SIGGRAPH Asia 2023 Program Committee Chairs

Conference Chair

Associate Lecturer, UNSW Art & Design

Australia

June Kim joined UNSW Art and Design as an associate lecturer teaching media arts and interaction design in 2021 after working in the animation and VFX industry for about 10 years. Her interest in practice and research is in the function of immersion and simulation in human culture from historical and emerging perspectives.

She has been serving ACM SIGGRAPH as International Resources Committee Chair and on the Diversity and Inclusion Committee. She was chair, juror, and reviewer for multiple programs at the SIGGRAPH and SIGGRAPH Asia conferences for over a decade.

Her research interests revolve around the utilisation of Virtual Reality as an artistic medium for exploring the relational dynamics between 'I' and 'surroundings'.

Art Gallery Chair

Research Manager, Powerhouse Museum

Australia

Deborah Lawler-Dormer is the Research Manager at the Powerhouse Museum, Sydney. Her work is transdisciplinary and often engages art, science and technology in collaboration with industry, tertiary and community partners. She was the lead curator for the recent exhibition Invisible Revealed (2022) developed in partnership with Australian Nuclear Science and Technology Organisation. This year she is Chair of the Art Gallery for Siggraph Asia in December 2023.

Deborah is also an Adjunct Research Fellow at Institute for Culture and Society at Western Sydney University. Recent publications include a chapter on ‘Critical posthumanist practices from within the Museum’ in Herbrechter, S., Callus, I., Rossini, M., Grech, M., de Bruin-Molé, M. and Müller The Palgrave Handbook of Critical Posthumanism (2022) and with Christopher John Müller, Macquarie University, Sydney ‘Posthumanist Interfaces: Developing New Conceptual Frameworks for Museum Practices in the context of a Major Museum Technology Collection’ for Posthumanism in Practice edited By Christine Daigle and Matthew Hayler.

Art Gallery Producer

Lecturer, UNSW Art & Design

Australia

Deborah Turnbull Tillman is a visionary curator with a distinct focus on the fusion of design, technology, and new media. Her journey into the world of curation commenced with the innovative Beta_space project, an experimental gallery nestled within the Powerhouse Museum. This pioneering initiative shed light on interactive art from the audience's perspective, sparking Deborah's enduring fascination with the convergence of technology and traditional art.

This fascination led her to a pivotal role as Assistant Curator for Design & Technology at the Powerhouse Museum. In this capacity, she orchestrated impactful exhibitions such as ISEA2013, designTECH, Good Design, and Game Masters, all of which celebrated the dynamic interplay between technology and creativity.

Her commitment to advancing the field is exemplified by her PhD accomplishment in September 2018, titled 'New Media Curation: A Novel Methodology and preliminary criteria for exhibiting new media and interactive art.' This thesis delved into the disruption and experiential learning within the curatorial process. Her in-depth case studies encompassed projects like Denouement for VIVIDMusic 2015, ISEA 2015: Disruption, and Re/Pair for the Big Anxiety Festival at UNSW Art & Design in 2017. Notably, she co-curated the thought-provoking exhibition "SHErobots" at Tin Sheds Gallery in collaboration with A/Prof. Lian Loke and Dagmar Reinhardt from October to December 2022.

Beyond her curatorship, Deborah wears the hats of an editor and author, enriching her contributions to the field. She began her teaching journey at UNSW Art & Design in 2016, securing a Tenure Track Lecturer position in Media Arts and Curatorial in 2021. As a testament to her influence, she has served as the Creative Director of New Media Curation since 2008, further bolstering her reputation in the curatorial landscape. Her illustrious career also includes a tenure as the Creative Director of the Powerhouse Museum (2012-2014) and the attainment of her PhD from the Creative Robotics Lab at UNSW, which focused on innovative curatorial practices. As Director of Education and Work Integrated Learning at the School of Art & Design, her unwavering dedication to shaping the future of curatorial arts and education continues to leave an indelible mark. For a glimpse into her research endeavours, visit here.

Art Papers Chair

Research Professor, Duke University,

United States

Victoria Szabo is a Research Professor of Visual and Media Studies in the Department of Art, Art History & Visual Studies and Gender, Sexuality, and Feminist Studies at Duke University. She is also affiliated with Innovation & Entrepreneurship and Science and Society. She is also the Program Director for Information Science + Information Studies, and the Director of Graduate Studies for the interdisciplinary PhD in Computational Media, Arts & Cultures. She is also co-principal of the Psychasthenia Studio art collaborative.

Her interests are in digital media and cultures, in theory and in practice, with special attention to media history and its impact on received understandings of the past, and the ways in which critical engagement with new media and information technologies can transform our understandings of history, art, and culture.

Victoria’s current projects focus on spatial and augmented reality technologies such as interactive maps, virtual worlds, games, and hybrid reality systems, and how they can be applied to humanities teaching and research. She is also interested in the digital remediation of historic archives and exhibitions into interactive experiences and is a member of the Visualizing Venice/Visualizing Cities consortium, as well as a partner on the NC Jukebox, Digital Durham, Visualising Lovecraft, and Mapping Occupied Krakow projects, among others. She holds a PhD in English from the University of Rochester and worked as a professional academic technology developer at Stanford before coming to Duke in 2006.

