Yuchao Feng | Spatial Computing | Best VR Researcher Award

Published on by VR Research Awards

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

Published on by VR Research Awards

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

 

Amruta Deshpande | Computer Science | Best VR Researcher Award

Published on by VR Research Awards

Dr. Amruta Deshpande | Computer Science | Best VR Researcher Award 

Indira University | India


Dr. Amruta Deshpande is a seasoned academic leader with over 16 years of experience in Human Resource Management, Employment Relations, Organizational Behavior, and Higher Education, recognized for her contributions to research governance, academic strategy, and institution-building. She currently serves as Professor – School of Business and Associate Dean, Research & Development at Indira University, Pune, where she leads the university-wide R&D vision in alignment with UGC, NAAC, NIRF, and global ranking frameworks. A dedicated researcher, she has 31 research publications, 58 citations, and an h-index of 4, with scholarship focusing on industrial relations, employee well-being, diversity & inclusion, HR analytics, and sustainability in workplaces. Dr. Deshpande is an Editorial Board Member for reputed Q1/Q2 journals under Emerald and Taylor & Francis and serves as a peer reviewer for Scopus, Web of Science, and ABDC-listed journals. She is a recognized research ecosystem architect, having established and led the R&D Department at Indira Group of Institutes, formulating research policies, SOPs, governance structures, and integrity frameworks including Turnitin processes, ethical review mechanisms, and publication quality monitoring systems. She has successfully designed PhD program structures, doctoral evaluation models, and capacity-building initiatives for faculty and research scholars, promoting high-quality research, grantsmanship, IPR, and consultancy outcomes. Dr. Deshpande has led multiple international conferences, special issues, academic collaborations, and global partnerships that enhanced institutional visibility and academic impact. She also integrates research, innovation, and entrepreneurship by aligning publications, patents, consultancy, and incubation initiatives with industry and societal needs. With prior academic roles across leading Indian institutions, she has taught MBA, PGDM, and undergraduate programs, mentored young researchers, and driven curriculum innovation to prepare learners for the future of work. She is committed to positioning Indira University as a global research hub, including the initiative to launch the university’s own Scopus-indexed journal.

Profiles:  Scopus |  Orcid | Google Scholar  | LinkedIn

Featured Publications

Deshpande, A., Raut, R., Kaul, N., & Mittal, A. (2024). Mindfulness matters: unravelling its influence on job demands and emotional exhaustion in remote work. International Journal of Organizational Analysis. (Scopus Q1)

Mittal, A., Raheja, K., Raut, R. & Deshpande, A. (2023). Fostering perceived wealth among SMEs through green business: unveiling the mediating influence of consumers’ green attitude. Management of Environmental Quality. (Scopus Q1, ABDC B)

Deshpande, A., Raut, R., Gupta, K., Mittal, A., Raheja, D., Ekbote, N. & Kaul, N. (2023). Predictors of the continued intention of working professionals for pursuing e-learning courses for career advancement. Info Discovery and Delivery. (Scopus Q1)

Aggarwal, A., Mittal, A., Sharma, I., Chand, P. K., & Deshpande, A. (2025). Success doesn’t come to you, you go to it: the role of self-perceived employability among engineering graduates. Industrial and Commercial Training. (Scopus Q1, ABDC B)

Deshpande, A., Raut, R., Kaul, N., & Mittal, A. (2025). Tech facilitated fairness: examining the impact of technology on perceived fairness in interpersonal conflict resolution. Global Knowledge, Memory and Communication. (Scopus Q2, Web of Science)

