Denisa McDonald

Post-doctoral fellow in Computer Vision. Experienced in creating machine learning models to extract meaningful information from video captures of naturalistic face-to-face conversations; designing deep learning and algorithmic computational models to analyze noisy time‑series signal data; building interactive, human‑centric, minimally‑designed systems for use in the real world; designing, running, and analyzing both quantitative and qualitative user studies; designing and implementing comprehensive data analysis frameworks. Interested in increasing my contribution to AI, especially in the areas of deep-learning, multi‑modal AI, and probabilistic and generative models.

Download CV

Research Interests & Experience

Machine Learning

Time-Series, Computer Vision

Algorithm Design

Graphs, Computational Algorithms

Interactive Systems

Fabric Sensors, BCIs

User-Centered Design

User Studies, Usability

Activity

Currently looking for a position as a Machine Learning Researcher

January 2023: Paper "Predicting Autism from Head Movement Patterns during Naturalistic Social Interactions"

Accepted to International Conference on Medical and Health Informatics (ICMHI)

November 2022: Virtual presentation of "Head Movement Patterns during Face-to-Face Conversations Vary with Age"

ICMI Workshop on Bridging Social Sciences and AI for Understanding Child Behavior (WoCBU)

September 2022: Paper "Head Movement Patterns during Face-to-Face Conversations Vary with Age"

Accepted to International Conference on Multimodal Interaction (ICMI) Workshop on Bridging Social Sciences and AI for Understanding Child Behavior (WoCBU)

May 2022: Presentation of "Interaction with Touch-Sensitive Knitted Fabrics: User Perceptions and Everyday Use Experiments"

ACM CHI Conference on Human Factors in Computing Systems (CHI 2022)

April 2022: Started a Post-Doctoral Fellowship in Computer Vision

Children's Hospital of Philadelphia - Center for Autism Research

December 2021: PhD Graduation

Dissertation: “On the Real–World Interactivity Potential of Minimalistic Knitted Sensors at the Intersection of Artificial Intelligence and User Experience”

Honors and Awards

Snap Creative Challenge Award (2021)

Issued by Snap Inc. for being part of one of the teams selected to design technology based on augmented reality that promotes and enhances in-person interactions rather than inhibits them. Our project explores the integration of knitted sensors and co-located augmented reality technology to enhance parent-child communication.

Best Paper Award (2020)

PCM/EICS in September 2020.Awarded to the the top 1% of submissions."Toward Accurate Sensing with Knitted Fabric: Applications and Technical Considerations"

Jay Modi Memorial Award (2019)

Issued by Drexel University Computer Science Department in May 2019. This award is given annually to one PhD student in Computer Science for excellence in research.

International Research Experiences for Students, an NSF-funded program (2017)

Received in December 2017. This award allows students to participate in a research exchange program with a Computer Science lab outside of the US. My external research experience was at the Human-Centered Ubiquitous Media Lab at LMU for 2 months during the summer of 2018.

AJ Drexel Scholarship (2010 - 2015)

A merit scholarship award from Drexel University, active from the Fall term of 2010 to the Spring term of 2015, renewable annually during my undergraduate studies.

Dean's List (2010 - 2015)

A merit scholarship, awarded by Drexel University, active from the Fall term of 2010 to the Spring term of 2015, renewable annually during my undergraduate studies.