Victoria is past chair of the Digital Arts Community at SIGGRAPH and leads the Arts Advisory Group. She has also served as Art Gallery Chair and Art Papers Chair for SIGGRAPH in North America.

Business & Innovation Symposium Co-Chair

Research Director, CSIRO’s Data61 and Professor, UNSW

Australia

Dr. Liming Zhu is a prominent figure in the world of technology and research, currently serving as the Research Director of the Software and Computational Systems division at CSIRO’s Data61, Australia's leading entity for data and AI innovation. In addition, he holds a conjoint full professorship at the University of New South Wales (UNSW), showcasing his wide-ranging expertise.

With a diverse academic and professional journey, Dr. Zhu's path has been marked by valuable experiences in technology leadership across the software industry. His educational journey culminated in a PhD in software engineering from UNSW. Impressively, he has guided the research endeavours of over 20 PhD students and generously shared his knowledge by teaching software architecture courses at prestigious institutions like UNSW and the University of Sydney.

Dr. Zhu's influence extends beyond academia as he leads impactful initiatives, chairing Standards Australia's blockchain committee and actively participating in AI trustworthiness-related committees. A Graduate of the Australian Institute of Company Directors, he has carved a path of excellence in the dynamic fields of AI/ML infrastructure, responsible AI, distributed systems, blockchain, privacy, and cybersecurity. His publication record comprises over 300 academic papers, contributing to the advancement of software architecture, dependable systems, and AI engineering.

Amidst his multifaceted roles, Dr. Liming Zhu embodies a steadfast commitment to fostering innovation, responsible AI, and cutting-edge technologies that transform industries and reshape the future of technology.

Business & Innovation Symposium Co-Chair,

Sr. Director, Global Head of Developer Programs, NVIDIA

United States

Will Ramey serves as Senior Director at NVIDIA, where he is responsible for leading the company's worldwide developer programs and training initiatives. His journey with NVIDIA since 2003 encompasses both technical and managerial roles, including a significant tenure as the Product Manager for the groundbreaking CUDA parallel programming platform.

Before joining NVIDIA, Will's dynamic career included overseeing an independent game studio and pioneering advanced technology for the entertainment realm while holding roles as a product manager and software engineer. Armed with a degree in computer science from Willamette University, he further enriched his intellectual horizons through the immersive Japan Studies Program at Tokyo International University.

At NVIDIA, he guides industry-leading global teams responsible for the NVIDIA Developer Program and Deep Learning Institute, reflecting his commitment to fostering the next wave of technological advancements. His legacy is that of a strategic visionary, shaping the contours of modern computing and inspiring the next generation of technological pioneers.

Outside of work, Will enjoys playing piano, learning Spanish, open-water swimming, and pickleball.

Computer Animation Festival Co-Chair

Director, Griffith Film School

Australia
 

Herman Van Eyken, a magna cum laude graduate with a Masters Degree in Audio Visual Arts from the RITS national film school in Brussels in 1979, boasts a prolific career encompassing film directing, academia, and industry engagement. Following his studies, he secured an Italian Government fellowship, leading him to refine his craft through extensive film studies at prestigious institutions such as the University of Rome, under Prof. Mario Verdone and the University of Bologna under Prof. Umberto Eco.

Having directed over 200 films during a 40-year period, his works span various genres, including commercials, documentaries, short and long feature fiction films and feature-length films on dance and opera. These films have earned acclaim, featuring in shortlists and competitions at renowned film festivals globally, and capturing several awards. In 1990, he returned to RITS, where he assumed a professorial role in Film Directing, sharing his expertise and nurturing emerging talent.

Throughout his career, Herman has played a pivotal role in shaping film education and industry discourse. He established workshops for film professionals, co-production workshops with acclaimed international guests, and participated in panels and public interviews. His dedication to education led him to establish Singapore's inaugural film degree program at LASALLE, College of the Arts.

Herman's contributions extend beyond his roles, with specialised papers presented at international bodies, including UNI-MEI and ASEF. As a film academic, writer, producer, and director, he's left a mark on competitions across Europe and the Asia Pacific, even serving as a jury member at the 54th Locarno International Film Festival in 2001. His multifaceted journey reflects an unwavering commitment to the world of film, education, and innovation. He currently serves as Director of the Griffith Film School, Australia’s largest film school. He was the elected Chair of the CILECT Asia Pacific Association for the last 8 years.

Computer Animation Festival Co-Chair,

Creative Director, Industrial Light & Magic

Australia

Rob Coleman, the Creative Director at Industrial Light & Magic's Sydney studio, is a Canadian animation director with an impressive track record. He has received two Oscar nominations for his animation work on Star Wars: Episode I – The Phantom Menace and Star Wars: Episode II – Attack of the Clones, and BAFTA nominations for Men in Black and The Phantom Menace.

With over three decades of experience, Rob's career has taken him to various corners of the animation world, including a 14-year tenure at Industrial Light & Magic (1993-2005) and Lucasfilm Animation, where he closely collaborated with visionary George Lucas on iconic projects such as the Star Wars prequels and The Clone Wars animated series.

