Welcome

DR. LORANS ALABOOD

Exploring the intersection of technology and accessibility—where creativity meets innovation. Dive into my work on cutting-edge XR and AI solutions, designed to empower neurodivergent individuals and revolutionize human-computer interaction. Welcome to my personal site! Here you can find my projects, publications and latest news.

Rounded Text

12+

Years of
Experience

25+

projects completed in
multiple countries

Expertise

My Expertise

Research

I am passionate about exploring new technologies and advancing knowledge in Human-Computer Interaction (HCI) and Extended Reality (XR). My transdisciplinary research focuses on creating innovative assistive technologies that improve the daily living of neurodivergent people through enhancing technology accessibility and usability. Understanding the target user group is crucial, which is why I immerse myself in the community I work with before starting prototyping.

10+ Projects

Design

I design intuitive, user-centered systems that elevate interaction across both physical and virtual spaces. My approach prioritizes accessibility, ensuring that each design caters to a diverse range of user needs and preferences. With over 12 years of experience in computational design and a deep understanding of design principles across multiple disciplines, I bring a distinctive creative touch to my work—consistently setting a high standard of innovation and quality.

20+ Projects

Development

As a developer, I build cutting-edge applications using XR and AI technologies, focusing on scalable systems that address complex challenges in both immersive and real-world environments. My journey in XR began in 2016 with the HTC Vive and Microsoft HoloLens 1, making me one of the earliest XR development experts. In addition to XR, I am a full-stack game developer specializing in Unity, bringing a comprehensive approach to interactive and immersive application development.

30+ Projects

Technical skills

Technical skills

Figma

Unity

Figma

Meta Quest Dev

Figma

MRTK

Figma

Blender

Figma

C#, Java, Python, Arduino

Figma

Graphic Design

Figma

NVivo

Figma

Ableton Live

resume

Recent Experience & Education

2024 - 2025

Research Fellow

Alberta Children's Hospital Research Institute

2022- 2024

Post Doctoral Research Associate

Department of Software Engineering | University of Calgary

2019- 2024

Contractor Teaching professor

HCI, Creative programing, Software development | University of Calgary

2014 - 2016

Due Diligence Researcher

Thomson Reuters | Malaysia

Education

2016 - 2022

Ph.D. in Computational Media Design

Department of Computer Science | University of Calgary

2013 - 2014

Masters of Science

University Science Malaysia

2007 - 2012

Bachelor of Engineering

Ittihad Private University | Syria

Philosophy

"Developing assistive tech requires Empathy & Creativity"

Creating assistive technology goes far beyond technical expertise—it requires a deep sense of empathy and a strong dose of creativity. As a Post-Doctoral researcher at the Schulich School of Engineering, I have dedicated my career to designing immersive applications that cater to the unique needs of individuals on the autism spectrum, particularly nonspeaking autistic individuals. In collaboration with the Department of Psychology at the University of Virginia, I explore how technologies like Augmented Reality (AR) and Cross-Reality (CR) can enhance communication for neurodivergent individuals. One of my key projects focuses on developing holographic typing systems and educational tools that provide new ways for nonspeakers to express themselves independently. With over 10 years of experience in both academia and industry, my work has spanned a range of assistive technologies, from smart home systems designed for seniors with Alzheimer’s and dementia to immersive AR and VR experiences. My design philosophy is rooted in understanding the specific challenges faced by the people I aim to help, ensuring that every solution is tailored to their needs. I also teach courses on human-computer interaction, creative programming, and web-based systems, where I emphasize the importance of designing with empathy. Accessibility is not just a goal—it's a guiding principle. Whether it's through creating more inclusive user experiences or developing cutting-edge technologies, my mission is to make the digital world more accessible and supportive for everyone. When I'm not immersed in research and teaching, I enjoy pursuing my creative side through music, woodworking, and airplane photography. These passions remind me that creativity is as much a part of technology design as any technical skill, and that the best solutions often come from thinking outside the box.

Recent publications

My Publications

XR

From Letterboards to Holograms: Advancing Assistive Technology for Nonspeaking Autistic Individuals with the HoloBoard

CHI 2024

  • One-third of autistic individuals are nonspeaking and communicate via letterboards.
  • The goal is to transition nonspeakers to digital spelling with less CRP support
  • The HoloBoard creates a shared virtual letterboard in Augmented Reality (AR)
  • 16 out of 23 participants spelled words independently after brief training.
  • 14 participants exceeded expectations, with 5 using the system solo
Read this paper

AI

Personalizing an AR-based Communication System for Nonspeaking Autistic Users

IUI 2024

  • Nonspeakers make up one-third of the autistic population and often lack effective communication alternatives.
  • Many use letterboards with human assistants but desire more independence and privacy.
  • Augmented Reality (AR) systems can reduce reliance on human assistants using virtual letterboards.
  • The study uses Behavioral Cloning (BC) to personalize letterboard placement based on users' motor skills.
  • The BC model outperforms non-ML methods in accuracy, enabling more autonomous communication for nonspeakers.
Read this paper

HCI

A systematic literature review of the Design Critique method

Journal 2023

  • The Journal of Information and Software Technology
  • The Design Critique (DC) method is gaining popularity in HCI and UX but lacks clear guidelines.
  • This paper proposes a generic process for running DC studies in UX.
  • A systematic review identified three DC process trends and a 10-step generic process.
  • DC studies improve system usability and align with Agile's light-weight steps.
Read this paper

All

Full list of publications

Full list since 2018

  • Press the button below for a full list of my publications and conference attended presentations
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Partnership and Affiliations

Partnership and Affiliations

Collaborated with leading organizations in innovation and tech

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