I’m an Assistant Professor in the Department of Computer Science at the University of Saskatchewan. Feel free to learn more about my professional life by downloading my Curriculum Vitae.
Research Statement
My research in HCI focuses on the design, implementation and evaluation of innovative computing technologies that support natural interaction and collaboration. I employ user-centered design methods, whereby system design is grounded in observational data from laboratory and field experiments, and evaluated with real users, with an emphasis on statistical analysis. Novel display and input technologies continue to be integrated into home and office environments, yet much of this technology is not designed for multiple passive or active users. In this vein, my research expands in three main directions: using physiological metrics as evaluators, interface support for co-located collaboration, and ubiquitous computing approaches for collaborative play.
Education
| 2005 | Simon Fraser University, Burnaby, BC Ph.D. in Computing Science [CGPA = 3.93, passed Category One (as submitted), Simon Fraser University nomination for the 2006 Distinguished Dissertation Award in Engineering, Medicine and the Natural Sciences from the Canadian Association of Graduate Studies, SFU Dean of Graduate Studies Convocation Medal in Applied Sciences, SFU Faculty of Applied Sciences NSERC Doctoral Prize nominee] Dissertation: Modeling User Emotion in Interactive Play Environments: A Fuzzy Physiological Approach Advisors: Dr. Kori M. Inkpen, Dr. Thomas W. Calvert, Dr. M. Stella Atkins, Dr. Kellogg S. Booth, Dr. Lyn Bartram Examiners: Dr. Scott Hudson, Carnegie Mellon University; Dr. John Dill, Simon Fraser University |
| 2000 | Simon Fraser University, Burnaby, BC M.Sc. in Kinesiology [CGPA = 4.0] Thesis: Using the Finger for Interaction in Virtual Environments Advisors: Dr. Christine L. MacKenzie, Dr. Kellogg S. Booth, Dr. Daniel J. Weeks Examiner: Dr. John Dill, Simon Fraser University |
| 1997 | University of Winnipeg, Winnipeg, MB B.Sc. in Mathematics (Physics Minor) [CGPA = 4.20] Graduated a Student of Highest Distinction |
Professional Activities
| Program Committees: | ACM CSCW: 2008 Graphics Interface: 2008, 2005 Tangible Play: Research and Design for Tangible and Tabletop Games: A Workshop at the 2007 Intelligent User Interfaces Conference PerGames 2007: 4th Intl Symposium on Pervasive Gaming Applications ACM CSCW Notes 2006 |
| Conference Committees: | ACM CHI 2009, 2010: Works in progress
Co-chair Pervasive Computing 2007: Late-Breaking Results Co-chair |
| Guest Journal Editor: | Personal and Ubiquitous Computing Vol. 6, No. 5-6, 2002 |
| Journal Referee: | Interacting with Computers (2008) International Journal of Human Computer Interaction (2007) International Journal of Human Computer Studies (2008, 2007, 2006) User Modeling and User-Adapted Interaction (2006) IEEE Computer Graphics and Applications (2006) International Journal of Human Computer Studies (2006) Personal and Ubiquitous Computing (2002) |
| Conference Referee: | User Interface and Software Technologies (UIST):
2008, 2007, 2006, 2005, 2004, 2003 Computer-Supported Cooperative Work (CSCW): 2008, 2006, 2004, 2002 Graphics Interface (GI): 2008, 2006, 2005, 2004 Conference on Human Factors in Computing Systems (CHI): 2008, 2007, 2006, 2005, 2004, 2003, 2002, 2001, 2000 2nd IEEE Tabletop Workshop (Tabletop 2007): 2007 IEEE Symposium on 3D User Interfaces: 2007 Computer Supported Collaborative Learning: 2000 |
| Workshop Organization: | ACM CHI: 2008 Pervasive Computing: 2005, 2004 Computer-Supported Cooperative Work (CSCW): 2004, 2002, 2000 Ubiquitous Computing: 2004, 2001 |
| Ph.D. Students: | Miguel Nacenta: University of Saskatchewan-
CS (Committee: 2007-2008) Aaron Genest: University of Saskatchewan- CS (Committee: 2008- ) Amol Ghorpade: University of Saskatchewan- Engineering (Committee: 2008- ) Lisa Tang: University of Saskatchewan- CS (Committee: 2008- ) Nelson Wong: University of Saskatchewan- CS (Committee: 2008- ) |
| M.Sc. Students: | Mangalagouri Masarakal: University
of Saskatchewan- CS (Supervisor: 2008- ) Ragu Kattinakere: University of Saskatchewan- CS (Committee : 2008) Jim Wallace: Dalhousie University- CS (Committee: 2006-2007) |
| B.Sc. Students: | Sonya Adams: U. of Saskatchewan-
CS (NSERC USRA Supervisor: 2008) Ian Livingston: U. of Saskatchewan- CS (Supervisor: 2008) |
| Association Memberships: | Association for Computing Machinery: 1999 - present ACM SIGCHI: 2001-present |
| SFU Committees: | ASI Graduate Student Representative (2000-2003) Graduate Studies Representative, School of Computing Science |
| Student Volunteer: | CHI 2002, CSCW 2002, CSCL 2002, CHI 2001, UIST 2001, CSCW 2000, CHI2000, CHI 1999, CSCL 1999 |