During his tenure as Head of Animation at the renowned Australian visual effects and animation studio, Animal Logic, from 2012 to 2021, Rob's leadership was pivotal in shaping the studio's creative endeavours on projects such as The LEGO Movie, The LEGO Batman Movie, and the Peter Rabbit films.

Rob's career exemplifies his dedication to pushing the boundaries of animation. An Academy, BAFTA, and VES Award-nominated animation supervisor, Rob's expertise and leadership have consistently led him to the forefront of groundbreaking projects. His creative direction and commitment to excellence continue to inspire animators and filmmakers alike, leaving an enduring legacy within the industry.

Courses Chair, Engineer, Netflix

United States

Pol Jeremias Vila is a computer graphics engineer currently innovating real-time graphics technology at Netflix. Before this, he held the role of Senior Lead Graphics Engineer at Pixar Animation Studios, where he made significant contributions to the development of filmmaking technologies such as USD/Hydra, OpenSubdiv, Storm, and Presto. Pol's work is featured in several films, including Luca, Soul, Toy Story 4, Incredibles 2, Coco, and Finding Dory, among others. Prior to his venture into filmmaking, Pol specialised in rendering technology for various games, including Star Wars 1313 and The Force Unleashed 2 at LucasArts.

Aside from his contributions to films and games, Pol co-founded Beautypi LLC with Iñigo Quilez, a company dedicated to bringing computer graphics everywhere. In 2013, Beautypi released Shadertoy.com, a global social network with tens of thousands of contributors that enables graphics enthusiasts to create and share computer graphics knowledge. Today, Shadertoy is one of the biggest repositories of computer graphics experiments, ideas, and projects. In 2020, Beautypi released Memix, a software to improve video conferencing using computer graphics technology. Memix was acquired that same year by Mmhmm Inc. In 2022, Pol received the ACM SIGGRAPH Practitioner Award for the development of Shadertoy and other contributions to computer graphics.

Pol has spoken at and juried work for multiple international conferences and events, including the Game Developers Conference, SIGGRAPH, SIGGRAPH Asia, FMX, GTC, and Eurographics. From 2012 to 2021, Pol was involved with SIGGRAPH, the premiere conference in computer graphics, he directed the Computer Animation Festival, Real-Time Live!, and the Immersive program. In 2021 Pol was be the SIGGRAPH Conference Chair.

Demoscene Chair

Managing Director, Thinking.Studio

Australia 

Joe Cincotta started his career in computer science in 1997. Following many twists and turns from digital advertising for global companies, to CTO of successful tech startups, to computational research in medicine, he finally found his home at Taronga using AI for animal welfare and wildlife conservation.

Before his career started though, Joe loved coding. He started programming in 1983 and actively coding in the demoscene in 1988 on the Commodore 64, with entries in the WOT demo of the year. Joe helped organize “Illegal ’89” one of Australia’s very first demoscene events and continues to participate in the community today with events like Flashback, and coding on multiple platforms (C64, Mega65, Amiga and PC)

Fun fact: Joe’s first demoscene party was nearly shut down by police because some kids got caught writing their names on the front of the Commodore Business Machines factory which was near the party venue.

Doctoral Consortium Co-Chair, Local Committee

Science Director and Deputy Director, CSIRO’s Data61

Australia

Aaron Quigley is a leading figure in the world of computer science, celebrated for his extensive contributions to research, academia, and conference leadership. Currently holding the role of Science Director and Deputy Director of CSIRO’s Data61, his influence reaches far and wide. Armed with a PhD in Computer Science from the University of Newcastle and a 1st class honours degree in Computer Science from Trinity College in Dublin, Ireland, Aaron's academic journey is marked by excellence.

His illustrious achievements include chairing the ACM CHI conference steering committee and earning recognition as an ACM Distinguished Scientist in 2020. With more than 210 internationally peer-reviewed publications to his name, Aaron's research delves into discreet computing, global HCI, pervasive and ubiquitous computing, as well as information visualization. Impressively, he has delivered over 50 invited talks as an ACM Distinguished Speaker, generously sharing his insights with a global audience.

Aaron's role as an IEEE Senior Member and his participation in various significant committees underscore his commitment to advancing the field. He has chaired 30 international conferences and played vital roles on over 90 conference and workshop program committees. Holding a prestigious place as the Honorary General Chair for the 22nd IEEE International Symposium on Mixed and Augmented Reality (ISMAR) and as a Doctoral Consortium Co-Chair for the ACM SIGGRAPH Asia 2023 conference, Aaron's influence shapes the landscape of human-computer interaction.

With a rich tapestry of experience that includes academic and industry appointments in Singapore, Australia, Japan, USA, Germany, Ireland, and the UK, Aaron Quigley's impact on computer science continues to shape the present and future of technology.

Doctoral Consortium Co-Chair,

Senior Lecturer, School of Electrical Engineering and Computer Science, University of Queensland

Australia

Dr. Mashhuda Glencross stands as a prominent figure at the cutting edge of research and innovation, skillfully combining her expertise in computer graphics and human-computer interaction to tackle real-world challenges across diverse sectors.

