Steven Poulakos

Research Area: Animation

I am a Research Scientist at DisneyResearch|Studios. I received a B.S. degree in Engineering Physics and M.S. in Library and Information Science, both from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. I received a Ph.D. in Computer Science from ETH Zurich for my contributions modelling visual perception of stereoscopic images and video. I have participated in the EU-funded project REVERIE (REal and Virtual Engagement in Realistic Immersive Environments), utilizing stereoscopic technologies to enable realistic human interaction in shared virtual spaces. My research focus has evolved into the space of computational narrative, which includes computer-assisted generation of interactive narrative and experience management. I also contributed to the EU-funded project FLAME (Facility for Large-scale Adaptive Media Experimentation), developing technologies to utilize smart city infrastructure to deliver interactive narratives across physical locations. My research interests include the development of intelligent systems at the intersection of story, autonomous characters, and user experience.