I'm a computer scientist working in R&D and building AR/VR technology. In fall of 2020, I (re-)joined Facebook Reality Labs as a Research Engineer. My research interests span computer graphics, avatars, human perception, and all day everyday spatial computing.

My group
is working on computational wearability: how do we design AR headsets that are comfortable and functional for all day everyday wear. We're looking for three research engineers with a passion for applied research and a multidisciplinary background in one or more of the following areas: graphics & 3D scanning, computer vision & faces, machine learning, visual ergonomics and/or anthropometrics.

I got my PhD in 2014 from the Robotics Institute at Carnegie Mellon University where I was part of the graphics lab and spent arguably too much time looking at how people blink. I did stints as a mouseketeer at Disney Research, Jedi in training at Industrial Light and Magic, and visiting student at the Max Planck for Biological Cybernetics in Tuebingen, Germany. From 2016 to April 2020, I was lead Computer Scientist at Magic Leap's Advanced Technology lab in Seattle where I helped design and prototype next generation mixed reality systems and applications.

My undergrad was at Mount Holyoke College where I first got a taste of VR research and graduated Magna cum Laude with a BA in Computer Science in 2008. In Romania, where I grew up, I used to have a lot of fun with math olympiads and attended the International Computer High School of Constanta. I'm into books, making things with my hands, board games, and learning. I volunteer for SIGGRAPH and IEEE VR and I try to pay it forward through mentoring. Nowadays I also spend time in the rare disease world as Director of Research for the Association for Creatine Deficiencies.

[Highlights]

May 2019: Project Alive

I mentored the group of UW iSchool students who built a spatial computing educational app. The experience was designed and deployed in collaboration with the Pacific Science Center to enhance the physical dinosaur exhibit with mixed reality.

August 2018: VR@50

At SIGGRAPH 2019, together with Henry Fuchs, we put together a panel and celebration of Ivan Sutherland's first AR prototype from 1969. It was a historing event with any of his students and collaborators attending.

June 2018: Keynote

Computational Cameras and Displays
CVPR Workshop