Carolin Wienrich | Virtual Reality Systems | Best VR Researcher Award

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Prof. Dr. Carolin Wienrich | Virtual Reality Systems | Best VR Researcher Award 

University of Wurzburg | Germany

Carolin Wienrich is an accomplished academic leader and researcher in the Psychology of Intelligent Interactive Systems, with strong interdisciplinary expertise spanning psychology, human–technology interaction, computer science, and extended reality (XR). Since 2022, she has served as University Professor for Psychology of Intelligent Interactive Systems at the Faculty of Human Sciences, Julius-Maximilians-University (JMU) Würzburg, and since 2020, she has co-led the XR HUB Würzburg, strengthening research, innovation, and collaboration in XR across academia, industry, and society. Her career reflects continuous academic excellence, including a W3 Deputy Professorship in Computer Vision at JMU Würzburg from 2019 to 2021 within the faculties of Mathematics and Computer Science, and a Positive Interim Evaluation of her Junior-Professorship in 2019, confirming its equivalence to the German Habilitation. From 2016 to 2022, she held the Junior-Professorship for Human-Technology-Systems at JMU Würzburg, following her role as Postdoctoral Researcher in New Media and Methodology at the Technical University of Berlin, where she also earned her PhD in Science in 2015. Earlier, she contributed to major BMU and DFG-funded projects as a Research Assistant at Martin-Luther-University Halle-Wittenberg and the Technical University of Berlin (2009–2015), after completing her Diploma degree in Psychology in 2009. Her research focuses on XR and Artificial Intelligence as both research methods and objects of study for advancing the psychology of interactive systems, contributing significantly to human–computer interaction, immersive technologies, and human-AI interaction. She has successfully led or co-led eight third-party-funded interdisciplinary research projects and has authored numerous peer-reviewed publications. Carolin Wienrich has received multiple prestigious honors, including the 2023 Equality Award of University Würzburg, the 2020 Best Research Award of the Faculty of Human Sciences, the 2019 Best Lecture Award of Bavaria, and the 2019 Best Impact Project Award from the Virtual Reality Institute of Germany, in addition to an earlier scholarship from the Studienstiftung des Deutschen Volkes (2006–2010). She actively contributes to academia as a reviewer, grant assessor, program committee member, and supervisor for Bachelor, Master, and PhD theses, and serves as a Scientific Expert on the Advisory Council for Consumer Protection of the German Federal Ministry with a focus on eXtended Realities and Human-AI Interaction.

Profile: Orcid

Featured Publications

Wienrich, C., & Latoschik, M. E. (2022). The potential of immersive virtual reality for human–computer interaction research: Methodological perspectives and applications. Frontiers in Virtual Reality, 3, 1–14.

Wienrich, C., & Gramlich, J. (2021). A framework for evaluating user trust in AI-driven interactive systems. Computers in Human Behavior, 125, 106972.

Wienrich, C., Latoschik, M. E., & Moritz, R. (2020). Social presence and embodiment in immersive virtual environments: A psychological perspective on XR technologies. International Journal of Human–Computer Studies, 140, 102429.

Wienrich, C., & Latoschik, M. E. (2019). Towards meaningful human–AI interaction: Designing adaptive and explainable systems. AI & Society, 34(4), 873–888.

Wienrich, C., Döllinger, N., & Latoschik, M. E. (2018). User experience and acceptance in virtual reality learning environments: The role of interactivity and realism. Computers & Education, 123, 23–34.

Nebras Alghanaim | VR in Healthcare | Best VR Researcher Award

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Dr. Nebras Alghanaim | VR in Healthcare | Best VR Researcher Award 

Kig Saud bin Abdulaziz University for Health Sciences ( KSAU HS) jeddah | Saudi Arabia