Haleh Ayatollahi | Health Informatics | Editorial Board Member

Published on by VR Research Awards

Dr. Haleh Ayatollahi | Health Informatics | Editorial Board Member

Iran University of Medical Sciences | Iran

Dr. Haleh Ayatollahi is a distinguished Professor of Medical Informatics at the Iran University of Medical Sciences (IUMS), widely recognized for her leadership in digital health, telemedicine, and health information systems. She holds a PhD in Health Informatics from the University of Sheffield, UK, and has a strong academic foundation in medical records and health information management through an Associate Degree, B.Sc., and M.Sc. from IUMS. Over the course of her academic career, she has built an impactful research portfolio with 105 scholarly publications, 5,546 citations, and an h–index of 21, reflecting her significant influence on the field of health informatics both nationally and internationally. Her research focuses on technology-enabled healthcare transformation, digital health adoption, telemedicine implementation, user experience evaluation, and data-driven approaches to improving healthcare delivery and patient outcomes. Prof. Ayatollahi currently serves as the Director of the Deputy of Research and Technology at both the School of Health Management and Info Sciences and the Health Management and Economics Research Centre at IUMS, where she plays a key role in shaping research strategies, fostering innovation, strengthening scientific collaborations, and advancing the university’s digital health research capacity. She is also a Member of the Medical Informatics Evaluation and Examination Board, contributing to curriculum development, academic standards, and capacity-building in medical informatics education across Iran. Her professional journey includes valuable academic and administrative roles, including serving as a Teaching Assistant at the University of Sheffield, a University Lecturer at Kashan University of Medical Sciences, and Postgraduate and Education Office Administrator at IUMS. She continues to supervise postgraduate research, publish in high-impact journals, and lead projects focused on health information systems, digital health literacy, and sustainable technology adoption in healthcare, making her one of the leading voices in shaping the future of health informatics in the region.

Profiles: Scopus | Google Scholar  

Featured Publications

Mirasghari, F., Ayatollahi, H., & Velayati, F. (2025). Users’ perspectives about challenges of using telemedicine for patients with diabetes during the COVID-19 pandemic. Digital Health, 11, 20552076251325969.

Toni, E., Toni, E., Fereidooni, M., & Ayatollahi, H. (2024). Acceptance and use of extended reality in surgical training: An umbrella review. Systematic Reviews, 13, 299.

GBD 2021 Forecasting Collaborators. (2024). Burden of disease scenarios for 204 countries and territories, 2022–2050: A forecasting analysis for the Global Burden of Disease Study 2021. The Lancet, 403(10428), 2204–2256.

Fereidooni, M., Toni, E., Toni, E., & Ayatollahi, H. (2024). Application of virtual reality for supportive care in cancer patients: A systematic review. Supportive Care in Cancer, 32, 570.

Eslami Jahromi, M., & Ayatollahi, H. (2023). Utilization of telehealth to manage the COVID-19 pandemic in low- and middle-income countries: A scoping review. Journal of the American Medical Informatics Association, 30(4), 738–751.

Ayatollahi, H., Gholamhosseini, L., & Salehi, M. (2019). Predicting coronary artery disease: A comparison between two data mining algorithms. BMC Public Health, 19, 448.

Mohammed Rayan Saiba | Immersive Learning | Best VR Researcher Award

Published on by VR Research Awards

Dr. Mohammed Rayan Saiba | Immersive Learning | Best VR Researcher Award 

Michigan State University | United States

Dr. Mohammed R. Saiba is a researcher and construction management professional with strong academic and industry experience across Ghana, the UK, and the United States. He is currently pursuing a PhD in Construction Management at Michigan State University, following a Master’s in Construction Project Management with BIM from Northumbria University and a Master’s in Construction Management from Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology. His research focuses on mass timber education, emerging technologies in construction, modern methods of construction, and sustainable built environments. He has co-authored several peer-reviewed publications in top journals such as Buildings, Sustainable Development, and Environmental Science & Pollution Research, exploring themes like VR/AR in AEC education, sustainability, and Industry 4.0 integration. Professionally, he has held roles as a Research Intern, Academic Assistant, Assistant Quantity Surveyor, and Project Engineer, contributing to procurement, project delivery, and sustainable practices in construction. His technical proficiency spans BIM software (Revit, 3ds Max, AutoCAD, Unity3D), project tools (Procore, Primavera P6), and programming (Python, R). A LEED Green Associate, he continues to advance innovation, digital transformation, and sustainability within the global construction industry.

Profiles: Google Scholar  | LinkedIn

Featured Publications

Saiba, M. R., Berghorn, G. H., Nubani, L., Cetin, K., & Syal, M. M. (2025). Transforming AEC Education: A Systematic Review of VR/AR in Mass Timber Curriculum. Buildings, 15(16), 2938. https://doi.org/10.3390/buildings15162938

Maqbool, R., Saiba, M. R., & Ashfaq, S. (2025). Organisational Innovation Performance and Sustainable Development: Fostering a Constructing Context of Project Management Practices and Integrated Approaches. Sustainable Development. https://doi.org/10.1002/sd.70052

Maqbool, R., Saiba, M. R., Rashid, Y., Altuwaim, A., & Ashfaq, S. (2022). The Influence of Industrial Attitudes and Behaviours in Adopting Sustainable Construction Practices. Sustainable Development. https://doi.org/10.1002/sd.2428

