognitive architecture—a computational framework simulating human cognitive processes. This architecture integrates behavioral, neural, and educational data to model learning and decision-making. Anderson’s work bridges cognitive science, neuroscience, and educational technology. He investigates how brain imaging (e.g., fMRI, EEG) can reveal the temporal dynamics of cognitive processes and improve instructional methods. His research emphasizes analyzing brain activity time courses to uncover underlying mechanisms of problem-solving and skill acquisition. Key Research Themes: Cognitive architectures, neural correlates of learning, computational models of memory, and intelligent tutoring systems. Notable Contributions: Development of the ACT-R architecture, integration of neuroimaging with cognitive modeling, and studies on skill transfer and learning strategies. Anderson’s publications include seminal books like Cognitive Psychology and Its Implications and How Can the Human Mind Occur in the Physical Universe? His work has advanced understanding of associative memory, strategic decision-making, and the application of cognitive models in educational technology. His lab, the ACT-R Research Group, collaborates across disciplines to model complex cognitive tasks and their neural foundations. Current projects analyze real-time brain activity to refine educational interventions and improve human-machine interaction.
Norman Sadeh is a Professor in the School of Computer Science at Carnegie Mellon University (CMU), where he has made significant contributions to cybersecurity, privacy, and AI research. He has co-founded and co-directed several groundbreaking graduate programs at CMU, including the Privacy Engineering Program (2012-present), the Ph.D. Program in Societal Computing (2003-2013), and the MBA track in Technology Strategy and Product Management (2005-2017). Carnegie Mellon University, School of Computer Science Software and Societal Systems Department CyLab Security and Privacy Institute Manufacturing Futures Institute Dr. Sadeh received his Ph.D. in Computer Science at CMU with a major in Artificial Intelligence and a minor in Operations Research. He holds an M.Sc. in computer science from the University of Southern California and a BS/MS degree in electrical engineering and applied physics from the Free University of Brussels (Belgium) as 'Ingénieur Civil Physicien.' Professor Sadeh's research spans cybersecurity, online privacy, Human-AI Interaction, AI governance, mobile computing, the Internet of Things, user-oriented machine learning, and language technologies. He is particularly known for his pioneering work on AI-based privacy enhancing technologies, including privacy assistants, automated privacy compliance tools, and NLP-based privacy solutions. His work has influenced the design of privacy features at major technology companies including Apple, Google, and Facebook/Meta, as well as privacy policies at regulatory agencies like the Federal Trade Commission and the California Office of the Attorney General. Analysis of his recent publications shows a strong focus on practical privacy solutions, particularly in mobile and IoT contexts, with an emphasis on making privacy more usable and understandable for end users. His work bridges technical innovation with policy implications, addressing both the technological and human aspects of privacy protection. 2018 Outstanding Entrepreneur of the Year award from the Pittsburgh Venture Capital Association Test of time award by the AAAI Conference on Web and Social Media (ICWSM) Gartner Group's Magic Quadrant leader in Security Awareness Computer-Based Training for 4 consecutive years Deloitte's Technology Fast 500 recognition for 3 consecutive years Professor Sadeh has advised numerous students, including PhD candidates like Aerin (Shikhun) Zhang, whose dissertation focused on understanding diverse privacy attitudes. His research has been funded through various grants, including NSF SaTC projects, and has resulted in technologies that protect tens of millions of users worldwide. He also founded Wombat Security Technologies, which was acquired by Proofpoint in 2018 and whose technologies are used by over 75% of Fortune 100 companies. Professor Sadeh leads several research initiatives including the Privacy Engineering Program, the Usable Privacy Policy Project, the Personalized Privacy Assistant Project, and CMU's Privacy Infrastructure for the Internet of Things. His Mobile Commerce Lab and E-Supply Chain Management Lab have produced influential research that has been commercialized by major organizations including IBM, Raytheon, Boeing, and the U.S. Army.
