HUMAN INTERFACE TECHNOLOGY LABORATORY - Key Persons
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- Student, Communications ( 1996 - 1997 )
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- Student Aide, Knowledge Base Project ( 1996 - 1999 )
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- Student Assistant ( Cable Monkey ) ( 1995 )
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- Director of Public Relations
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- High School Intern, Summers ( 1994 )
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- Lab Assistant ( 1997 - 1998 )
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- Student Aide ( VRD ) ( 1994 - 1995 )
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- Research Engineer, Interengineering ( 1991 - 1994 )
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- Assistant Director of Operations
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- Masters Student, Interengineering ( 1995 - 1998 )
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- Industry Fellow, U. S. Navy
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- Faculty, College of Education ( 1993 - 2006 )
- Professor, PI
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- Consortium Manager, EDAW, Brisbane, Australia ( 1990 - 1993 )
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- Associate Director, WorlDesign ( 1989 - 1992 )
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- Lab Associate ( Suzanne Weghorst ) ( 1994 )
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- Student, a & a ( 1996 - 1998 )
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- Research Scientist
- Senior Research Scientist
- Research Scientist, PI
Brian Schowengerdt is a senior research scientist in the Department of Mechanical Engineering at the University of Washington, the chair of the Display Systems committee at the Society for Information Display, and associate editor at the Journal of the SID. Schowengerdt received his Bachelor's degree (summa cum laude) in 1997 from the University of California, Davis, with a triple major in psychology, philosophy, and German. He received his Ph.D. (University of California, Davis) in psychology, with an emphasis in cognition and perception, in 2004. Since 2001, he has been working in the Human Interface Technology Laboratory at the University of Washington, where he conducted a portion of his doctoral research and studied display system design and optical engineering.
His main research interest is in using our knowledge about the functioning of the human visual system and perception to develop displays that are more natural, realistic, and comfortable to use. His work involves 3D displays, retinal scanned light displays, autostereoscopic displays, interaction with displays, adaptive displays, human factors, and human vision.
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- Visiting Scholar, Santa Fe Institute ( 1991 - 1992 ) St. John 's College
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- Student Aide, Hardware and Sys Admin, Summers ( 1991 - 1995 )
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- Research Associate
- Bioengineering Student Aide ( Eric Seibel ) ( 1999 - )
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- Industrial Fellow, Boeing Computer Services ( 1990 - 1993 )
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- Visiting Scholar, University of Regina ( 1997 )
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- Senior Wire Design Engineer
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- Student Aide, Knowledge Base Project ( 1995 )
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- Masters Student, Human Factors ( 1993 - 1995 )
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- Grad Student, Western Michigan University ( 1993 - 1997 )
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- Lab Associate ( Mark Billinghurst ) ( 1996 )
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- Bioengineering Student Aide ( Eric Seibel ) ( 1998 )
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- Research Assistant
- Lab Associate
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- Principal R & D for MOSES - Large Scale Distributed OS for VR - Worked Remotely Between Summers
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- Affiliate Assistant Professor
- Faculty Associate
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- Student Assistant ( 1996 )
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- Member of the Faculty and Staff
- Research Scientist
- Research Engineer, Microvision ( 1996 - 1997 )
David is as research Scientist/Engineer and Principle Investigator in the Lab. He is involved in the development of the fiber scanning endoscope.
David has a strong interest in optics, electronics, mechanics, and applied physics. Prior to joining the Lab with the objective of making a small, flexible, and high resolution endoscope a reality, David worked at the California State University, Fresno, All Optical Networks, DotOn Inc. , MedCam Inc., CompOptics Inc., Microvision Inc., Information Optics Inc. and Advanced Marine Technology Inc.
David has a Bachelor of Science in Physics.
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- Masters Student, Library and Information Science ( 1996 - 1998 )
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- Computer Support Technician
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- Student Assistant ( Cable Monkey ) ( 1995 )
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- Visiting Scholar, Bauhaus University ( 1997 - 1998 )
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- Student Aide ( Admin ) ( 1990 )
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- Member of the Faculty and Staff
- Research Scientist
- Software Engineer, RPI ( 1996 - )
Bruce is currently pursuing a PhD in Industrial Engineering at the University of Washington. After a career in accounting Bruce changed his path into the direction of the sciences. He holds an M.S. degree in both Information Science and Computer Science.
