People

Julia is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Computer Science and Engineering at USF, as well as the Director of the EnCoDe Research Lab. Her research focuses on understanding adults’ and children’s interaction behaviors and perceptions of technology. Julia earned her PhD in Human-Centered Computing from the University of Florida in 2022.

Email: juliaevewoodward@usf.edu
Office: ENB 332
juliawoodward.wordpress.com

Alejandro is a Computer Science and Engineering PhD student at USF with an expected graduation date of Spring 2028. He received his B.S. in Computer Science from USF with a Minor in Leadership in 2023. His current research interests are mainly centered around the advancement of Multi-modal HCI Interfaces as well as the ethical considerations of general AR/VR adoption in society.

Mehedi is a Computer Science and Engineering PhD student at USF with an expected graduation date of Fall 2028. He earned his B.Sc. in Computer Science and Engineering from Shahjalal University of Science and Technology in 2024. His research interests lie in Human-Computer Interaction (HCI), particularly at the intersection of accessible computing and the development of inclusive technologies. He is passionate about understanding human perception and cognition to create solutions that are accessible and equitable, enabling people of all physical and cognitive abilities to exceed conventional limits.

Andrew is a Computer Science and Engineering PhD student at USF with an expected graduation date of Fall 2029. He received his B.Sc. in Computer Science from the University of Calgary in 2024. He is interested in advancing Human-Computer Interaction through the design of natural user interfaces that prioritize accessibility, usability, and intuitive interaction across diverse populations.

Maria is a Computer Science Master’s student at USF with an expected graduation date of May 2026. She received her B.S. in Computer Science from the University of South Florida in 2023, and a degree in Mathematics and B.S in Software Engineering from Universidad del Norte in 2023. She is interested in Artificial Intelligence and Augmented Reality, particularly their applications in human interaction research.

Fareeza is an undergraduate student majoring in Computer Science and minoring in Math at USF with an expected graduation rate in 2026. Her interests lie within the intersection of machine learning and HCI to develop more empathetic technological interactions that cater to human behavior and needs. She wants to acquire hands on experience in HCI techniques to advocate for more intuitive user experiences.  

Anzhelika is an undergraduate student majoring in Computer Science and minoring in Math at USF with an expected graduation rate in 2026. She has taught programming to kids for the past 3 years, and her research interest lies in how HCI techniques and machine learning can significantly improve kids’ education, making it more effective and personalized. She hopes to use the knowledge she learns in the lab to develop her own online school that applies computer science to make it an accessible efficient learning space.

Niels is an undergraduate student majoring in Computer Science and minoring in Astronomy at USF with an expected graduation date of 2025. His research interests revolve around Natural User Interfaces (NUIs) and Human-Computer Interaction (HCI), particularly in the seamless integration of Augmented Reality (AR) for enhanced situational awareness and task performance. He aims to deepen his understanding of intuitive usability in user experiences and apply this knowledge when building immersive applications. 

Ngu (Michael) is an undergraduate student majoring in Computer Science at USF with an expected graduation date in 2026. He is deeply interested in researching & designing interfaces for emerging technologies like AI and AR/VR, through the lens of Human-Computer Interaction. He wants to create experiences that feel natural and intuitive, making these advanced technologies accessible and empowering for users.

Tanzeel is an undergraduate student majoring in Computer Science at USF with an expected graduation date in 2027. He is interested in human-computer interaction, focusing on how people use and conceptualize technology to design more effective user experiences. He is particularly drawn to projects involving the design of visual information for augmented reality (AR) headsets for both adults and children, as well as understanding how children think about and use technology.

Nusraat is an Undergraduate Computer Science student at USF (Spring 2026) interested in Human-Computer Interaction (HCI) and user-centered design, with a focus on how user behavior and feedback can guide the creation of intuitive, accessible experiences in domains such as health and education.