Tiffany D. Do

Tiffany D. Do

Assistant Professor of Computer Science

Drexel University

About

☕️ I am an Assistant Professor in Computer Science, specializing in Human-Centered AI, augmented reality (AR), virtual reality (VR), and virtual avatars. My research focuses on the potential of AI to personalize experiences for individuals, placing a premium on their unique identities and perspectives. I aim to create AI systems and virtual avatars that enable people to explore diverse identities and experiences.

Previously, I conducted research at Microsoft Research and Google, where I focused on user experience (UX) and interactions with language applications, particularly large language models (LLMs) and virtual agents. My work examines how identity intersects with and impacts user perceptions and interactions.

As the proud daughter of a Vietnamese refugee family, I go by both my American name, Tiffany, and my native name, Diễm. I am very active in diversity in computing organizations, which you can find more about in service. In my freetime, I enjoy drawing (check out my gallery!), playing tennis, and drinking copious amounts of green tea.

Interests
  • Human-Centered AI
  • VR/AR/XR
  • Virtual Agents
  • Accessibility
Education
  • Ph.D. in Computer Science, 2024

    University of Central Florida

  • M.S. in Computer Science, 2019

    University of Texas at Dallas

  • B.S. in Computer Science, 2018

    University of Texas at Dallas

Research Experience

 
 
 
 
 
Drexel University
Assistant Professor of Computer Science
Drexel University
September 2024 – Present Philadelphia, PA
College of Computing and Informations (CCI)
 
 
 
 
 
Labs@Google
Research Intern
Labs@Google
May 2024 – September 2024 Mountain View, CA
Ph.D. Research Intern
Applied Language Applications (LLMs)
Human-centered user evaluations and studies
 
 
 
 
 
University of Central Florida
Graduate Research Assistant
University of Central Florida
January 2021 – September 2024 Orlando, FL
Advised by Ryan P. McMahan
Virtual Reality and Virtual Agents
 
 
 
 
 
Microsoft Research
Research Intern
Microsoft Research
May 2023 – August 2023 Redmond, WA
Ph.D. Research Intern
Advised by Ed Cutrell, Martez Mott, and John Tang
Human-Centered AI Experiences (HCAIX) group
Applied Language Applications (LLMs) and Mesh Avatars

📝 Publications

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(2024). Cultural Reflections in Virtual Reality: The Effects of User Ethnicity in Avatar Matching Experiences on Sense of Embodiment. To Appear in IEEE Transactions on Visualizations and Computer Graphics (TVCG).

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(2024). The Influence of Mixed-Gender Avatar Facial Features on Racial Perception: Insights from the VALID Avatar Library. In 2024 IEEE Conference on Virtual Reality and 3D User Interfaces Abstracts and Workshops (VRW).

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(2024). Stepping into the Right Shoes: The Effects of User-Matched Avatar Ethnicity and Gender on Sense of Embodiment in Virtual Reality. IEEE Transactions on Visualization and Computer Graphics (TVCG).

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(2023). VALID: A perceptually validated Virtual Avatar Library for Inclusion and Diversity. Frontiers in Virtual Reality 4.

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(2023). Identifying Virtual Reality Users Across Domain-Specific Tasks: A Systematic Investigation of Tracked Features for Assembly. 2023 IEEE International Symposium on Mixed and Augmented Reality (ISMAR).

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Service

I am especially passionate about diversity in computing. Previously, I have served as a mentor for the ACM-Women (2020-2022) chapter at UCF. I cofounded and currently serve as the External Vice-President of Girls Who Code @ UCF. Due to my love for coding, I also lead the technical interview prep group at GWC@UCF to help prepare our brilliant club members for industry jobs. See below for some of my workshop materials:

Introduction to Git and GitHub
Introduction to Technical Interviews - Practice Problems

Additionally, I have served as an external reviewer for the following journals and conferences: Springer Virtual Reality (2021), ACM MM (2021, 2022), IEEE VR (2022, 2024), ACM CHI (2022, 2023, 2024), IEEE ISMAR (2022).

Teaching

📚 A list of courses I have taught for

Virtual Reality Engineering (CAP 5115)
Foundations of HCI (CAP 3104)
Operating Systems Concepts (CGS 3763)
Computer Science 1 in C (COP 3502C)
Instructed C programming lab classes for 2-3 sections a week (20-40 students per section). Responsible as TA for ~240 students a semester.
Nominated for the CECS Award for Excellence by a Graduate Teaching Assistant by Dr. Tanvir Ahmed.