In her current role as the Director for Teaching and Learning at the School of Information Technology and Electrical Engineering at the University of Queensland, Dr. Glencross also spearheads the Graphics and Visualization theme within the Centre for Energy Data Innovation. Her research is firmly grounded in practicality, with a focus on crafting tools and technologies that empower decision-makers in the energy industry.

Drawing from a rich background in industry-oriented research, Dr. Glencross has adeptly bridged the divide between academia and tangible impact. Her work in computer graphics has been propelled by industry contracts and research council funding, resulting in significant commercial effects spanning computer games, visual effects, displays, mobile phones, and image-based capture technologies.

Glencross' journey has been marked by notable achievements, including her role as Director of Technical Product Management for a Graphics Processor Unit at ARM Ltd (UK), where her contributions found their way into mobile phone handsets. She is also recognized as a co-founder of two UK-based technology startups, each showcasing her innovative prowess. As a prominent advocate for the computer graphics community, Dr. Glencross holds the position of SIGGRAPH 2023 Emerging Technologies Chair. Her commitment to the field extends to her roles as a member of the steering committee of the ACM PACM journals and an associate editor of the Computers & Graphics journal. Additionally, she holds the esteemed title of Senior Member of the ACM, cementing her reputation as a seasoned professional in the industry.

Doctoral Consortium Co-Chair,

Chief Solution Architect & Global Head for Nvidia AI
Technology Center, NVIDIA Corporation, Singapore

Professor Simon See is currently the Solution Architecture and Engineering Director, Chief Solution Architect and Global Head for NVIDIA AI Technology Center, NVIDIA Corporation. He is also an Adjunct Professor at Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Conventry University, and Universitas Indonesia (UI). He is also a distinguished fellow in Fudan University. Previously Professor See is also the Chief Scientific Computing Advisor for BGI (China) and has a position in Nanyang Technological University (Singapore) and King-Mong Kung University of Technology (Thailand). Professor See is currently involved in a number of International computational, mathematical science projects and national AI initiatives.

Recently Professor Simon has been appointed as the Executive Director of the ASEAN Applied Research Centre (AARC). His research interests are in the area of High-Performance Computing, Big Data, Artificial Intelligence, Machine Learning, Computational Science, Applied Mathematics and Simulation Methodology. Professor See is also leading some of the AI initiatives in Asia Pacific. He is a Steering Committee member of NSCC’s flagship High Performance Computing Conference Supercomputing Asia (SCA) since March 2018. He has published over 200 papers in these areas and has won various awards in the field.

Professor See is a Fellow member of IET, Chairman of TaskForce of IEEE’s CIS Neural Networks Technical Committee, a member of SIAM, IET, AAAI, SCS, and also on the Advisory Team of AIP (AI Professional Association), International Advisory Board of Institute of Operations Research & Analytics (IORA), Advisory Team of Machine Intelligence and Data Analytics Research Centre (MIDARC), School of Computing Sciences (India) and Board of Studies, MS Tech Programs of Mahindra University, Editorial Board Member of Journal of Computational and Cognitive Engineering (JCCE), The Industry Advisory Committee for Bachelor of Science in Computer Science in Real-time Interactive Simulation and Interactive Media and Game Design at Singapore Institute of Technology (SIT) and the committee member of more than 50 conferences.

Professor See graduated from the University of Salford (UK) with a Ph.D. in electrical engineering and numerical analysis in 1993. Prior to joining NVIDIA, Professor See worked for SGI, DSO National Lab. of Singapore, IBM, International Simulation Ltd (UK), Sun Microsystems and Oracle. He is also providing consultancy to a number of national research and supercomputing centers.

Educator’s Forum Co-Chair, Associate Head of School —

Research, School of Art and Design

Auckland University of Technology (AUT)

New Zealand

Gregory Bennett stands as a respected authority in the domain of digital art and education, celebrated for his multifaceted expertise in the field. Currently serving as the Associate Head of School for the School of Art and Design at AUT, New Zealand, he brings his passion and knowledge to the forefront of education. With a focus on motion capture and extended reality, Gregory has been instrumental in shaping the curriculum and guiding aspiring artists and designers.

Beyond his role in academia, Gregory Bennett is a dedicated and accomplished digital artist whose creative journey encompasses a diverse range of mediums. From 3D animation to motion capture, projection mapping to interactive media, and virtual reality to extended reality, his artistic palette knows no bounds. With a Masters degree from the esteemed Elam School of Fine Arts, University of Auckland, he has cultivated a unique fusion of fine arts practice and moving image production, contributing to his distinctive artistic voice.

Gregory's impact transcends geographical boundaries, as his works have graced international platforms. His artistic endeavours have been showcased at prestigious new media festivals such as ISEA, Supernova Digital Animation, Currents New Media, and Rencontres Internationales New Cinema and Contemporary Art Paris/Berlin. His creations have garnered recognition and acclaim, capturing the essence of innovation and artistic expression.

Educator’s Forum Co-Chair

Associate Professor, University of Alaska

United States

Miho Aoki is a distinguished artist known for her exceptional talents and creative contributions in digital art. She began her educational journey at the Advanced Computing Center for Arts and Design, where she honed her skills in the realm of digital arts and animation. This journey culminated in the achievement of a Master of Fine Arts degree from Ohio State University, marking her as a true master of her craft.