Jana Kainerstorfer is a Professor of Biomedical Engineering at Carnegie Mellon University (CMU), with courtesy appointments in the Neuroscience Institute and Electrical & Computer Engineering. She serves as Associate Department Head for Faculty and Graduate Affairs within the College of Engineering. Her research focuses on developing non-invasive optical imaging methods for disease detection and treatment monitoring, particularly in diffuse optical imaging. Key areas include cerebral hemodynamic monitoring in traumatic brain injury and handheld devices for breast cancer imaging. Dr. Kainerstorfer holds senior membership in the Optical Society of America and has received prestigious awards such as the NIH Trailblazer Award and AHA Scientist Development Grant. She leads the Biophotonics Lab, which bridges engineering and clinical applications, emphasizing translational research. Education: PhD from University of Vienna/NIH (2010), Postdoc at Tufts University Research Interests Her work revolves around biomedical optics , neurophotonics , and medical device innovation . Current projects include: Non-invasive cerebral hemodynamic monitoring Transabdominal fetal pulse oximetry Optical imaging in extreme environments (e.g., freediving physiology) Her lab develops tools like wearable NIRS for marine mammals and self-calibrating pulse oximetry algorithms. Research spans clinical translation and physiological mechanism discovery , with emphasis on microvascular imaging. Awards & Recognition NIH Trailblazer Award (2020) AHA Scientist Development Grant SPIE Fellow (2022) George Tallman Ladd Award (CMU) Lab & Collaborations The Biophotonics Lab collaborates with neurosurgery, oncology, and marine biology teams. Projects address clinical needs in neurocritical care and fetal monitoring, leveraging optical technologies for real-time diagnostics. Ongoing work includes: Optical assessment of cerebral metabolic rates Non-invasive intracranial pressure estimation Multi-modal EEG-NIRS fusion for neural source localization
Mahadev Satyanarayanan is the Jaime Carbonell University Professor of Computer Science at Carnegie Mellon University. His multi-decade research focuses on performance, scalability, availability, and trust in distributed systems spanning cloud to mobile edge computing. He pioneered foundational concepts in mobile computing and Edge Computing through his seminal work on VM-based cloudlets. His current research explores cloudlet-based Edge Computing for latency-sensitive applications, wearable cognitive assistance systems integrating augmented reality, and edge-based machine learning frameworks for efficient training data discovery. He collaborates with Dan Siewiorek, Martial Hebert, and Bobby Klatzky on transformative applications. Dr. Satyanarayanan received his PhD from Carnegie Mellon University after completing Bachelor's and Master's degrees at the Indian Institute of Technology, Madras. His honors include ACM and IEEE Fellowships recognizing his contributions to distributed systems and mobile computing. ACM Fellow IEEE Fellow
Joel Greenhouse is a Professor of Statistics at Carnegie Mellon University (CMU), affiliated with the Department of Statistics & Data Science. He has been on the faculty since 1983 and held leadership roles, including serving as Associate Dean of the College of Humanities and Social Sciences from 1997 to 2002. He also holds an adjunct appointment as Professor of Epidemiology and Psychiatry at the University of Pittsburgh. His expertise spans statistical methodology, clinical trial design, and meta-analysis, with a focus on integrating data from multiple sources to address complex healthcare and public health challenges. Greenhouse earned his Ph.D. in Biostatistics from the University of Michigan and completed a postdoctoral fellowship at CMU. His research emphasizes developing statistical tools for observational studies, clinical trials, and meta-analytic frameworks, particularly in neurology, mental health, and public policy contexts. Notable contributions include analyzing the impact of media on youth suicide rates, improving aphasia classification through automated speech analysis, and evaluating highway safety through driver health data. Education: Ph.D. in Biostatistics, University of Michigan Affiliations: Adjunct Professor at University of Pittsburgh, Member of National Academy of Sciences’ committees Professional Service: Data and safety monitoring boards for NIH/VA studies, co-chair of Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration review panels His awards include CMU’s Doherty Award for Education, Ryan Teaching Award, and E. Dunlop Smith Award for teaching excellence. His work bridges theoretical statistics with real-world applications, particularly in interdisciplinary collaborations across medicine, psychology, and public policy. Greenhouse’s recent articles highlight trends in leveraging large datasets for clinical insights (e.g., aphasiaBank), re-evaluating environmental and behavioral health associations, and advancing causal inference methods. His interdisciplinary approach ensures statistical rigor addresses societal challenges, from suicide prevention to highway safety.