Bruce's dissertation focuses on collaborative analysis and he applies his research to clients of Ocean Science at the UW. Bruce is interested in collaborative virtual reality and virtual community and he relates his interest and knowledge to a variety of research projects. Bruce participated in the VRML/X3D standard generation process, focusing on interfacing the Virtual Reality Modeling Language (VRML) with Java within the popular Web browsers. Evangelizing Java 3D and JOGL within Web applications followed naturally.
In his free time Bruce enjoys exercising by running and biking. He also loves traveling and is a keen follower of film festivals, the Vancouver International Film Festival being his favorite.
Dr. Bruce Donald Campbell
Research Scientist
206-616-1493
bdc hitl.washington.edu
Currently associated with the Virtual Scalable Basin, and PARVAC projects.
Job Titles:
- Member of the Faculty and Staff
- Lab Associate
Duff Hendrickson
Lab Associate
206-616-1468
duff hitl.washington.edu
Currently associated with the VR Treatments for Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder, and Burn Pain Control with VR projects.
Job Titles:
- Research Associate
- Faculty Associate, PI
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- Research Associate, IE ( 1993 )
Eliana is currently pursuing a Ph.D in Cognitive Studies in Education at the University of Washington. She has a Bachelor of Science in Computer Science.
Eliana joined the HIT Lab in 2003. She is interested in computer graphics, educational software, and fascination with innovated technologies. Eliana came in touch with the Magic book technology, developed in the Lab through attending SIGGraph several times as student volunteer. She also has friends who used to work in the lab, and was very impressed with their work.
Prior to joining the HIT Lab Eliana spent two years working as a programmer for a computer Graphics Laboratory at a University in Venezuela. After graduation she worked as a researcher on a project involving modeling with implicit surfaces. Her Masters thesis was a cooperative project between the computer science and medicine department. It was largely based upon digital imaging in the medical field.
In addition, Eliana worked in web and database development, and learned management systems research as a contractor.
Her main research interest is using technology for educational purposes, in particular, using digital games and simulations as tools to enhance learning and teaching.
Job Titles:
- Research Scientist
- Research Associate Professor
- Research Associate Professor, PI
Eric Seibel
Research Associate Professor
206-616-1486
eseibel hitl.washington.edu
Currently associated with the Wearable Low Vision Aid, Micro-optical fabrication of a fiber scanning system, True 3D Displays, and 3D Microscopy for Cancer Screening projects.
Job Titles:
- Summer Intern, Portland State University ( 1991 )
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- Industrial Fellow, Virtual Vision
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- Research Associate
- Research Associate, EE ( 1997 - 2006 ) Research Scientist, LifeSpan ( 2006 - )
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- Digital Design Engineer, Intermec ( 1994 - 1997 )
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- Lab Associate ( Erik Viirre ) ( 1998 - )
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- Visiting Scholar, Osaka Univeristy ( 1998 )
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- Student, EE ( 1996 - 1997 )
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- Lab Associate ( CAUP ) ( 1998 )
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- Research Scientist
- Research Scientist, PI
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- Student Assistant ( 1996 - 1998 )
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- Lab Associate ( Chris Shaw ) ( 1998 )
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- Budget Coordinator, UW Bioengineering ( 1992 )
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- Student Aide, Knowledge Base ( 1994 - 1995 )
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- Research Associate, ME ( 1997 - )
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- Student Assistant ( 1999 )
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- Student Assistant ( 1996 )
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- Lab Associate ( Hunter Hoffman ) ( 1999 )
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- Fraunhoffer Institute, Visiting Scholar
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- Student Aide, VMC ( 1997 - 1998 )
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- Student, Interengineering ( 1991 - 1993 )
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- Student ( VEOS ), EE ( 1990 - 1991 )
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- Lab Associate ( Don Parker ) ( 1998 )
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- Special Assistant to the Director ( 1995 - 1996 )
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- Lab Associate ( Hunter Hoffman ) ( 1999 )
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- Research Engineer, Optics ( VRD ) ( 1991 - 1997 ) Dimensional Media Associates
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- Student Assistant ( Cable Monkey ) ( 1995 )
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- Student, Human Interface ( 1993 )
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- Research Scientist
- Research Scientist, VRD ( 1997 )
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- Student, Dartmouth ( 1994 - 1995 )
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- Director of Software Development
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- Visiting Scholar, the Netherlands ( 1996 )
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- Visiting Scholar, National Institute of Bioscience and Human Technology, Japan ( 1994 )
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- Masters Student, Technical Communications ( 1992 )
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- Student Assistant ( 1993 - 1994 )
Job Titles:
- Student Aide, Knowledge Base Project ( 1996 )
Job Titles:
- Member of the Faculty and Staff
- System Administrator
- Information Tech & Services
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- Masters Student, Interengineering ( 1993 - 1995 ) Worlds Inc.