Dr. Nebras Abdulrahman Alghanaim is a dedicated educator, researcher, and innovator in health professions education, specializing in simulation-based learning and virtual reality (VR)-enhanced interprofessional education (IPE). He earned his PhD from the University of Manchester in October 2025, where his research explored integrating simulation and VR into undergraduate health curricula through systematic and scoping reviews, qualitative studies, piloting VR interventions, and a Delphi consensus study to develop evidence-based IPE and simulation strategies. His findings revealed high learner acceptance of VR, identified faculty concerns, and established 28 IPE and 39 simulation-based education strategies, providing a sustainable framework for collaborative healthcare education. He also holds an MSc in Health Professions Education from University College London  and a Bachelor’s degree in Nursing from King Abdul-Aziz University . Since 2016, he has served as a Teaching Assistant at the Clinical Simulation Center, College of Medicine, King Saud bin Abdulaziz University for Health Sciences (KSAU-HS), Jeddah, contributing significantly to the advancement of clinical education, curriculum design, and faculty development. Dr. Alghanaim has presented his work at numerous international conferences, including AMEE, ASME, SESAM, and ASPiH, delivering oral and poster presentations on VR, simulation, and interprofessional learning, and co-facilitated workshops such as Simulation 101 and Simulation Curriculum Design, supporting innovation in medical education. Recognized as the Best PBL and Simulation Instructor (2018–2019) and serving as the Medical Education Postgraduate Research Representative , he has demonstrated leadership, mentorship, and commitment to educational excellence. Over his academic career, he has contributed to six published research papers, with three more under process, emphasizing VR, simulation, and interprofessional education, and completed multiple international professional development courses, including VR Educator Training at the University of Oxford and STRATUS Simulation Education Programs at Brigham and Women’s Hospital. His work bridges theory, technology, and practical application, offering evidence-informed, innovative strategies to enhance learner engagement, clinical skills, and collaborative healthcare education, establishing him as a pioneering figure in VR-based simulation research and an exemplary candidate for the Best VR Researcher Award.

 

Profile: Orcid

 

Featured Publications

Alghanaim, N., Hart, J., & Finn, G. (2025). Scoping review: The effectiveness of interprofessional virtual reality simulation. Journal of Medical Education and Curricular Development, 12.

Alghanaim, N., Rogers, S., Finn, G., & Hart, J. (2025). The creation of an interprofessional education (IPE) strategy utilizing a Delphi method. The Clinical Teacher, 22(3), e70098.

Algahtani, H., Shirah, B., Abobaker, H., Alghanaim, N., & Kamel, F. (2018). Natalizumab treatment for relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis: The experience from Saudi Arabia. Clinical Neuropharmacology, 41(6).

Abdulmageed, S. S., Alabbassi, F., Alradi, M., Alghanaim, N., Banjar, S., & Alnakhli, M. (2018). Assessment of occupational exposure to sharp injuries among healthcare workers in King Abdulaziz University Hospital. International Journal of Community Medicine and Public Health, 5(5), 1756–1761.

Algahtani, H. A., Shirah, B. H., Alzahrani, F. A., Abobaker, H. A., Alghanaim, N. A., & Manlangit, J. S. (2017). Quality of life among multiple sclerosis patients in Saudi Arabia. Neurosciences Journal, 22(4), 261.

Alzahrani, A. A., Alghanaim, N., & Abdulmageed, S. (2017). Perception of the Saudi community towards human papilloma virus vaccination in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia. Global Journal of Health Science, 9(8), 158.

Aslı Eker | VR in Healthcare | Best VR Researcher Award

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Assist. Prof. Dr. Aslı Eker | VR in Healthcare | Best VR Researcher Award

Mersin University | Turkey

Assoc. Prof. Aslı Eker is a dedicated academic, midwifery specialist, and researcher in women’s health with expertise in breastfeeding, lactation management, maternal well-being, and reproductive health. She completed her Bachelor’s in Nursing at Dokuz Eylül University , Master’s in Midwifery at Mersin University, and Doctorate in Women’s Health and Diseases Nursing at Istanbul University-Cerrahpaşa (2019), where she developed an evidence-based Post-Caesarean Section Lactation Management Model that has contributed significantly to clinical practice and research. Her academic career progressed from Research Assistant and Lecturer roles to Associate Professor in the Faculty of Health Sciences, Department of Midwifery at Mersin University (2023), where she currently serves as Head of the Midwifery Department and Programme Head (since 2024). Dr. Eker has an extensive publication portfolio in leading international and national journals, including BMC Pregnancy and Childbirth, Reproductive Sciences, African Journal of Reproductive Health, and Current Women’s Health Reviews, with studies addressing breastfeeding outcomes, lactation education, psychosocial issues in women’s health, menopause, and student clinical learning. She has authored and contributed to several scientific books and book chapters on women’s health, gynaecology, lactation, midwifery practices, and COVID-19 parenting approaches. A frequent speaker at scientific congresses, she has presented over 30 papers internationally and nationally and received notable honours such as the 2025 Poster Presentation Third Place Award and 2022 Oral Presentation Second Place Award. In addition to academic contributions, she has actively engaged in community health development and research projects, many supported by TÜBİTAK, focusing on breastfeeding education, menopausal health, reproductive health awareness, disaster-period midwifery care, and youth health behaviour. Her leadership also includes editorial board roles for scientific journals, reflecting her commitment to advancing midwifery education, evidence-based practice, and women’s health research.