Dina El-Zanfaly serves as an Assistant Professor in the School of Design at Carnegie Mellon University (CMU), where she directs the hyperSENSE: Embodied Computations Lab. Her work bridges computational design and human-centered interaction, focusing on how physicality shapes sensory experiences and cognitive processes through intelligent systems. Education: PhD in Design and Computation, Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) Master of Science in Design and Computation, MIT (Fulbright scholar) Her research critically examines computational methods for augmenting sensory perception, with emphasis on embodied sense-making in hybrid environments. She investigates co-creative interactions between humans and intelligent systems, exploring how computational tools empower designers and non-designers to shape products, social spaces, and interconnected technologies. Key questions address mutual learning between humans and machines through improvisation and creative production. Analysis of her 2022-2025 publications reveals dominant themes in mixed reality interfaces, AI-augmented skill acquisition (particularly in crafts and welding), and tangible co-creation with generative AI. Her work consistently integrates physical computing with mindfulness applications and privacy-aware smart environments, demonstrating interdisciplinary reach across education, manufacturing, and therapeutic contexts. Scientific Awards: Fulbright Scholarship As lab director, El-Zanfaly mentors students in computational making and embodied interaction projects. Her research is supported through initiatives like Fab Lab Egypt and collaborations with MIT, where she co-founded the Computational Making Group. She chairs major conferences including Fab15 in Egypt and serves on the DESFORUM program committee, indicating significant leadership in maker education and design research communities. She founded and leads the hyperSENSE Lab at CMU, which investigates computational embodiment through projects like Origami Sensei and Sand-in-the-loop. Previously, she co-established the Computational Making Group at MIT and co-founded Fab Lab Egypt (the first community maker space in North Africa/Arab world), demonstrating sustained commitment to global maker ecosystems and interdisciplinary team building.
Cleotilde (Coty) Gonzalez is a Research Professor of Decision Sciences at Carnegie Mellon University, with primary affiliation in the Department of Social and Decision Sciences (SDS). She serves as the Founding Director of the Dynamic Decision Making Laboratory (DDMLab) and Research Co-Director of the NSF National Institute for AI for Societal Decision Making (AI-SDM). Her extensive academic affiliations include the Security and Privacy Institute (CyLab), the Societal Computing program in the Software and Societal Systems Department (S3D), the Human-Computer Interaction Institute (HCII) in the School of Computer Science, and the Center for Behavioral Decision Research (CBDR) and Center for Neural Basis of Cognition (CNBC). Dr. Gonzalez holds a Ph.D. in Management Information Systems and has developed Instance-Based Learning Theory (IBLT), a significant contribution to cognitive science that explains how people make decisions based on past experiences. Her research spans experimental studies and computational modeling of cognitive processes in dynamic decision environments, with applications in cybersecurity, human-machine teaming, and societal decision making. Her recent publications reveal a strong focus on human-AI collaboration, collective intelligence, cybersecurity, and cognitive modeling. The research trends show increasing integration of AI systems with human decision processes, particularly examining how humans and AI can complement each other in complex decision environments. Her work increasingly addresses cybersecurity challenges through behavioral science perspectives, exploring how cognitive models can improve defense mechanisms against social engineering attacks. Lifetime Fellow of the Cognitive Science Society Lifetime Fellow of the Human Factors and Ergonomics Society Member of the Governing Board of the Cognitive Science Society Member at Large of the Policy Council of the System Dynamics Society Committee member of the National Academies Division Committee for the Behavioral and Social Sciences and Education Dr. Gonzalez has mentored over 50 post-doctoral fellows and doctoral students, with many going on to successful careers in academia, government, and industry. Her research has been supported by major collaborative efforts including Collaborative Research Alliances (CRA) and Multi-University Research Initiative grants from the Army Research Laboratories (ARL) and Army Research Office (ARO), as well as projects with the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA). She directs the Dynamic Decision Making Laboratory, which conducts research involving laboratory experiments and cognitive computational models to derive theoretical conclusions about dynamic decision making and develop applications for societal problems.