Aoki's artistic brilliance shines through her captivating works, which have garnered acclaim across prestigious platforms. Her creations have graced the galleries of renowned institutions such as the Tokyo Metropolitan Museum of Photography and the University of Alaska Museum of the North, along with various esteemed art galleries. This global recognition serves as a testament to her ability to evoke emotion and convey profound meaning through her art.

Beyond traditional exhibitions, Miho Aoki has extended her creativity to dynamic realms. She passionately crafts computer-generated imagery. Furthermore, her dedication to education is evident through her production of educational videos that explain the principle concepts of art and design in an engaging manner.

She is a member of the ACM SIGGRAPH Education, International Resources, and External Relations Committees. She is also the co-chair of the Massive Collaborative Animation Project steering committee.

Emerging Technologies Co-Chair,

Professor, Keio University, Japan

Dr. Kouta Minamizawa is a pioneering researcher and visionary in the domain of embodied media and human experiences enriched by digital technologies. With a strong academic foundation and active participation in ground-breaking projects, he occupies a leading position in innovation and interdisciplinary cooperation.

Dr. Minamizawa's academic voyage began with his completion of the Department of Mathematical Engineering and Information Physics at The University of Tokyo in 2005. His insatiable curiosity and dedication to exploration in wearable haptics technologies drove him to achieve a PhD in Information Science and Technology from the University of Tokyo in 2010, establishing his profound expertise in the field.

Currently, Dr. Minamizawa is directing his research group named Embodied Media Project in Keio University Graduate School of Media Design. In this role, he spearheads research and initiatives aimed at harnessing digital technologies to transfer, enhance, and create profound human experiences. His projects transcend traditional boundaries, focusing on haptic design, human augmentation, superhuman sports and cybernetic avatars. These endeavors have the power to revolutionize how we interact with the world around us.

Furthermore, as a founder of the Superhuman Sports Society, Dr. Minamizawa champions the fusion of technology and athleticism, ushering in a new era of human potential. His multifaceted expertise also finds expression as a Technical Advisor at Telexistence Inc., where he contributes his insights to shape the future of telepresence and robotics in the business field. Dr. Minamizawa's profound impact is amplified through his role as a project manager of the Cybernetic being project under the Moonshot R&D program by the Japanese government Cabinet Office and Japan Science & Technology Agency. This endeavor holds the promise of pushing the boundaries of what's possible and redefining our understanding of humanity and human-machine interaction.

With his remarkable achievements, Dr. Kouta Minamizawa stands as an exemplar of interdisciplinary collaboration, innovation, and visionary leadership. His contributions continue to shape the trajectory of technology and human experiences, leaving an indelible mark on the fields of embodied media and beyond.

Emerging Technologies Co-Chair

Associate Professor, City University of Hong Kong

Hong Kong SAR

Dr. Miu Ling Lam is a media artist and researcher in the fields of imaging science, robotics, and interactive media. Her contributions have garnered recognition and respect in both academia and the art world.

Currently holding the faculty position in the School of Creative Media at City University of Hong Kong (CityU), Dr. Lam's research explores cutting-edge areas, including computational photography and displays, robotics, and deep learning-based light field synthesis.

Before joining CityU, Dr. Lam honed her research skills during her postdoctoral fellowship at the University of California Los Angeles. Her earlier research encompassed diverse topics, ranging from multi-fingered robotic grasp to computational geometry for wireless sensor network deployment and obstacle avoidance for redundant manipulators using neural networks.

Dr. Lam's research journey is generously supported by prestigious entities such as the General Research Fund (GRF), Innovation and Technology Commission of Hong Kong Government (ITF), National Natural Science Foundation of China (NSFC), Croucher Foundation, and Hong Kong Jockey Club Charities Trust. Her contributions have been lauded with numerous awards and recognition, including multiple conference best paper awards and finalist for the best paper award in CVPR, World Cultural Council's Special Recognition Award, Croucher Fellowship, CityU Teaching Excellence Award, SCM Distinguish Teaching Award, CUHK MAE Outstanding Alumni Award, and the Honorary Mention Award of IFVA-Interactive Media.

As an esteemed member of the CityU Centre for Robotics and Automation and a fellow of CityU Centre for Applied Computing and Interactive Media, Dr. Lam holds pivotal roles that extend beyond research. She leads the Bachelor of Arts and Science in New Media program at CityU's School of Creative Media, shaping the education of the next generation of media artists and technologists. Her dedication to inclusivity and innovation is further evident through her leadership of education and community programs such as Jockey Club Project IDEA - Inclusive Digital and Experimental Arts and TEDY - Technologies for the Elderlies and Disabled People by Youths at CityU. Her influence extends to the larger arts community as the appointed members of several consultation/vetting panels for governmental and statutory bodies, including the Hong Kong Government Culture, Sports and Tourism Bureau, West Kowloon Cultural District Authority, Hong Kong Arts Development Council.

Dr. Miu Ling Lam's passion for innovation and artistic expression is not limited to academia alone. She has taken up the mantle of leadership as the Chair of SIGGRAPH Asia 2023 Emerging Technologies, underscoring her commitment to pushing the boundaries of technology and art. Her work transcends disciplines and continents, leaving an indelible mark on the intersection of art, science, and technology.

