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Curriculum Vitae

Francisco R. Ortega

Associate Professor, Department of Computer Science · Colorado State University

Director, Natural User Interaction Laboratory (NUILab)

$5.5M+
External funding (NSF, ONR, DARPA, Dan Marino Foundation)
60+
Peer-reviewed publications · 3 US patents
NSF CAREER
Awardee · multimodal AR interaction

Summary

About

I am an Associate Professor of Computer Science at Colorado State University and director of the Natural User Interaction Laboratory. My research builds and studies multimodal interaction — gesture, speech, gaze, and touch — for augmented and virtual reality, with a strong commitment to accessibility and to training the next generation of computing researchers.

Before CSU I completed my Ph.D. and a postdoc at Florida International University, where the lab had its first home. My work has been supported by the NSF (including a CAREER award), the Office of Naval Research, DARPA, and the Dan Marino Foundation, among others. I have authored three books on 3D user interfaces, elicitation methodology, and multimodal interaction, and hold three U.S. patents.

The summary below hits the highlights. For the complete record — full publication list, service, teaching, and students advised — download the PDF.

Focus

Research areas

3D & spatial interactionMultimodal & microgesture inputGesture elicitationAugmented & virtual realityVisual search & cognitive loadXR for health & accessibilityAdaptive interfaces (ML / RL)XR training & education

Selected support

Funding highlights

2023–2028
NSF CAREERMultimodal and microgesture interaction techniques for augmented reality.
ONR
Office of Naval ResearchVisual search, cognitive load, and cueing in head-mounted AR for training.
DARPA
DARPAInteraction and perception studies supporting defense applications.
Foundation
Dan Marino FoundationInterfaces and XR experiences for young adults with autism.

Recognition

Selected awards & honors

Award
NSF CAREER AwardNational Science Foundation early-career honor.
Best Paper
Best-paper / best-demo recognitionsAt venues across the 3D interaction and XR community.
Patents
Three U.S. patentsIn interaction and input technology.

Authored

Books

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Full publication list, teaching, service, and students — in the PDF.

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