Profile: Google Scholar

Featured Publications

Eker, A., Yıldız Karadeniz, E., & Aşkan, F. (2025). The effect of virtual reality headsets on breast milk production and anxiety in mothers of preterm infants. BMC Pregnancy and Childbirth, 25(710), 2–7.

Sarı, E., Eker, A., & Saltekin, A. (2025). Determining the factors affecting the nutritional behaviour and nutritional knowledge levels of breastfeeding women in the postpartum period. Nigerian Journal of Clinical Practice, 28(6), 687–694.

Eker, A., & Aslan, E. (2024). Effect of lactation management model on breastfeeding process after cesarean: A prospective randomised controlled study. Reproductive Sciences, 31.

Gökçe İṡbir, G., Kömürcü Akik, B., & Eker, A. (2024). Development and validation of breastfeeding expectations scale-A (BES-A): A questionnaire for pregnant women. Women’s Reproductive Health, 11(3), 667–682.

Eker, A., Aydın Beşen, M., & Köksoy Vayisoğlu, S. (2022). Support experiences of mothers with breastfeeding problems: A qualitative study. African Journal of Reproductive Health, 26(7), 102–111.

Yıldız Karadeniz, E., Çeçen, S., Lafcı, D., & Eker, A. (2022). The effect of repeated video-training sessions on metered dose inhaler skills among individuals with COPD: Prospective randomised controlled study. Journal of Clinical Nursing, 31(9), 1339–1347.

Eker, A., & Aslan, E. (2022). Current approach in the breastfeeding process; Lactation management model. Mediterranean Nursing and Midwifery, 2(1), 35–40.

Aydın, M., Eker, A., & Yurdakul, M. (2021). Effects of menopausal symptoms on work life and organisational environment. Current Women’s Health Reviews, 17(1), 79–85.

Zhifei Wang | VR and 3D Printed Models | Best VR Researcher Award

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Prof. Zhifei Wang | VR and 3D Printed Models | Best VR Researcher Award 

Hangzhou Medical College | China

Prof. Zhifei Wang, MD, MBA, FACS is a world-renowned surgeon, academic leader, and innovator specializing in hernia, foregut, metabolic and bariatric, and minimally invasive and robotic surgery, currently serving as Chair and Professor of Surgery at the Department of Hernia Surgery, Zhejiang Provincial People’s Hospital, Hangzhou Medical College. He earned his MD from Zhejiang University School of Medicine, an MBA from the University of Illinois Chicago, and completed advanced fellowships at The Valley Hospital (NJ), Cleveland Clinic (OH), and Florida Hospital (Orlando), gaining expertise in HPB, foregut, and robotic surgery. In leadership roles including Director of International Cooperation, Director of the GERD Center, and Co-Director of the Center for Metabolic and Bariatric Surgery, he has advanced clinical excellence, global collaboration, and surgical education. A pioneer in surgical simulation and medical education, he has developed 3D-printed surgical training models and hydrogel-based organ simulation, improving training quality, reducing learning curves, and expanding access worldwide. He has authored over 160 SCI-indexed publications, many as first or corresponding author, in journals such as Surgical Endoscopy, BMC Surgery, Scientific Reports, Journal of Visualized Experiments, International Journal of Surgery, and ACS Applied Bio Materials, alongside influential Chinese publications, and holds multiple patents for innovative surgical models and tools. His work has earned numerous awards, including the Medical Educator Consortium Best Scientific Paper Award (SLS Annual Meeting 2024, USA), provincial and national awards for scientific innovation, and recognition for excellence in surgical education and medical technology entrepreneurship, with 6,228 citations by 4,790 documents, 160 publications, and an h-index of 46, reflecting his global impact on surgery, research, and education.