Featured Sessions Chair,

Co-founder of Motus Lab, The University of Sydney, Australia

Dr. Mike Seymour stands as a luminary at the crossroads of computer-generated imagery (CGI), pure mathematics, and cutting-edge Human-Computer Interfaces (HCI). His journey, a combination of academic excellence and extensive industry engagement, positions him as an influential researcher, educator, and visionary consultant.

Dr. Seymour embarked on his academic journey at the University of Sydney, where he earned a B Sc. with a focus on CGI and Pure Mathematics. His intellectual pursuits led him to obtain both his Masters (MBA) and his PhD from the same esteemed institution. His groundbreaking research revolves around developing and applying interactive real-time photorealistic faces within emerging HCI paradigms.

Prior to his academic pursuits, Dr. Seymour made substantial contributions to the visual effects landscape of the entertainment industry. His roles in research and film production were instrumental in his recognition, including winning an AFI award and receiving a nomination for a Prime Time Emmy in the USA. His talents spanned diverse areas, from compositing to visual effects supervision, and even second unit direction for various TV shows in both Australia and the UK.

Dr. Seymour's impact goes beyond his practical work. He is renowned as a writer, consultant, and educator, with his platforms fxguide.com and fxphd.com bridging the gap between the film and visual effects community and the cutting-edge research community.

Beyond his contributions to industry and education, Dr. Seymour's expertise extends to academia. He is a senior lecturer at the University of Sydney, co-directing the Motus Lab—a research hub that delves into digital humans and machine learning. His international collaborations with esteemed partners underscore his commitment to engaged research, a testament to his drive to explore the boundaries of technology.

Dr. Seymour's impact extends far beyond academia and industry, as he seeks to leverage his knowledge in transformative ways. His consultancy work with Hollywood studios and media companies showcases his ability to drive innovation at the intersection of technology and creativity. Furthermore, he envisions the application of media machine learning technologies in domains such as education and health, highlighting his dedication to making a lasting societal impact.

Mike has lectured and presented at NAB, ACM SIGGRAPH, FMX and SMPTE.

Mike races yachts on Sydney Harbour, and he has dedicated his spare time to perfecting killer cocktails.

Real-Time Live! Chair

Founder and CEO, Mod, Australia

Michela Ledwidge is a director who specialises in real-time and virtual production (VP). She is known for her productions Through The Eyes of Our Ancestors (2023), A Clever Label (2021), ACO Virtual (2013) and Horses for Courses (2001). She has extensive experience leading creative-technical teams and working with Unreal Engine and other VP tools. She also writes, directs, produces, and does voice acting.

Her work for other producers includes VP direction on Animal Logic animation Unhinged (2022), on-set hologram (VFX) consulting on Seth Larney sci-fi 2067 (2020) and VP direction and editing of mo-cap videos for Harry Shearer musical satire, The Many Moods of Donald Trump (2020).

Michela's upbringing was marked by global diversity, as she lived in several countries across Europe, Asia, Africa, America, and Australia due to her parents' work with the Australian Trade Commission.

Since 1993, she's been the driving force behind intricate creative and technical media projects spanning Europe, Australia, and the United States. In 2004, she founded Mod Films in the UK, followed by Mod in Sydney, Australia, in 2010. Michela is well-regarded for her groundbreaking 'remixable' approach to film architecture, earning her numerous awards.

Beyond her creative pursuits, Michela actively advises and participates in various organisations. Notably, she served as Vice President-Digital for the Australian Directors Guild and co-founded the Sydney Unity Users Group and Women in AR & VR, Sydney. Her latest venture, Grapho, is a spatial visualization tool tailored for graph storytelling.

STEAM for Youth! Chair

Project Leader at STEM Industry School Partnerships (SISP)

NSW Department of Education

Australia

Professor Scott Sleap is a respected STEM leader and visionary educator with a career spanning over 25 years dedicated to advancing technology education. His journey has been notable for numerous achievements that highlight his profound dedication to nurturing future STEM professionals.

In 2017, Professor Sleap initiated the development of the STEM Industry School Partnerships program for the NSW Department of Education, laying the foundation for transformative collaborations between academia and industry. He presently serves as a STEM Curriculum Support Advisor for the Curriculum and Reform Directorate, where he plays a central role in coordinating and amplifying the program's influence across educational landscapes.

Professor Sleap's trailblazing contributions have not gone unnoticed. He made history as the first Technology teacher to receive the prestigious Prime Minister's Prize for Excellence for Secondary Science Teaching, a testament to his innovative approach to education. His dedication to advancing the field of technology education earned him the honour of being recognized as a Winston Churchill Fellow. In 2020, his enduring commitment to excellence was further acknowledged with a National Commonwealth Bank Teaching Fellowship.

His leadership extends beyond awards, as he has been entrusted with the title of National Teacher of the Year by the Australian Design and Technology Teachers Association (DATTA), along with induction as one of only three national DATTA patrons. Professor Sleap's expertise also reaches the domain of cyber security, where he was appointed as a Cyber Security Ambassador for the NSW Cyber Security Innovation Node in 2019.