John Miller is a Professor of Economics and Social Science at Carnegie Mellon University (CMU) and a Research Professor at the Santa Fe Institute. His work focuses on complex adaptive systems, computational modeling, and social dynamics. He holds a Ph.D. in Economics from the University of Michigan (1988) and has held academic positions since 1990. Miller’s research explores emergent patterns in social systems through agent-based models, experimental economics, and nonlinear dynamics. His research interests span complex adaptive systems, game theory, auction markets, and behavioral economics. Notable contributions include foundational work on computational social science, the Standing Ovation Problem, and cooperative behavior analysis. Miller has authored influential books such as Complex Adaptive Systems: An Introduction to Computational Models of Social Life and A Crude Look at the Whole . He has received awards including the Elliot Dunlap Smith Award for Teaching Excellence and has led initiatives like the Open Learning Initiative. Miller’s academic leadership roles include Director of Graduate Studies at CMU and Faculty Director of the Omidyar Fellows Program at Santa Fe Institute. His work bridges economics, computer science, and interdisciplinary complexity research.
Joshua D. Bard is an Associate Professor and Associate Head for Design Research at Carnegie Mellon University's School of Architecture. His work bridges traditional craft and cutting-edge robotics, focusing on human-machine collaboration in construction domains. He leads Archolab, an award-winning research group exploring digital fabrication methods like 'Morphfaux' (robotic plaster techniques) and 'Spring Back' (parametric steam bending). Education: M.Arch (Distinction) from University of Michigan; B.A. in Literature & Philosophy from Wheaton College. Professional affiliations include the Manufacturing Futures Institute and rob|arch. Research emphasizes reviving historical crafts through digital tools, such as augmented reality interfaces for architectural education and thermal-tuned concrete panels via robotic processes. His teaching includes generative modeling and architectural robotics labs. Awards: Architect Magazine R+D Award, Canadian Wood Council Merit Award Key Projects: Plaster ReCast AR app, Thermally Informed Robotic Concrete Panels Collaborators: Dana Cupkova, Garth Zeglin, Steven Mankouche Current courses include 62-225 Generative Modeling and 48-555 Introduction to Architectural Robotics. His work is featured in venues like the Carnegie Museum of Art and academic journals like International Journal of Architectural Computing .
Marlene Behrmann is the Thomas S. Baker University Professor of Psychology and Cognitive Neuroscience at Carnegie Mellon University (CMU), affiliated with the Dietrich College of Humanities and Social Sciences. She leads the Behrmann Lab, which moved to the University of Pittsburgh in 2023. Her research focuses on visual cognition, object recognition, and neural mechanisms of perception, with a particular emphasis on face and word recognition. Behrmann holds a B.A. and M.A. in Speech and Hearing Therapy and a Ph.D. in Psychology from the University of Toronto. She is a leader in her field, recognized by her induction into the National Academy of Sciences (2015) and the American Academy of Arts and Sciences (2019). Her work combines neuropsychological studies of patients with brain damage, neuroimaging, and computational modeling to explore visual processing. Recent research highlights include studies on dorsal-ventral pathway interactions, functional reorganization post-hemispherectomy, and autism-related sensory processing differences. Behrmann has advised numerous graduate students and postdocs, contributing to their academic and professional development. Key awards include her National Academy of Sciences membership and American Academy of Arts and Sciences fellowship. Her lab collaborates widely, publishing in top journals like Cerebral Cortex , PNAS , and Trends in Cognitive Sciences . She also engages in translational research to improve interventions for perceptual and cognitive disorders.
Yihan Sun is an Assistant Professor at the University of California, Riverside (UCR) since January 2020. He earned his Ph.D. in Computer Science from Carnegie Mellon University (CMU) , advised by Guy Blelloch , and holds a Bachelor's degree in Computer Science from Tsinghua University . Research Interests: Yihan Sun focuses on the theory and practice of parallel computing , including Parallel algorithms and data structures Write-efficient algorithms for Non-Volatile Memory (NVM) Computational geometry (range trees, Delaunay triangulations) Graph algorithms (SSSP, SCC, cluster-based BFS) Concurrent and persistent data structures Multi-version concurrency control (MVCC) with garbage collection Applications in databases, transactional systems, and computational biology Recent Research Trends: His work on join-based parallel balanced trees has been foundational, supporting four balancing schemes (AVL, red-black, weight-balanced, treaps) and enabling efficient implementations in graph analytics, spatial queries, and dynamic programming. Recent publications focus on output-sensitive algorithms , scalable graph libraries (PASGAL) , and pedagogical approaches to teaching parallel algorithms. Teaching: He teaches CS260 (Parallel Algorithms) at UCR and has served as a guest lecturer for MIT 6.886 (Algorithm Engineering) and CMU 15-859 (Algorithms in the real world) . He also contributed to algorithm education through a tutorial at the ACM Symposium on Principles and Practice of Parallel Programming (PPoPP 2019) . Labs & Collaborations: Yihan is a core contributor to the PAM (Parallel Augmented Maps) library, which has been integrated into systems like Aspen (graph-streaming) and C-trees . He collaborates with teams at CMU-Parlay , PBBS , and Ligra , with his code available on Github for community feedback.