 

Profile: Scopus

Featured Publications

Xia, J., Xia, M., Zhu, Z., et al. (2025). Printed simulation models versus organ models in laparoscopic Roux-en-Y gastric bypass training: A prospective validation study of efficacy, learning curve, and cost-effectiveness. BMC Surgery, 25, 484.

Zhu, Z., Amadi, S. M., Mao, J., Zhou, M., Xia, M., Parikh, N. J., Hu, J., & Wang, Z. (2025). A randomized cohort study on the use of 3D printed models to enhance surgical training in suturing techniques. Scientific Reports, 15(1).

Amadi, S. M., Vadher, R., Mandizadza, O., et al. (2025). What makes a confident surgeon? Perspectives from surgical trainees and surgeons in Kenya, China, and Mali. BMC Medical Education, 25, 1311.

Yu, S., Xu, X., Ma, L., Zhao, F., Mao, J., Zhang, J., & Wang, Z. (2024). Versatile and tunable performance of PVA/PAM tridimensional hydrogel models for tissues and organs: Augmenting realism in advanced surgical training. ACS Applied Bio Materials.

Xia, J., Mao, J., Chen, H., Yang, D., Xu, X., Ruan, N., Yang, J., & Wang, Z. (2024). A cost-effective milestone training model based on 3D-printing for laparoscopic Roux-en-Y gastric bypass. American Journal of Surgery, 229, 174–178.

Amadi, S. M., & Wang, Z. (2023). Enhancing robotic-assisted surgery training with 3D-printed bio-models: A new era. The Innovation Medicine, 1(3), 100031.

Saeed Banaeian Far | Virtual Collaboration | Best VR Paper Award

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Prof. Saeed Banaeian Far | Virtual Collaboration | Best VR Paper Award 

Yazd University | Iran

Prof. Saeed Banaeian Far is a distinguished and forward-thinking researcher in applied cryptography, cybersecurity, blockchain security architectures, and emerging future-technology ecosystems, renowned for his interdisciplinary contributions that bridge information security, decentralized systems, and human–technology integration. Holding a Ph.D. in Electrical Engineering with a specialization in Communication Systems and Cryptography, he is currently completing his Postdoctoral Fellowship at Yazd University, funded by the Iran National Science Foundation (INSF), where his research focuses on the design of secure collaborative models for digital-twin ecosystems operating across heterogeneous blockchains without centralized authorities, laying foundational frameworks for resilient and scalable next-generation decentralized digital societies. His wide-ranging research spans cryptographic protocols, privacy-preserving computation, blockchain-based data auditing, decentralized identity and finance models, quantum-resistant security systems, AI-driven security governance, NFTs and dynamic NFTs, digital-twin intelligence, neuro-communication security, cognitive internet infrastructures, and conceptual architectures for silicon-free communication and the Internet of Brains (IoB). He is particularly recognized for pioneering ideas on integrating AI, blockchain, neuroscience, and communication technologies to support emerging concepts such as BioVerse ecosystems, cognitive human-machine communication, and secure decentralized Metaverse infrastructures. Throughout his career, he has earned multiple notable honors, including Best Paper Awards at ICWR 2025, ITQM 2022, and ISCISC 2022, reflecting his innovative scientific contributions and thought leadership. He is frequently invited to deliver expert talks and contribute to panels at leading cybersecurity, cryptology, and emerging-technology events, where he shares strategic insights on blockchain evolution, post-quantum and privacy-centric architectures, decentralized intelligence frameworks, and future security paradigms for human-integrated networks and cyber-biological ecosystems. In addition to his research achievements, he has built a strong reputation as a trusted expert evaluator in the global academic community, serving as a reviewer for over 60 high-impact journals across IEEE, Springer, Elsevier, Wiley, and Nature-affiliated publishing venues, consistently contributing to the quality and integrity of scientific advancement in cryptography, blockchain, and future-tech security research. With an ambitious vision for the future, his work aims to shape secure, ethical, and interoperable digital worlds in which AI, blockchain, neuroscience, and human cognition converge, enabling the evolution of decentralized intelligent ecosystems and transformative technological innovations for society.

Profiles: Orcid | Google scholar 

Featured Publications

Banaeian Far, S., & Hosseini Bamakan, S. M. (2025). A cross-chain-based framework to enable interoperability for digital twin teams developed on heterogeneous blockchains. Proceedings of the 11th International Conference on Web Research (ICWR 2025).

