Don Kimber
Imagineer
As a principal scientist at FXPAL Don focuses on research involving Mixed Reality. He explores the overlap between computer graphics, computer vision and sensor technology. Don’s previous work on aspects of FXPAL’s video surveillance project looked at presenting live video information into a virtual model as a natural bridge between virtual and real worlds. Before joining FXPAL, Don spent 10 years at Xerox PARC as well such firms as Tymeshare, Excelan and Daisy. He received his B.E. from Stevens Institute of Technology; a M.S. from U.C. Santa Cruz in Computer and Information Sciences and his Ph.D. from Stanford University in Electrical Engineering.

Sven Kratz
Research Scientist
Sven’s research focuses on sensor-based mobile user interfaces that enable “post-touchscreen” interactions such as motion gestures or free-space interactions. Sven worked as a research assistant at Media Informatics and Human-Computer Interaction Group at the University of Munich, Germany, where he obtained his Ph.D. in Computer Science in 2012. Sven holds a Diplom degree in Computer Science from RWTH Aachen University, Germany.

Jim Vaughan
Senior Systems Developer
Jim is currently engaged in building virtual 3D worlds and integrating sensor data into them to explore Mixed Reality Environments. Previous activities at FXPAL include developing software to track objects in the Video Surveillance system and numerous systems involving the capture and distribution of images and other data: AnySpot, PBox, Corporate Memory, and Video Guestbook. Jim holds a Bachelor’s degree in Electronics and Computer Engineering and a Master’s degree in the area of Machine Vision, both from the University of Brighton, England.

Gwen Gordon
Mischief Maker
Gwen started her career building Muppets for Sesame Street. She has been an artist-in-residence in settings ranging from Xerox PARC to San Quentin Prison. Gwen has applied her insights about play to the design of programs, courses, and trainings for groups ranging from life coaches to TSA security officers and for popular films including What the Bleep Do We Know?!, The Story of Stuff,THRIVE, and SPLIT. Gwen sports a local Emmy Award and is currently producing NOW Playing, a PBS series about play.

Don Severns
a.k.a. RC Man Child
Don has been building R/C since he was about 12 and is now 28. He started his YouTube channel, dhdsracer, as a way to connect to the community and offer something at the same time. Professionally, he has done a range of things from retail to marketing and was last employed at one of the largest R/C companies overseas as a marketing manager. Visit RC Man Child, Build RC Drones, and ‘Like’ on Facebook.

Jacob Biehl
Senior Research Scientist
Jacob’s research centers on building collaborative technologies that support natural and effective human-to-human communication. In this effort, his research spans many topics that include observing and building models of group dynamics and collaboration, distilling those models into the design and implementation of fully functional collaborative systems, and deploying technology into authentic work environments to understand their genuine impact on collaborative behavior. He holds a B.S. in Statistics and Computer Science from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, where he also earned a M.S. and Ph.D. in Computer Science.

Weiqing Su
a.k.a. Sue
Without Sue’s efforts during her summer internship at FXPAL, Polly would not have been where it is at. She holds a B.S. in Electrical Engineering at the University of California, San Diego and is currently becoming a master at blackjack.

Patrick Proppe
research intern
Patrick continued Sue’s work and contributed some significant improvements to the actual Polly prototype. Since the kindergarten he has been in close contact with his computer and the DIY-movement. He currently holds a B.S. in Media Informatics at the University of Munich, Germany and will finish his M.S. after the internship at FXPAL.