Research

I am a professor of computer science in human-computer interaction and extended reality with a strong interest in spatial sciences and visualization at the Institite of Interactive Technologies (IIT) at the University of Applied Sciences and Arts Northwestern Switzerland. Prior to my current post, I was a senior researcher/lecturer and the leader of the group Vision-inspired Visualization at the Department of Geography of the University of Zurich. Below I provide a broad overview of my scientific interests. Please see my projects and publications to get a more detailed picture of my research profile.

Visual Analytics & Visual Complexity

I work on a number of interdisciplinary visualization-motivated research projects. One of my primary research tracks links what we know about human vision and visualization, with a specific focus on understanding visual complexity and developing vision-inspired visualization paradigms to 'solve' it. I work both on basic and applied concepts in various domains such as geographic information science, computer science, biology, and optics. This track is mainly about managing information overload in machines (efficient data and level-of-detail management) and cognitive load in humans. My other major research track is on user experience studies (psychology and cognitive science), primarily on subjects related to human-computer interaction (HCI), i.e., inform visualization and interaction design. The contributions from these tracks fall broadly under the domain visual analytics with a strong focus on complexity and human factors.

Information Science and Human-Computer Interaction

My background is in geographic information science, and photogrammetry/computer vision. My PhD research was on stereoscopic vision and technology (thesis). I always had a strong interest in human-computer interaction (HCI) issues and usability of technology — as every digital era researcher should have. In particular, I have worked extensively in eye tracking from an HCI perspective (research in gaze-contingent displays and gaze interaction) as well as in eye movement analyses from a user-centric perspective (usability, design, visuospatial cognition).

 

Augmented and Virtual Reality, Information Visualization

I chair the ISPRS Working Group IV/9 on Geovisualization, Augmented and Virtual Reality. Furthermore, I am a member of the ICA Commissions Visual Analytics, Cognitive Issues in Geographic Information Visualization, and Use and User Issues. I have previously been a member of the International Society of Optical Engineering (now International Society for Optics and Photonics) and I triple E (IEEE). I worked on Virtual Reality (VR) and 3D web interfaces and was actively involved in FIG's Commission II. From 1999 to 2005 I worked as a teaching assistant in the Geoinformatics & Cartography lab of the Helsinki University of Technology (now Aalto University).

Disclaimer: Neither 3D nor rainbow colors are recommended in most infovis tasks.