Christian Lopez

• Machine Learning & Data Science
• Persuasive Technologies & Gamification
• Virtual & Augmented Reality
  
• Human Factors & Human-Computer Interaction

My research interests are in the design and optimization of intelligent decision support systems and persuasive technologies to augment human proficiencies. What this means is, I work on designing and creating systems to help make better decisions and help improve task performance by integrating state-of-the-art technologies, such as Machine Learning and Virtual Reality. In some cases, these systems need to be able to motivate individuals as well; hence, the use of persuasive technologies like gamification. The technologies and systems I am interested in have great potential for advancing the field of education, business, health, wellness, and others.

• Lopez, C. E., Cunningham, J., Ashour, O., and Tucker, C. S, “Deep Reinforcement Learning for Procedural Content Generation of 3D Virtual Environments,” in ASME Journal of Computing and Information Science in Engineering (2020) (doi: 1115/1.4046293)
• Zhao, V., Lopez, C. E., and Tucker, C. S, “Evaluating the impact of idea dissemination methods on information loss,” in ASME Journal of Computing and Information Science in Engineering (2019)19,3 (doi: 10.1115/1.4042553) (see PDF).
• Lopez, C. E., and Tucker, C. S., “The effects of player type on performance: A gamification case study,” Computers in Human Behavior (2019) 91, 333-345 (doi:10.1016/j.chb.2018.10.005)  (see PDF)
• Lopez, C. E., Zhao, V., Tucker, C., “Semantic Network Differences Across Engineering Design Communication Methods,” in ASME Int. Design Engineering Technical Conf. & Computer and Informatics Engineering. Conf., Anaheim, CA, August 18-21, 2019 
• Lopez, C. E., Ashour, O., Tucker, C., “Reinforcement Learning Content Generation for Virtual Reality Applications,” in ASME Int. Design Engineering Technical Conf. & Computer and Informatics Engineering. Conf., Anaheim, CA, August 18-21, 2019 *ASME CIE Virtual Environments & Systems Best Paper Award.
• Lopez, C. E., Ashour, O., and Tucker, C., “An introduction to the CLICK approach: Leveraging Virtual Reality to Integrate the Industrial Engineering Curriculum,” Proc. of ASEE Annual Conference & Exposition, Tampa, FL, June 16-19, 2019 (see PDF)
• Lopez, C. E., and Tucker, C., “Implementing gamification in engineering bridge programs: A case study exploring the use of the Kahoot! application,” Proc. of ASEE Zone 1 Conference, Niagara Falls, NY, April 11-13, 2019 (see PDF)(see presentation) (see post)