People

Julia is an Assistant Professor in the Bellini College of AI, Cybersecurity and Computing 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 the University of South Florida researching Human-Computer Interaction and natural user interfaces. His work focuses on designing accessible, intuitive, and adaptive interactions, with current research exploring how augmented reality can enable personalized learning experiences.

Haneen received a B.S. in Computer Science from the University of Florida in 2025.  She is currently working towards her M.S. in Computer Engineering at USF, with an expected graduation date of May 2028. Her motivation for joining the EnCoDe lab is that she is interested in working to optimize children’s learning environments using technology, in a way that is safe and enhances rather than hinders their learning experiences. She is particularly interested in exploring how children interact and respond to AR devices as a learning tool.

Tran is a M.S. in Computer Science student at University of South Florida, with an expected graduation date of Fall 2027. She received a B.S. in Computer Science from the University of South Florida in May 2026. She is interested in data analytics and user behaviors, particularly to apply data-driven approaches to understand and improve interactions between human and technologies (AI, AR/VR, and wearable devices).

Sophia is a Computer Science Master’s student at USF with an excepted graduation date of Spring 2028. She earned her B.S. in Information Technology from USF in Spring 2026. Her current research interests include applying Machine Learning to healthcare for early diagnosis and individualized support for patients. She is also interested in Human-Computer Interaction and using psychological principles to improve the design and usability of technology for students.

Venkata is a Computer Science Master’s student at USF with an excepted graduation date of Spring 2027. He also previously received a B.S. in Computer Science from USF in Spring 2026. His research interests involve the fields of integrated sensing, human-computer interaction, and computer vision. He is interested in integrating various common, commercial and everyday technologies such as Wi-Fi, cameras, AR/VR technologies and wearable technologies to find new ways of solving problems within important fields such as healthcare and learning.

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.

Greg is an undergraduate student majoring in Computer Science at USF with an expected graduation date of Spring 2028.He is fascinated by how children learn through technology and digital tools. His focus is on designing effective STEM education products that kids and teenagers actively want to use. He is particularly excited about creating interactive experiences that introduce young learners to robotics.

Sarrat is an undergraduate student majoring in Computer Science at USF with an expected graduation date of Spring 2028. Her research interests include human-computer interaction (HCI), spatial computing, and augmented reality. She is interested in building adaptive multimodal learning systems for children, combining real-time behavioral tracking, sensor integration, and intelligent interface design to create engaging educational experiences.

Shubhi is an undergraduate Computer Science and Honors student at USF, graduating in May 2027, with interests spanning product design, software engineering, and human-computer interaction. Her prior AI research through Honors coursework and presentations at OneUSF and the USF Humanities Institute sparked a deeper interest in how technology shapes human expression- from augmented reality interface design to education and health technology. She is also a fellow in the Computing Research Association’s UR2PhD & Bellini REU Program.