Maqbool, R., Saiba, M. R., & Ashfaq, S. (2022). Emerging Industry 4.0 and Internet of Things (IoT) Technologies in the Ghanaian Construction Industry: Sustainability, Implementation Challenges, and Benefits. Environmental Science & Pollution Research. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11356-022-24764-1

Maqbool, R., Akubo, S. A., Rashid, Y., Ashfaq, S., & Saiba, M. R. (2023). Solar Energy and the Circular Economy Policies for Sustainable Management. In Solar Energy Harvesting, Conversion and Storage (1st Edition). Elsevier. ISBN: 9780323906012. https://www.elsevier.com/books/solar-energy-harvesting-conversion-and-storage/khalid/978-0-323-90601-2

Mario Covarrubias | Automotive & Manufacturing VR | VR Research Excellence Award

Published on by VR Research Awards

Assoc. Prof. Dr Mario Covarrubias | Automotive & Manufacturing VR | VR Research Excellence Award 

 Politecnico di Milano | Italy

Dr. Mario Covarrubias Rodríguez is a distinguished multidisciplinary researcher whose academic and professional pursuits span the intersection of virtual reality (VR), mixed reality (MR), human–computer interaction (HCI), and inclusive design. His research is driven by a vision to harness immersive technologies for the advancement of education, rehabilitation, and cultural heritage preservation. Through his work, Dr. Covarrubias Rodríguez seeks to bridge the gap between digital innovation and human experience, ensuring that technological progress contributes meaningfully to learning, recovery, and social inclusion. A central focus of Dr. Covarrubias Rodríguez’s research lies in developing immersive and interactive environments that support cognitive and physical rehabilitation. His studies in VR-based stroke rehabilitation have demonstrated how virtual environments can assist patients in regaining motor skills, improving engagement, and enhancing therapeutic outcomes. By integrating engineering design principles with biomedical and psychological insights, he has contributed to the creation of adaptive systems that personalize therapy according to individual needs, making rehabilitation more motivating and effective. Dr. Covarrubias Rodríguez has contributed to the creation of virtual tours, 3D reconstructions, and interactive museum experiences that allow users to explore historical sites and artifacts in immersive detail. By combining computer-aided design (CAD), 3D visualization, and VR storytelling, he helps safeguard intangible and tangible heritage for future generations while making it accessible to global audiences. He has published widely in renowned journals and conference proceedings such as Computer-Aided Design and Applications, Lecture Notes in Computer Science (LNCS), and IEEE Rehabilitation Robotics. His work is characterized by methodological rigor, interdisciplinary collaboration, and a focus on real-world applicability. To date, he has authored or co-authored nearly 484 publications, with over 98 citations and an h-index of 10, reflecting both the breadth and depth of his contributions to the field. Beyond his research achievements, Dr. Covarrubias Rodríguez actively promotes the integration of inclusive design and accessibility in emerging digital systems. His overarching goal is to ensure that innovations in virtual and mixed reality are not only technologically advanced but also socially responsible and human-centered. Through his pioneering work, he continues to inspire a new generation of researchers, educators, and engineers committed to creating immersive digital technologies that empower individuals, enrich learning, and enhance human well-being across diverse communities.

Profiles: Scopus | Orcid | LinkedIn

Featured Publications

Covarrubias, M. (2024). Enhancing inclusive education for young students with special needs through mixed reality: Exploring the potential of CNC milling machine application. Computer-Aided Design and Applications, 21(3), 522–535. (Q1, IF 3.1, CiteScore 6.5).

Covarrubias, M. (2024). Exploiting virtual reality to design exercises for the recovery of stroke patients at home. Computer-Aided Design and Applications, 21(3), 463–473. (Q1, IF 3.1, CiteScore 6.5).

Covarrubias, M. (2024). Rapid prototyping in engineering education: Developing a hand exoskeleton for personalized rehabilitation. Computer-Aided Design and Applications, 21(3), 474–486. (Q1, IF 3.1, CiteScore 6.5).

Covarrubias, M. (2023). Google Earth in VR for students with special needs. Lecture Notes in Computer Science (LNCS 14219), Springer Nature, 3–14. (Q2, IF 2.4, CiteScore 4.1).

Covarrubias Rodriguez, M. (2023). Tintoretto Unveiled: Interactive virtual experience for artworks. Lecture Notes in Mechanical Engineering, Springer Nature, 1352–1363. (Q2, IF 2.2, CiteScore 3.8).