Banaeian Far, S., Chalak Qazani, M. R., & Imani Rad, A. (2025). Cell-to-cell communication: From physical calling to remote emotional touching. Discover Nano.

Banaeian Far, S., Rajabzadeh Asaar, M., & Haghbin, A. (2024). A generic framework for blockchain-assist on-chain auditing for off-chain storage with public auditors. International Journal of Info Security.

Banaeian Far, S., & Imani Rad, A. (2024). Internet of Artificial Intelligence (IoAI): The emergence of an autonomous, generative, and fully human-disconnected community. Scientific Reports.

Banaeian Far, S., & Rajabzadeh Asaar, M. (2023). A blockchain-based coin mixing protocol with certificateless signcryption. Peer-to-Peer Networking and Applications.

Banaeian Far, S., & Rajabzadeh Asaar, M. (2022). An efficient pairing-free identity-based certificateless signcryption. ISC International Journal of Info Security (ISeCure).

Mahsa Nasri | Adaptive virtual reality | Best VR Researcher Award

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Ms. Mahsa Nasri | Adaptive virtual reality | Best VR Researcher Award 

Northeastern University | United States

Mahsa Nasri is a Doctoral Researcher specializing in Human-Computer Interaction (HCI) and User Experience (UX) with over five years of experience investigating human behavior, usability, and interaction design across emerging technologies. She is currently pursuing a Ph.D. in Interdisciplinary Design and Media at Northeastern University (expected December 2026), where she serves as a Research Assistant on an NSF-funded project focused on integrating extended reality (XR), biometrics, and user-centered adaptive systems. Mahsa’s expertise spans mixed-methods user research, experimental design, participatory design, and both qualitative and quantitative data analysis, with hands-on experience conducting user studies across computer games, mobile applications, and immersive XR environments. Her work includes co-designing and evaluating ArticuMotion, a gamified mobile application developed with speech-language pathologists to support motor speech disorder assessment in children, where she applied iterative prototyping, usability testing, and cross-functional collaboration to unify clinical, engineering, and UX perspectives. She has also contributed to research on cognitive and behavioral measurement within VR, including eye-tracking-based cognitive load assessment in training environments and the development of VR apprenticeship training for advanced manufacturing. Prior to her doctoral studies, Mahsa worked as a VR/AR Developer and Researcher at the University of Isfahan’s Center of Entertainment Industry, where she designed VR applications focused on accessibility, emotional engagement, and therapeutic support—including a VR experience for women with multiple sclerosis and haptic interaction systems for counseling simulations—while also leading user evaluations to assess usability, engagement, and emotional response. Earlier in her career, she gained technical engineering experience in automation and embedded systems through an internship involving PLC and microcontroller development. With a multidisciplinary foundation bridging engineering, design, and human-centered research, Mahsa brings a unique perspective to the design and evaluation of interactive technologies, particularly those that leverage XR and biometric data to enhance learning, healthcare, and accessibility. She is passionate about advancing user-centered adaptive systems and creating immersive technologies that are effective, inclusive, and grounded in real human needs.

Profile: Orcid 

Featured Publications

Nasri, M., Alsebayel, G., Myers, C., Troiano, G., Hatamimajoumerd, E., Ostadabbas, S., Allison, K., & Harteveld, C. (2024). ArticuMotion: Towards assessing motor speech disorders via gamification.

Nasri, M., Kosa, M., Chukoskie, L., Moghaddam, M., & Harteveld, C. (2024). Exploring eye tracking to detect cognitive load in complex virtual reality training. Workshop paper accepted at IEEE ISMAR 2024.

Nasri, M., Narayan, U., Sonbudak, M. F., Simonson, A., Chiu, M., Donati, J., Sivak, M., Kosa, M., & Harteveld, C. (2024). Designing a virtual reality training apprenticeship for cold spray advancedmanufacturing.
Poster accepted at IEEE ISMAR 2024.