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- Masters Student, EE ( 1993 - 1994 )
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- Research Assistant, IE ( 1997 )
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- Masters Student, Interengineering ( 1990 - 1992 )
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- Computer Support Technician ( VRRV ) ( 1994 - 1995 )
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- Reasearch Associate, MoF ( 1997 )
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- Temp Staff, ComVista ( 1995 )
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- Computer Support Technician ( VRRV ) ( 1995 )
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- Industrial Fellow, Boeing Computer Services ( 1991 - 1992 )
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- Research Assistant ( Suzanne Weghorst )
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- Research Assistant, IE ( 1997 - 1998 )
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- Lab Associate ( Toni Emerson ) ( 1999 )
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- Director HITLab NZ
- Student, New Zealand ( 1991 )
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- Student, Human Factors ( 1994 - 1995 )
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- Masters Student, Interengineering ( 1991 - 1993 )
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- Lab Associate ( Max Wells ) ( 1998 )
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- Special Assistant to the Director, UW Temp Services ( 1994 )
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- Research Assistant, EE ( 1997 )
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- Masters Student, Interengineering ( 1991 - 1993 )
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- Lab Associate ( Max Wells ) ( 1998 )
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- Student Assistant ( 1995 )
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- Research Scientist ( 1989 - 1992 )
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- Visiting Scholar, Spatial Media Group, University of Aizu, Fukushima, Japan ( 1991 )
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- Lab Associate, CHMC Project ( 1996 )
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- Research Engineer, EE ( 1993 - 1995 )
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- Research Scientist, 3D Video ( 1997 - 1998 )
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- Computer Support Technician ( VRRV ) ( 1995 )
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- Student Assistant ( 1999 )
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- Research Associate, Geography ( 1997 - )
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- Independent Study Student
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- Lab Associate ( Tom Furness ) ( 1998 )
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- Computer Support Technician
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- Research Engineer ( Greenspace ), EE ( 1990 - 1994 )
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- Professor, Bus. ( 1993 - 1994 )
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- Visiting Scientist, Department of Telemedicine, University Hospital of Tromsoe
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- Member of the Faculty and Staff
- Software Engineer
- Research Engineer
- Research Engineer, PI
A computer graphics artist, Mr. Oppenheimer's evolution into three dimensional output media emerged from his desire to transcend the boundaries of computer aesthetics. During his nine years at the New York Institute of Technology's Computer Graphics Lab, Oppenheimer developed many of the tools he used to create his artwork. He has produced experimental film and video production, still artwork, music videos and computer graphics projections for live theater and music performances.
Mr. Oppenheimer received a master's in computer science from Stanford and an A.B. in mathematics from Princeton. He has worked at IBM Watson Research Center with Benoit Mandelbrot, Bell Labs, and New York Institute of Technology before arriving at the HIT Lab.
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- Student Assistant ( 1995 )
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- Special Assistant to the Director
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- Lab Associate ( Bill Winn ) ( 1998 )
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- Research Scientist
- Director of Engineering, Information Optics ( 1993 - 1996 )
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- Student Aide ( Admin ) ( 1991 )
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- Lab Associate, Resonant Reality ( 1995 )
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- Manager of Special Projects ( 1995 - 1997 )
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- Research Associate
- Educational Researcher
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- Student Aide ( VRD ) ( 1997 )
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- Visiting Scholar
- Visiting Scholar, University of Puget Sound
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- Research Associate
- Lab Associate ( Mark Billinghurst ) ( 1998 )
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- HS Teacher, VRRV ( 1994 - 1995 )
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- Student Aide, Knowledge Base Project ( 1995 )
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- Lab Associate ( Erik Viirre ) ( 1997 )
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- Lab Associate ( 1996 - 1997 )
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- Lab Associate ( Susan Tanney ) ( 1997 - 1998 )
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- Pacific Science Center Technology Camp
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- High School Intern, Summer ( 1993 - 1991 )
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- Lab Associate ( Don Parker ) ( 1998 )
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- Electronics Technician ( 1994 - 1996 )
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- Masters Student, IE ( 1996 - 2001 )
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- Assistant Director for Research ( 1997 - )
- Director, PI
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- Lab Associate ( Toni Emerson ) ( 1998 )
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- Director
- Director Emeritus, Professor
- Director HITLab International, PI
- Professor of Industrial Engineering
- Research Scientist / Founding Director of the
Dr. Furness is a pioneer in the development of interfaces between humans and complex machines. He has been a crusader for over the past 24 years for building aircraft cockpits which take into account the perceptual organization of the human. Most of his work has centered on the concept of virtual interface technologies which prove a circumambience of three dimensional spatial information to the human using the visual, auditory and tactile sensory modalities.
