I am an Associate Professor of Computer Science & Engineering at the University of California, Merced, where I direct the Inclusive Interaction Lab. My research program is interdisciplinary, spanning multiple areas, including computer science, cognitive science, human factors, virtual reality, accessibility, and applied artificial intelligence. My mission is to make computer systems more accessible by developing intuitive, effective, and enjoyable input and interaction techniques. I am the recipient of a Hellman Fellowship (2020) and an NSF CAREER (2023) award, as well as many best paper and honorable mention awards at premier venues in Human-Computer Interaction (HCI).
Before joining UC Merced, I was a Postdoctoral Research Fellow at Toronto Metropolitan University (FKA Ryerson University) and an NSERC ENGAGE Postdoctoral Research Fellow at York University. I was also a Research Intern at Microsoft Research, Redmond. I received my PhD in Computer Science & Engineering from York University and MSc in Computer & Mathematical Sciences from Lakehead University. I hold a BSc from Trent University in Computer Science & Studies.
I am always looking for hard-working, self-motivated, and scientifically curious students to join my research group. Check out my Publications page, particularly the demo videos, to get a sense of the areas I primarily focus on. Since my interests shift often, your interests do not necessarily have to fully align with mine. Read the Information for Prospective Graduate Students. If you meet the criteria, submit a Graduate Students Pre-application. Those who applied via the UC Merced Admissions system before submitting this form will be given priority. I receive 100s of emails from prospective students each cycle, which quickly get buried under other emails or end up in the spam folder. Hence, it is crucial to submit the form for full consideration, ideally between November and January. PhD positions are fully funded. Prospective master's students can apply directly via the UC Merced Admissions system, and mention me as your preferred advisor. MS positions are usually self-funded.
Undergraduate students are encouraged to apply for on-campus volunteering opportunities. These positions are unpaid, but can award up to four units through CSE 195/199. Complete the Undergraduate Internship Application at least three weeks before the intended start date.
Central Valley and Bay Area High school students are encouraged to apply for 12-week online or in person summer internship positions using the High School Summer Internship Application. All high school interns receive certificates upon successful completion of the internship.