David P. Woodruff is a Professor in the Department of Computer Science at Carnegie Mellon University, part of the Theory Group within the School of Computer Science. He is actively involved in academic leadership roles, including chairing the CATCS (Conference on Theoretical Computer Science) and serving as PC chair for SODA 2024 and ICALP 2022. His research focuses on algorithms, data streams, machine learning, numerical linear algebra, sketching, and sparse recovery. He has been recognized with awards such as the Herbert Simon Award for teaching and the PODS Best Paper Award. Woodruff has advised numerous students and postdocs, including notable scholars like Ainesh Bakshi, Rajesh Jayaram, and Hongyang Zhang. His work often addresses foundational challenges in theoretical computer science, with contributions to distributed computing, streaming algorithms, and privacy-preserving techniques. He has published extensively in top conferences like NeurIPS, ICML, FOCS, and STOC, covering topics ranging from low-rank approximation to adversarial robustness in data streams. His teaching includes courses like Algorithms for Big Data and core algorithms courses, reflecting his commitment to both research and education. Collaborations span academia and industry, with applications in genomics and secure computation. Woodruff is a key contributor to the Foundations of Data Science program at the Simons Institute.
Shixiang (Woody) Zhu is an Assistant Professor in Data Analytics at the Heinz College of Information Systems and Public Policy, Carnegie Mellon University. He holds a PhD in Machine Learning from Georgia Institute of Technology (2022) and B.S./M.S. in Computer Science from Beijing University of Posts and Telecommunications (2017). His research bridges machine learning, operations research, and statistics, focusing on sequential modeling, human-AI collaboration, and energy systems operations. He has received awards including the IEEE Power & Energy Society Best Paper Award (2025) and was a finalist for the INFORMS Wagner Prize (2021). Education : PhD in Machine Learning, Georgia Tech (2017–2022) B.S./M.S. in Computer Science, BUPT (2010–2017) His research emphasizes spatio-temporal data analysis , decision making under uncertainty , and applications to energy systems, healthcare, and public policy. Notable projects include optimizing police zone design (Wagner Prize finalist) and enhancing grid resilience through robust optimization. He actively collaborates with institutions like Argonne National Laboratory and NSF-funded projects. Awards : Best Paper Award, IEEE Power & Energy Society (2025) Gen-AI Fellows (2024) Finalist, INFORMS Wagner Prize (2021) Advising & Grants : Advises PhD students Zekai Fan, Wenbin Zhou, and others Recipient of Block Center Seed Grant (2024), NSF funding (2024) His work spans energy resilience, public policy optimization, and causal inference in social systems. He co-leads the INFORMS Data Mining Society and reviews for top journals like Operations Research and Management Science.
Daragh Byrne is an Associate Teaching Professor at the Carnegie Mellon University School of Architecture , with courtesy appointments in the School of Design and Human-Computer Interaction Institute (HCII) . Previously an Assistant Research Professor at Arizona State University’s School of Arts, Media and Engineering, he manages the NSF-funded XSEAD project and leads MakeSchools , a catalog of making practices in higher education. PhD in Digital Media from Dublin City University (2011) M.Res. in Design and Evaluation of Advanced Interactive Systems from Lancaster University B.Sc. in Computer Applications from Dublin City University His research explores experiential media systems through Internet of Things and tangible interaction design , focusing on how computational tools can capture human experience and enable multidisciplinary collaboration. Key projects include Sentient Concrete (thermochromic architectural surfaces) and Spooky Technology (speculative design around invisible technologies). He has developed CMU’s Designing for the Internet of Things course since 2016, creating hands-on curricula for connected product design. Recent publications examine creative physical computing education , AI-driven documentation systems , and XR-enabled skill training . Awards include multiple CMU research grants and the CHI 2018 Best Paper Award . He actively advises PhD and Masters students in Computational Design, emphasizing human-centered design and speculative technology research .