Currently, Professor Sleap is taking on an instrumental role in shaping the educational landscape with his leadership in establishing the National Space and Deep Tech Centre. His passion for technology education remains steadfast, consistently driving him to create a brighter future by nurturing the next generation of STEM professionals.

With an exceptional career trajectory marked by recognition, innovation, and dedication, Professor Scott Sleap continues to be a driving force in shaping the trajectory of STEM education in Australia and beyond.

Student Volunteer Chair

Emily is an engineer based in Western Australia. She has been involved in the SIGGRAPH Student Volunteer programs in various capacities for close to a decade and is honoured to be the Student Volunteer Chair for SIGGRAPH Asia 2023 in Sydney!

Talks Chair

Senior Lecturer, Creative Practice (Film, Screen, Animation)

Queensland University of Technology (QUT), Australia

Rewa Wright is a notable Senior Lecturer in Creative Practice, specializing in Film, Screen, and Animation at the Queensland University of Technology (QUT), Australia. With a rich background in media arts and immersive design, Rewa's expertise extends to the fascinating intersections of technology and creative expression. Her innovative work encompasses a wide spectrum of mediums, including augmented and mixed reality art, forging new connections between human bodies, plant signals, and self-organising data.

Her creative journey has spanned continents, as Rewa's remarkable work has graced exhibitions and events in Australia, Colombia, Korea, Portugal, Canada, Hong Kong, the United Kingdom, Spain, Aotearoa/New Zealand, and the United States. As a testament to her prominence in the creative sphere, she holds the position of Senior Lecturer in Film, Screen, and Animation at QUT, School of Creative Practice, further enriching the academic landscape with her innovative insights.

Throughout her remarkable career, Rewa's artistic prowess has resonated on an international scale. Her immersive XR art installations have been prominently featured in esteemed exhibitions such as the SIGGRAPH Asia Art Gallery (2019), Ars Electronica: In Kepler's Gardens (2020-21), the Aotearoa Digital Arts Symposium (2022), and the Queensland XR Festival (2022). Moreover, her participation in multiple iterations of the International Symposium of Electronic Arts (since 2014) attests to her enduring influence within the creative community.

As an academic, artist, and visionary, Rewa Wright embodies the spirit of innovation and curiosity. Her unique ability to merge technology, human experience, and the natural world marks her as a trailblazer who continues to shape the future of media arts and immersive storytelling.

Technical Communications & Posters Chair

PhD Student, ETH Zurich/Disney Research Studios

Switzerland

Rajesh spent 23 years at Walt Disney Animation Studios in various management and individual contributor roles, including incubating and managing the Hyperion renderer team and driving development for tools like XGen, Paint3D, hair (tonic, beast), cloth, snow (Matterhorn), and water (Splash) simulation.

He then served as the VP of Engineering at Spire Animation Studios, leading engineering efforts to empower artists in producing high-quality feature animation content through innovative workflows and game engine technology. More recently, Rajesh has embarked on a new journey as a PhD student at ETH Zurich, conducting groundbreaking research at the crossroads of rendering and machine learning as part of Disney Research.

Technical Papers Chair

Distinguished University Professor, University of Maryland

United States

Ming C. Lin is an accomplished American computer scientist, celebrated for her significant contributions to the field. She has held significant academic positions, first as the John R. & Louise S. Parker Distinguished Professor of Computer Science at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, next as the Elizabeth Stevinson Iribe Chair for the Department of Computer Science at the University of Maryland (UMD), College Park. She is currently a University Distinguished Professor, Barry Mersky E-Nnovate Endowed Professor, and Capital One E-Nnovate Endowed Professor. Her academic voyage has taken her through these prestigious institutions, leaving a lasting impact on the computer science community.

Lin's academic voyage began at the University of California, Berkeley, where she pursued her undergraduate and graduate studies in EECS, culminating in a BS, MS, and PhD. Her scholarly prowess and innovative spirit have earned her numerous accolades and recognitions, attesting to her profound influence on the field.

As an accomplished researcher, Lin's work has left a significant imprint on computer science. She is notably known for her pioneering contributions to collision detection, which have revolutionized the realm of interactive computer simulation. Her brainchild, the Lin–Canny algorithm, stands as a testament to her ingenuity in maintaining the closest pair of features of moving objects. Additionally, she has championed the use of axis-aligned bounding boxes to expedite collision detection, a concept that has found applications in diverse domains such as computer-aided design, computer games, virtual and augmented reality, robotics, urban planning, medical and healthcare applications.

Lin's dedication to her field is further reflected in her editorial roles. She has served as the Editor in Chief of IEEE Transactions on Visualization and Computer Graphics, thereby contributing to the dissemination of cutting-edge research within the community.

Throughout her career, Lin's accomplishments have been lauded with prestigious awards. Notably, she received the IEEE VGTC Virtual Reality Technical Achievement Award in recognition of her seminal contributions to interactive physics-based interaction and simulation for virtual environments. Her list of honors includes the NSF Young Faculty Career Award, UNC Hettleman Award for Scholarly Achievements, Beverly W. Long Distinguished Term Professorship, Washington Academy of Science Distinguished Career in Computer Science Award, and several best paper awards.