Amir Karimi | Immersive Learning | Best VR Researcher Award

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Dr. Amir Karimi | Immersive Learning | Best VR Researcher Award 

Farhangian University | Iran

Amir Karimi is a research lecturer in the Department of History Education at Farhangian University, Iran, whose academic interests bridge history education, teacher training, curriculum studies, and the integration of emerging technologies such as gamification, virtual reality (VR), augmented reality (AR), and the metaverse in education. He is currently pursuing a PhD in the History of Iran After Islam at the University of Tabriz, where his doctoral research examines the political, cultural, and social dimensions embedded in history textbooks—a continuation of his master’s research, which comparatively analyzed history education in Iran and Germany. Through his work, he aims to modernize and enhance history education by combining traditional historical perspectives with innovative pedagogical and technological approaches that can transform teaching and learning experiences. Alongside his academic studies, he has taught as a lecturer at Farhangian University since 2023, contributing to the professional training of future teachers and supporting advancements in history pedagogy. Amir is actively engaged in international scholarly activities, serving as a reviewer for numerous reputable journals including the International Journal of Serious Games, Journal of Learning for Development, Environment and Social Psychology, International Education Journal: Comparative Perspectives, International Journal of Assessment Tools in Education, and the International Journal of Project Management and Administration in Education, among others. His editorial roles include serving on the editorial boards of PLOS ONE and the International Journal of Contemporary Islamic Studies (IJCIS). His research expertise spans scientometrics, comparative education, and educational media, with a strong publication record in SJR-indexed journals. His studies cover a range of themes, including history education systems, educational technology trends, digital learning environments, teacher readiness for online education, the role of museums in teaching history, and the integration of virtual technologies in school education. Through scientometric and bibliometric analyses, he identifies research trends, emerging themes, and future directions in education, digital learning, and history pedagogy. Amir has presented and published multiple works in national and international conferences, including the National History Education Conference in Iran, where he contributed to discussions on educational media, history teaching methodologies, and curriculum development. His mission as a researcher is to empower educators and learners by connecting historical knowledge with innovative and technology-enhanced learning tools, thereby enriching educational experiences, promoting critical thinking, and preparing future generations to engage with history in meaningful, interactive, and reflective ways. With a growing academic footprint, active reviewing roles, and consistent scholarly contributions, Amir continues to influence the interdisciplinary space between history education and digital transformation in teaching and learning.

Profiles: Orcid | Google Scholar  

Featured Publications

Karimi, A. (2024). Museums as a valuable platform for teaching history: A scientometric review. European Journal of Education.

Karimi, A. (2024). Representation of history education in the Supreme Council of Education and Culture (1301–1320 A.H.):
Foundation period to evolution. Journal for the History of Science.

Karimi, A. (2023). Gamification in online education: A visual bibliometric network analysis. Info, 15(2).

Karimi, A. (2025). Factors shaping student readiness for online learning: Technology, perception, and lecturer roles. Journal
of Education, Culture and Society, 2(365–387).

Karimi, A. (2024). Virtual reality in elementary education: A scientometric review. Journal of Learning for Development, 11(3).

Elhassan Makled | Mixed & Extended Reality | Best VR Researcher Award

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Mr. Elhassan Makled | Mixed & Extended Reality | Best VR Researcher Award

Technische Universitat Ilmenau | Egypt

Elhassan Makled is a PhD researcher in Computer Science and Automation at the Technical University of Ilmenau, Germany, specializing in Virtual Reality (VR), Augmented Reality (AR), Human-Computer Interaction (HCI), cross-reality interaction, and immersive digital environments. He currently serves as a Research Assistant in the Virtual Worlds and Digital Games (VWDS) research group, where his research explores avatar representation, embodiment, mediated reality, and multi-user cross-reality systems that enable seamless interaction between remote VR participants and on-site AR users. His doctoral work focuses on developing full-body avatar representation for smartphone users through inverse kinematics and body tracking to enhance immersion, presence, and authenticity in shared virtual environments. His research has been published in leading international venues including IEEE ISMAR, ACM VRST, ACM CHI, Cyberworlds, and Springer’s The Visual Computer, contributing to advancements in XR user representation, interaction, and collaborative virtual spaces. Elhassan holds a Master of Science in Digital Media Engineering and Technology from the German University in Cairo (GUC), where he specialized in HCI, VR, and collaborative virtual environments, and played an instrumental role in founding the university’s Virtual Reality Cluster to support XR research, teaching, and innovation. His academic journey also includes serving as a teaching and research assistant at GUC, where he developed and taught a Unity Game Development course, supervised undergraduate and postgraduate research projects in VR, AR, and HCI, contributed to the establishment of an XR research lab, and authored multiple academic publications. Alongside academia, Elhassan has extensive industry experience that bridges scientific research with real-world practice. He is the CEO and Co-Founder of Null Digital Illusion and Entertainment Studio (Null DIES), an indie game and interactive media studio through which he has directed and developed over 16 interactive experiences and games across VR, PC, and mobile platforms for commercial and creative applications, collaborating with clients such as Toshiba, Persil, and the Egyptian Ministry of Investment and International Cooperation. He additionally served as the XR Lead at Robusta Studio, managing multidisciplinary XR teams and delivering nine enterprise-level immersive solutions for major organizations, leading creative strategy, design, development, and execution of interactive media products. His industry expertise includes game direction, interactive experience design, XR prototyping, technical leadership, stakeholder communication, and cross-functional team management. Elhassan also contributed to academic curriculum design as Adjunct Faculty at the American University in Cairo (AUC), where he co-created and taught a game design course that enabled students from computer science and design disciplines to collaboratively build and prototype original games within six weeks. Passionate about the future of immersive interaction, video games, and extended reality, he is driven by the vision of enabling humans to play, co-create, communicate, and co-exist within interconnected physical–digital hybrid worlds—summed up in his own words: “TL;DR: Trying to build the Matrix.”

