VWHL Welcomes New Informatics Faculty Members
By: Virtual World Heritage Laboratory
December 13, 2024
The Virtual World Heritage Laboratory, a group with extensive expertise in the use of 3D technologies to preserve and study cultural heritage, is pleased to announce the addition of five distinguished faculty members from the department of Informatics to its team. These new members bring diverse and complementary skills, enriching the laboratory’s mission to explore the intersection of cultural heritage, technology, and interdisciplinary research.
Dr. Mary Jean Amon joins the VWHL with a background in cognitive science, computer science, and data science. Her research focuses on optimizing decision-making and performance in complex socio-technological systems, with a particular emphasis on teamwork and human-computer interaction. Dr. Amon’s insights into user behavior and privacy dynamics will enhance the laboratory’s capacity to engage with the human factors influencing the adoption and use of 3D technologies.
The addition of Dr. Colin M. Gray brings a multidisciplinary approach rooted in design, pedagogy, and ethics. As an expert in human-computer interaction and design education, Dr. Gray’s research investigates the role of design knowledge and practice in shaping user experiences. Their work on ethical challenges, such as deceptive design practices, complements the laboratory’s commitment to responsible and impactful applications of 3D modeling.
Dr. Christena Nippert-Eng, a sociologist with expertise in ethnography and user-centered design, offers a unique perspective on the social and cultural dimensions of everyday life. Her research spans topics such as privacy, cognition, and the interaction of humans with their environments. With a career dedicated to bridging disciplines, Dr. Nippert-Eng’s contributions will deepen the VWHL’s exploration of the societal implications of its work.
Dr. Justin Wood and Dr. Samantha Wood's research into the origins of intelligence and cognitive development integrates psychology and artificial intelligence to address fundamental questions about how knowledge is acquired. Their innovative use of virtual environments to study autonomous agents will inform the VWHL’s experimental approaches to reconstructing and understanding cultural heritage in digital spaces.
The collective expertise of these new faculty members will drive the Virtual World Heritage Laboratory’s efforts to document, restore, and recontextualize cultural heritage using 3D technologies. Their interdisciplinary approaches align seamlessly with the laboratory’s vision to preserve the human record and foster innovative discoveries that transcend traditional academic boundaries.