Ming C. Lin's legacy is solidified by her induction as a Fellow into prestigious organizations such as the National Academy of Inventors, ACM, IEEE, Eurographics, ACM SIGGRAPH Academy, and IEEE VR Academy. Her pursuit of excellence has not only shaped the trajectory of computer science but also inspired countless individuals to push the boundaries of knowledge and innovation.

Technical Papers Assistant Chair

Professor, Institute of Science and Technology Austria

Research Scientist, Google, Switzerland

Bernd Bickel, a renowned computer scientist, is a Professor at IST Austria, leading the Computer Graphics and Digital Fabrication Group, and a research scientist at Google. He is deeply invested in the convergence of computer graphics with robotics, computer vision, machine learning, and material science. His pioneering research is centred on expanding the horizons of digital content creation, simulation, and digital fabrication.

Bernd earned his Master's degree in Computer Science from ETH Zurich in 2006. Under the mentorship of Professor Markus Gross, he pursued his PhD studies at ETH Zurich and Disney Research Zurich. After his role as a visiting professor at TU Berlin, he became a research scientist and group leader at Disney Research in 2012. Since early 2015, he has been a part of IST Austria.

His work revolves around three interconnected challenges: innovating modelling and simulation methodologies, designing efficient algorithms for material representation and 3D geometry, and creating custom measurement systems for bridging real and virtual domains. Bernd's accomplishments encompass developing foundational frameworks for digitising humans, modelling and simulating material properties, and advancing computational design systems for functional artefacts.

Recipient of multiple prestigious awards, including the 2019 Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences Technical Achievement Award and the 2017 ACM SIGGRAPH Significant New Researcher Award, Bernd's contributions span across academia and industry. As an incoming professor at ETH Zurich in 2024, he will continue to shape the realms of computational design and computer graphics.

XR Co-Chair

Professor, Université Paris-Saclay

France

Dr. Christian Sandor, a dedicated professor at Université Paris-Saclay and the visionary leader of the VENISE team at CNRS (Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique), is on a two-decade-long odyssey through the fascinating realms of augmented reality. His unwavering belief in AR's transformative potential for our future has fueled his remarkable journey.

In 2005, he completed a doctorate in Computer Science from the Technische Universität München, Germany, under the guidance of Prof. Gudrun Klinker and Prof. Steven Feiner. Inspired by Alexander von Humboldt, he embarked on a journey to collaborate with esteemed research groups worldwide, residing outside of Germany ever since. He has lent his expertise to prestigious institutions, including The University of Tokyo (Japan), Nara Institute of Science and Technology (Japan), Columbia University (New York, USA), Canon’s Leading-Edge Technology Research Headquarters (Tokyo, Japan), and more.

Throughout his career, Dr. Sandor has secured significant funding, won awards at top conferences like IEEE International Symposium on Mixed and Augmented Reality (IEEE ISMAR) and ACM SIGGRAPH International Conference on Virtual-Reality Continuum and its Applications in Industry. His pioneering achievements extend to creating an Augmented Reality X-Ray system for Google Glass, earning him a Google Faculty Award. In 2020, he was designated Augmented Reality Evangelist at the Guangzhou Greater Bay Area Virtual Reality Research Institute.

His editorial roles encompass serving as an editorial board member for IEEE Transactions on Visualization and Computer Graphics, and a steering committee member for ACM Symposium on Spatial User Interaction and IEEE ISMAR (deputy chair). Dr. Sandor's distinguished career also includes being named "Associate Editor of the Year" by IEEE Transactions on Visualization and Computer Graphics in 2021, cementing his status as a revered authority in the field.

XR Co-Chair

Director of the Empathic Computing Laboratory and Professor

University of South Australia

New Zealand

Mark Billinghurst is a trailblazer in the captivating field of Human-Computer Interaction. As a Professor at the University of South Australia in Adelaide, his work focuses on pioneering computer interfaces that seamlessly meld the digital and physical worlds in ways that can enhance face-to-face and remote collaboration. With an impressive record of over 750 published papers, his research ventures into realms like wearable computing, Augmented Reality, and mobile interfaces. His main research interest is exploring how to create new ways for people to connect with one another using Augmented Reality (AR), Virtual Reality (VR), and physiological sensing.

He is currently the Director of the Australian Research Centre for Interactive and Virtual Environments (IVE), the largest academic AR/VR research centre in Australia. Before his tenure at the University of South Australia, Mark was the founding director of the HIT Lab NZ at the University of Canterbury and garnered professional experience at renowned entities such as British Telecom, Nokia, Google, Amazon, and the MIT Media Laboratory. His accolades include the recognition of his MagicBook project as the winner of the 2001 Discover award for best entertainment application, and the prestigious 2013 IEEE VR Technical Achievement Award for his contributions to the Augmented Reality research and commercialisation. He was elected as a Fellow of the Royal Society of New Zealand in 2013 and became an IEEE Fellow in 2023.

In addition to being IVE Director, Mark leads the Empathic Computing Laboratory at both the University of South Australia and the University of Auckland in New Zealand. His research spans Empathic Computing, Augmented and Virtual Reality, and collaborative systems. Over nearly two decades, he has had several roles within ACM SIGGRAPH and SIGGRAPH Asia, most notably as the XR Chair on two occasions, and as the Emerging Technologies Chair.