| Volunteering: | Lord Nelson School, Vancouver, BC (2000) Assistant Volunteer Coordinator for the Winnipeg Family Kite Festival organized by the Independent Living Resource Centre (1997) Volunteer, Occupational Therapy Department, Concordia Hospital, Winnipeg, MB (1995-1997) |
| University of Winnipeg Committees: | Student Ambassador of the University of Winnipeg (1995-1997) Vice-president, University of Winnipeg Ski Club (1995-1997) |
Professional Experience
|
Assistant Professor
|
Conducted research on HCI topics including physiological metrics of evaluation, interaction techniques, and ubiquitous computing. |
07/2007-present |
|
NSERC Postdoctoral Fellow
|
Conducted research on HCI topics including aware homes for aging in place, interface support for CSCW, and ubiquitous computing. |
01/2006-06/2007 |
|
Web Design and Usability Consultant |
Performed Heuristic Evaluations, surveys, and formal user studies on company websites in the Halifax area. |
05/2006-present |
|
Consulting Lab Assistant (Usability) |
Collaboratively designed and ran experiments related to usability and Human Factors for Clients throughout the Vancouver area. |
01/2003 - 12/2004 |
|
Lab Manager and System Administrator
|
Managed the Windows machines and lab business in the Graphics Usability and Visualization Lab. |
04/2000 - 12/2002 |
|
Project Manager
|
Examined how ubiquitous technology can impact our entertainment and play in collaborative co-located environments. |
01/2001 - 12/2001 |
|
Project Manager
|
Managed the team creating our exhibit, which focused on educational handheld technologies. Included a variety of print media. |
01/2001 - 04/2001 |
|
Project Manager
|
Examined how children interact using collaborative handheld technologies. Managed the project spanning SFU and University of California at Berkeley. |
01/2000 - 12/2000 |
|
Research Assistant
|
Experiment design, implementation and analysis on technical support for endoscopic surgeons |
05/1998 - 09/1998 |
|
Research Assistant
|
Experiment design, implementation, focus groups, questionnaire design and analysis |
05/1996 - 08/1997 |
|
Research Assistant
|
Experiment analysis, mathematical modeling, poster design, for the Medical Physics Laboratory |
05/1995 - 08/1995 |
Academic Awards
| Name | Value | Type | Location | Period Held |
| NSERC University Faculty Award | $40,000/year | National | University of Saskatchewan | 2008-2013 |
| NSERC Discovery Grant: Sensing User Context and Adapting User Interfaces | $19,500/year | National | University of Saskatchewan | 2008-2013 |
| Faculty of Applied Sciences nominee for the 2007 NSERC Doctoral Prize | N/A | Institutional | Simon Fraser University | 2007 |
| Dean of Graduate Studies Convocation Medal in the Faculty of Applied Science Award | N/A | Institutional | Simon Fraser University | 2006 |
| SFU nomination for CAGS/UMI Distinguished Dissertation Awards in engineering, medical sciences and natural sciences | N/A | Institutional | Simon Fraser University | 2006 |
| NSERC PDF Award | $80000 | National | Dalhousie University | 01/2006-present |
| President’s Research Stipend | $6000 | Institutional | Simon Fraser University | 09/2004-12/2004 |
| Graduate Student Fellowship | $6000 | Institutional | Simon Fraser University | 05/2004-08/2004 |
| NewMIC Graduate Scholarship | $20000 | Provincial | New Media Innovation Centre | 01/2003-12/2003 |
| NewMIC Graduate Scholarship | $20000 | Provincial | New Media Innovation Centre | 01/2002-12/2002 |
| NewMIC Graduate Scholarship | $9000 | Provincial | New Media Innovation Centre | 04/2001-12/2001 |
| NSERC PGS-B | $38200 | National | Simon Fraser University | 05/2000-04/2002 |
| NSERC PGS-A | $34600 | National | Simon Fraser University | 05/1998-04/2000 |
| Advanced Systems Institute/Centre for Systems Science Special Graduate Fellowship | $5000 | Provincial | Simon Fraser University | 09/1998 |
| Graduate Student Fellowship | $4400 | Institutional | Simon Fraser University | 09/1999-12/1999 |
| Graduate Student Fellowship | $4400 | Institutional | Simon Fraser University | 05/1999-08/1999 |
| Gordon Diewert Scholarship in Motor Control | $1000 | Institutional | Simon Fraser University | 08/1999 |
| ASI Graduate Student Communication Award | $200 | Provincial | Simon Fraser University | 03/1999 |
| CSS Best Poster Award | $200 | Institutional | Simon Fraser University | 03/2000 |
| CSS Excellent Poster Award | $100 | Institutional | Simon Fraser University | 04/1999 |
| Special Entrance Scholarship | $800 | Institutional | University of Winnipeg | 06/1993 |
| Academic Proficiency | $400 | Institutional | University of Winnipeg | 09/1995-04/1996 |
| Academic Proficiency | $400 | Institutional | University of Winnipeg | 09/1994-04/1995 |
| Duckworth Scholarship in Physics | $290 | Institutional | University of Winnipeg | 09/1996 |
| River East Optimist Club Scholarship | $500 | Municipal | University of Winnipeg | 06/1993 |