Category: Research

A University of Texas at Dallas researcher and his collaborators have developed an artificial intelligence (AI)-assisted tool that makes it possible for visually impaired computer programmers to create, edit and verify 3D models independently. The tool, A11yShape, addresses a challenge for blind and low-vision programmers by providing a method for editing and verifying complex models […]

Virtual keyboards are a frequent source of frustration for augmented reality (AR) users. The virtual surfaces are slow and error prone, and raising an arm to type on them can cause muscle strain known as “gorilla arm.” To improve virtual-typing experiences, University of Texas at Dallas researchers have designed a unique interface that allows users […]

Ningna Wang PhD’25 in computer science was recently chosen as one of eight up-and-coming researchers to participate in the prestigious and competitive 2025 WiGRAPH Rising Stars program. Selected alongside top students from MIT, Stanford, Carnegie Mellon University, Cornell and the University of Toronto, Wang’s recognition marks a significant milestone for both her and the Department of Computer Science.

Hundreds of students participated in a daylong symposium at The University of Texas at Dallas, where they presented research on topics ranging from disease screening to sound-sensing systems. The Summer Platform for Undergraduate Research (SPUR) symposium held Aug. 1 provided students the opportunity to present summer capstone projects and to gain experience conducting and presenting research. Students […]

Before earning the esteemed David Daniel Thesis Award at The University of Texas at Dallas, Dr. Simin Chen began his academic journey in a completely different field: civil engineering. With no formal training in computer science, he was driven by a deep curiosity about machine learning and a strong commitment to intellectual growth. That decision ultimately led him to complete a PhD in the UT Dallas Computer Science Department and to be named one of the University’s top doctoral graduates. The David Daniel Thesis Award, presented annually to two outstanding recipients from the Erik Jonsson School of Engineering and Computer Science and the School of Natural Sciences and Mathematics, recognized Chen’s dissertation Toward More Trustworthy and Efficient Machine Learning Software for its exceptional combination of technical sophistication, practical utility and interdisciplinary insight.

Through our interview series, we aim to showcase the experiences of CS alumni, current students, and faculty, providing valuable insights to inspire and guide future researchers. In this interview, we feature Dr. Austin Mordahl, who earned his PhD this year under the mentorship of Dr. Shiyi Wei.

He is now shaping the next generation of scholars as an Assistant Professor at the University of Illinois Chicago. Explore Austin’s journey for an in-depth view of his academic and professional experiences, where he reflects on his thesis, inspirations, and mental health.

Dr. B. Prabhakaran, a renowned computer science professor at UT Dallas, is recognized for his innovative contributions to multimedia systems, computer vision, and healthcare informatics.

His advanced research—encompassing multimedia data management, 3D medical imaging and video analytics—has been extensively published in leading journals and conferences, solidifying his status as a thought leader in these domains.

Virtual reality (VR) offers a captivating and immersive way to revolutionize learning and training, especially when it comes to safety-related concepts.

Despite its potential, the intricate development process has slowed its widespread use—until now. In an exciting breakthrough, the University of Texas at Dallas computer science professors Drs. Balakrishnan Prabhakaran, Shiyi Wei, Yu Xiang, and Jin Ryong Kim have secured an impressive $750,000 National Science Foundation (NSF) grant for their groundbreaking Scan to Multi-sensorial Interactive Learning Environment (SMILE) project. This substantial funding highlights the innovation behind SMILE and marks a significant step forward in bringing cutting-edge VR learning experiences to life.

Dr. Jin Ryong Kim and his innovative team at the Multimodal Interaction Lab (MI Lab) have recently garnered acclaim for their groundbreaking advancements in haptic and thermal technologies. Their exceptional contributions have been recognized with several prestigious awards, highlighting their transformative work in these dynamic fields.

At the IEEE Haptics Symposium 2024, Dr. Kim and his students were awarded the Best Demonstration honorable mention for their presentation on “Thermal Masking.” This phenomenon, also displayed at the 2024 ACM Conference on Computer Human Interaction (CHI) in Hawaii, showcases a novel thermal illusion where thermal referral completely masks the original thermal sensation, leaving only the tactile site to register thermal feedback.

What inspired you to pursue computer science for your college degree?

UT Dallas is renowned for its excellence in undergraduate Computer Science education. This rapidly growing field has abundant job opportunities now and in the future. Although I initially knew little about computer science when I chose it as my major, I have become confident that it will be a solid decision due to its high earning potential and the increasing demand in today’s digital world.