Professor Furness is the founding father of the HIT Lab and is often referred to as the 'Grandfather of Virtual Reality' due to his outstanding contribution to the advancement of this field.
Tom Furness is a Professor of Industrial Engineering and holds Adjunct Professorships in Electrical Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Aeronautics and Astronautics and Technical Communications at the University of Washington. He has a B.S. in Electrical Engineering from Duke University and a Ph.D. in Engineering and Applied Science from the University of Southampton, England.
Professor Furness started the HIT Lab in Sept 1989 with the aim of developing a national laboratory that was dedicated to empowering people by building interfaces to advanced machines. He has led the HIT Lab into becoming one of the world's leading virtual reality research laboratories. His leadership, vision and continued dedication to his students, staff and fellow researched have earned him wide respect and recognition.
In his current role as Director Emeritus, Professor Furness will assist the new leadership of the HIT Lab to continue its world status as a center for creative research and in interface development. He will continue to serve as a principal investigator, mentor of graduate students, teach courses and work on long term and high risk projects. He is currently the International Director of the HITLab New Zealand.
Professor Furness' intent is to develop a worldwide network of HIT Labs such as the HITLab in New Zealand and to engage the young people of the earth in creative problem solving through the organization of a Virtual World Society.
Professor Furness spent the first 23 years of his professional career working for the Department of Defense (USAF), primarily at Wright-Patterson Air Force Base, near Dayton, Ohio. His work centered on developing advanced cockpits for fighter aircraft. In the process of his work, he developed a new family of virtual interfaces that evolved into what we know today as virtual reality. He pioneered the development of both virtual displays and head-mounted tracking systems, 3D sound systems and other interfaces. Prior to leaving the Air Force in 1989, Professor Furness started the Super Cockpit program to develop a cockpit that the pilot wears that would deeply couple the 3D human capabilities to the machine.
Professor Furness has been widely recognized for his outstanding career, he received the Satava Award (with the HIT Lab) for advances in medical technology and in 1998 he also received the Discover Award for Technological Innovation for his ground-breaking technology: the Virtual Retinal Display. The award is considered the equivalent of an Oscar for Science and Engineering.
Professor Furness' research interests center upon empowering people by developing tools that engage, enlighten and even entertain. To be useful, he believes that these tools should be configured to 'impedance match' the perceptual and cognitive abilities of the human thereby providing optimal pathways to get bandwidth to the brain and between brains. He sees this as a quest for the ultimate interface. He also feels that technology should be used to solve pervasive problems in the world such as world hunger, renewable energy, desolating diseases such as AIDs, aging, illiteracy etc. Tom Furness also fears that our technology may be causing more problems than it is solving, e.g. pollution and global warming, genetically modified food etc. He sees his quest as helping to make the world a better place by the enlightened use of technology, bringing minds together to solve these problems.
In his rather scarce free time Professor Furness enjoys his four grandchildren and being creative in form of sketching, film-making and carpentry. He also likes surfing and hiking.
Job Titles:
- Research Assistant
- Lab As a Research Assistant
Tim Soper works at the Lab as a research assistant. He is involved with the Fiber Scanning Endoscope project.
Job Titles:
- Masters Student, EE ( 1993 )
Job Titles:
- Director of Information Services, Library Science and Information ( 1993 )
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- Lab Associate ( Mark Billinghurst ) ( 1998 )
Job Titles:
- Budget Coordinator
- Fiscal Specialist
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- Lab Associate ( Hunter Hoffman ) ( 1999 - )
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- High School Intern, Virtual Worlds Society ( 1991 - 1994 )
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- Principal Scientist, Interval ( 1989 - 1994 ) Seattle University
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- Lab Associate ( Hunter Hoffman ) ( 1999 )
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- Babbit, Assistant Professor ( 1996 - 1997 )
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- Masters Student, Interengineering ( 1996 - 1998 )
Job Titles:
- Human Factors Lab, Visiting Scholar