Andrew Maxim: Passionate Researcher in Human-Centered Computing and Virtual Human Interventions

Andrew Maxim is a dedicated PhD student in Human-Centered Computing at the University of Florida, where he is a member of the Virtual Experiences Research Group (VERG) lab under the supervision of Dr. Benjamin Lok. His research is focused on the study and application of vocalics, or paralinguistics, to improve the outcomes of virtual human interventions. Andrew’s work aims to enhance the effectiveness of virtual interactions, leveraging the power of non-verbal communication to create more engaging and immersive experiences.

Andrew holds a Master of Engineering in Systems Engineering from Iowa State University and a Bachelor of Science in Management Information Systems from Excelsior College. His passion for understanding the human element in technology led him to the fascinating world of Human-Centered Computing at the University of Florida, where he now works to bridge the gap between humans and virtual environments.

As an accomplished researcher and speaker, Andrew has given numerous invited talks and presentations on virtual human customization, tailored telehealth interventions, and using virtual technology for culturally appropriate cancer prevention messaging. He has shared his knowledge and expertise at various conferences, symposiums, and meetings, such as the UF Cancer Research Symposium for High School Students, UF Cancer Research Conference for Science Teachers, and NRG Oncology Semiannual Meeting.

Andrew’s academic achievements have earned him numerous honors and awards, such as the Team-based Interdisciplinary Cancer Research Training (TICaRT) Fellowship, the Graduate School Preeminence Award, and the Generation Next (GenNEXT) Scholar recognition from the University of Florida.

Beyond his research, Andrew has extensive professional experience in technology and infrastructure roles across various industries. He has held positions as the Manager of IT Infrastructure and Support at Intelident Solutions, Vice President of Information Technologies at Sun Dental Labs, and Infrastructure Architect at US Salt, LLC, among others.

In addition to his professional and academic pursuits, Andrew is the founder of Proverbs, LLC, a video game publishing company that utilizes novel approaches to open game play to a broader audience. He has also contributed to the discipline through invited talks and presentations and as a reviewer for IEEEVR and ISMAR conferences.

Feel free to connect with Andrew to learn more about his research, discuss potential collaborations, or simply chat about the exciting world of virtual human interventions and Human-Centered Computing.