Profiles: Google Scholar  | LinkedIn

Featured Publications

Makled, E., & Co-author, A. (Year). Title of the paper. Proceedings of the IEEE International Symposium on Mixed and Augmented Reality (ISMAR).
Makled, E., & Co-author, B. (Year). Title of the paper. Proceedings of the ACM Symposium on Virtual Reality Software and Technology (VRST).
Makled, E., & Co-author, C. (Year). Title of the paper. Proceedings of the ACM Conference on Human Factors in Computing Systems (CHI).
Makled, E., & Co-author, D. (Year). Title of the paper. Cyberworlds.
Makled, E., & Co-author, E. (Year). Title of the paper. The Visual Computer.

Yuchao Feng | Spatial Computing | Best VR Researcher Award

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Dr. Yuchao Feng | Spatial Computing | Best VR Researcher Award

Zhejiang University of Technology | China

Yuchao Feng is an emerging researcher in remote sensing, computer vision, and multimedia computing, known for his significant contributions to change detection, high-resolution image reconstruction, and hyperspectral image classification. With an expanding academic footprint and a series of publications in leading IEEE and ACM journals, he focuses on developing advanced, efficient, and high-accuracy deep learning models for analyzing complex visual and geospatial data. His work addresses key challenges in Earth observation and multimedia imaging by proposing innovative neural network architectures that improve performance, reduce computational complexity, and enhance the interpretability of spatial–temporal information. Yuchao’s research spans multiple interconnected domains, including bitemporal change detection, spatial–temporal feature representation, MRI reconstruction, reference-based image super-resolution, and hyperspectral image processing. A distinctive aspect of his work lies in the integration of multi-scale feature learning, contrastive attention, latent-space modeling, and cross-temporal interaction mechanisms to extract meaningful patterns and improve generalization in real-world applications. His influential papers published in the IEEE Transactions on Geoscience and Remote Sensing (TGRS) highlight his contributions to the remote sensing community, particularly his 2023 and 2022 works that introduced novel architectures for multitemporal change detection and cross-interaction feature fusion, offering advancements for urban development monitoring, environmental change analysis, and land observation management. In addition, he has contributed to the ACM Transactions on Multimedia Computing, Communications, and Applications (TOMM) through impactful studies in spatial–temporal learning and feature registration for image super-resolution. His conference papers presented at ICASSP and ACM events further demonstrate his interdisciplinary approach that bridges geospatial analytics, multimedia computing, and medical imaging, including a lightweight collective-attention network for change detection and a latent-space unfolding method for MRI reconstruction. Beyond his research publications, Yuchao actively contributes to the scientific community as a peer reviewer for several prestigious journals, including IEEE Transactions on Geoscience and Remote Sensing, IEEE Journal of Selected Topics in Applied Earth Observations and Remote Sensing, International Journal of Remote Sensing, Digital Earth, and ISPRS Journal of Photogrammetry and Remote Sensing, reflecting his expertise and recognition in the global research ecosystem. Driven by a commitment to advancing intelligent Earth observation and data-driven decision-making, his research aims to create scalable, efficient, and high-performance AI-based solutions for remote sensing applications. With a strong foundation in deep learning for visual and geospatial data analysis, Yuchao is poised to make continued contributions that influence academia, industry, and applied Earth science research. His growing scholarly record, technical innovation, and interdisciplinary perspective highlight his potential as a promising research leader in next-generation remote sensing intelligence, AI-powered geospatial solutions, and high-performance multimedia systems.

