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"It is an honour for me to be Anjali's supervisor. Anjali has both the technical competence and the ability to embrace interdisciplinary methods, making her an ideal student in human-computer interaction. She can just as easily program prototype applications to explore new design ideas as she can run experiments and conduct interviews with end-users. I am always impressed to see how well Anjali can grasp new concepts and how resilient she is in tackling any challenges. Anjali has a genuine interest in helping people from different backgrounds use complex technologies and I'm sure that she will go a long way with her research. In addition to being a star scholar, Anjali also has an excellent presence in the classroom and dedicates a lot of time for service activities. Above all, Anjali always maintains a positive attitude and is a pleasure to have in the lab!"
- Parmit Chilana
Anjali Khurana
Computing Science doctoral student in the Faculty of Applied Sciences
I am a first-year Ph.D. student in the School of Computing Science with a research focus on applying human-computer interaction in inventing assistance techniques for novice users of AR/mixed reality applications under the supervision of Dr. Parmit Chilana. Prior to this, I completed MSc Computing Science-Thesis Program at SFU under the supervision of Dr. Parmit Chilana where I worked on designing visual in-application explainable chatbot interfaces (ChatrEx) that explain the underlying working of a chatbot during a breakdown and enhance usefulness, transparency, and trust among end-users.
WHY DID YOU CHOOSE TO COME TO SFU?
Before coming to SFU, I worked in the areas of Human-Computer Interaction (HCI) and research and development of software social innovations. I wanted to expand my knowledge and research experience in the field of human-computer interaction and found Dr. Chilana’s pioneering research in HCI very interesting and particularly her work in the field of user-centered software help and learning techniques. I chose to pursue my graduate studies with the renowned HCI group at Simon Fraser University i.e., IxLab (Interactive Experience Lab), which has adequate facilities and serves as a great learning environment to enhance my knowledge. I joined SFU for the MSc Computing Science-Thesis program in Fall 2019 and further, decided to continue my graduate studies as a Ph.D. student at Simon Fraser University under the supervision of Dr. Parmit Chilana.
HOW WOULD YOU DESCRIBE YOUR RESEARCH OR YOUR PROGRAM TO A FAMILY MEMBER?
With the transition of the interfaces from web applications to AI systems such as bots, and now AR/VR at present, my research focuses on helping users to have useful experience even during the situation of breakdowns or failures while interacting with these applications. My goal is to explore the design space of emerging technologies such as AR/Mixed Reality applications, Explainable AI, and design user-centered solutions that have the potential to enhance the usability, usefulness, and meaning of the technologies for end-users.
WHAT ARE YOU PARTICULARLY ENJOYING ABOUT YOUR STUDIES/RESEARCH AT SFU?
I am enjoying my research which I am conducting in the design space of HCI, explainable AI, and AR/VR under the supervision of Dr. Parmit Chilana. I am appreciative of all the support, motivation, and guidance from my supervisor. The IxLab (Interactive Experience Lab) is a renowned HCI group at Simon Fraser University that has adequate facilities and encourages collaborations and discussions among interdisciplinary teams, which serves as a great learning environment to enhance our expertise in different domains. Finally, the School of Computing Science offers great lab facilities and a graduate community that boosts the overall research experience.
HAVE YOU BEEN THE RECIPIENT OF ANY MAJOR OR DONOR-FUNDED AWARDS? IF SO, PLEASE TELL US WHICH ONES AND A LITTLE ABOUT HOW THE AWARDS HAVE IMPACTED YOUR STUDIES AND/OR RESEARCH.
Yes, I have received Special Graduate Entrance Scholarship, GPS Graduate Fellowship, Graduate Fellowship in Computing Science for Fall 2021. I am grateful to receive these awards, which have helped me to support my studies and focus on my research.
HOW WOULD YOU DESCRIBE YOUR PROGRAM/POSTDOC POSITION TO SOMEONE STILL SEARCHING FOR A PROGRAM OR POSTDOC POSITION?
The Ph.D. program offers in-depth research and hands-on experience in diverse research areas through strong coursework and lab resources. The faculty members in Computing Science are very knowledgeable and supportive. The Ph.D. program in Computing Science at SFU is a great exposure to experience cutting-edge research in diverse domains.
Contact : anjali_khurana@sfu.ca