 

Profiles: Orcid | Google Scholar

 

Featured Publications

Feng, Y., Qin, M., Jiang, J., Lai, J., & Zheng, J. (2025). Axial-shunted spatial-temporal conversation for change detection. ACM Transactions on Multimedia Computing, Communications, and Applications.

Zheng, J., Liu, Y., Feng, Y., Xu, H., & Zhang, M. (2024). Contrastive attention-guided multi-level feature registration for reference-based super-resolution. ACM Transactions on Multimedia Computing, Communications, and Applications.

Feng, Y., Jiang, J., Xu, H., & Zheng, J. (2023). Change detection on remote sensing images using dual-branch multilevel intertemporal network. IEEE Transactions on Geoscience and Remote Sensing.

Feng, Y., Shao, Y., Xu, H., Xu, J., & Zheng, J. (2023). A lightweight collective-attention network for change detection. ACM Conference Paper.

Yuanyuan Lu | Digital Health Interventions | Best VR Researcher Award

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Ms Yuanyuan Lu | Digital Health Interventions | Best VR Researcher Award

 

Communication University of China | China 

Yuanyuan Lu is an emerging researcher in Virtual Reality (VR) therapy and digital health innovation, currently pursuing a Master’s degree in Digital Arts at the School of Theatre, Film and Television, Communication University of China, where she explores the intersection of immersive media, psychology, and human–computer interaction (HCI) to create meaningful mental health solutions for young audiences. She specializes in translating clinical therapeutic practices into engaging interactive experiences, with a strong focus on adolescent emotional well-being, game-based interventions, and user-centric design. Her flagship research project, “NightmareBreaker: VR Therapeutic Adventure Game for Adolescent Night Fear Management,” stands as a notable contribution to VR-based emotional intervention research. As lead designer and researcher, she developed a unique therapeutic gameplay model that integrates Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), exposure-based design, and guided breathing exercises into a narrative-driven VR experience tailored specifically for adolescents experiencing night-related fear and anxiety. By introducing a “friendly horror” aesthetic, she redefined the concept of fear-exposure therapy in a way that is safe, age-appropriate, and empowering rather than intimidating, enabling young users to build emotional resilience through playful confrontation rather than avoidance. A key innovation of this project is the custom breathing-interaction mechanism, designed to support emotional self-regulation through real-time integration of user breathing patterns into gameplay, reinforcing calmness, grounding, and confidence during challenging in-game scenarios. User studies demonstrated significant emotional benefits and anxiety reduction among participants, validating VR’s potential as a complementary therapeutic tool for youth mental health. The research achieved international recognition through acceptance and publication at CHI PLAY 2025, a leading ACM conference in games and HCI, reflecting the global academic value of Yuanyuan’s work and establishing her early contribution to the field of VR therapy. Her research interests span VR Therapy, Mental Health, Digital Health Interventions, Game Design, HCI, and Adolescent Psychology, and her work is characterized by an interdisciplinary approach that merges artistic design, scientific grounding, emotional storytelling, and technology-enabled behavioral support. As a member of SIGCHI, she is actively engaged with the global HCI research community and is committed to advancing VR-based emotional health solutions that are accessible, effective, and appealing to younger generations. Yuanyuan is motivated by the belief that mental health interventions should be relatable and immersive, especially for adolescents who respond positively to digital and experiential forms of support, and she aims to expand her research into scalable VR therapeutic models that can be integrated into schools, counseling programs, and community mental health settings. Through her innovative work and commitment to meaningful societal impact, Yuanyuan exemplifies the qualities aligned with the Best VR Researcher Award, demonstrating creativity, research excellence, and a strong vision for the future of VR in mental health care.

Profile: Orcid

 

Featured Publication

Lu, Y. (2025). NightmareBreaker: VR Therapeutic Adventure Game for Adolescent Night Fear Management. In CHI PLAY 2025 — Proceedings of the Annual Symposium on Computer-Human Interaction in Play. ACM