Declassify
[ Hover to declassify ]
Tamil Selvan Gunasekaran
PhD Researcher & Creative Technologist
I build bridges between humans and intelligent systems. My work sits at the intersection of Extended Reality, Affective Computing, and Human-AI Collaboration.
Currently at the Empathic Computing Lab and Inclusive Reality Lab, I'm exploring how AI can augment human cognition in virtual meetings—making remote collaboration feel more natural, intuitive, and emotionally connected.
When I'm not in the lab, you'll find me bouldering, experimenting with generative art, or lost in a good philosophy book.
“Technology should amplify what makes us human, not replace it.”
My Journey
From a curious teenager winning innovation awards to a PhD researcher pushing the boundaries of human-AI interaction.
Doctoral Research Fellowship
University of Auckland
Full scholarship for PhD research in Human-Computer Interaction.
Graduate Teaching Assistant
University of Auckland
Teaching Computer Science courses including Mathematical Modelling.
Doctoral Research Fellowship
University of Auckland
PhD in Bioengineering (HCI Focus)
The University of Auckland
AI-Augmented Collaborative Cognition in Virtual Meetings. Expected completion 2026.
Researcher (Contract)
DETERM, New Zealand
Spatial computing and 3D point cloud semantic segmentation research.
Winner, XR Workshop
University of Canterbury
PhD Journey Begins
AI + Human Cognition
Embarked on PhD research exploring AI-augmented collaborative cognition in virtual meetings.
Research Collaborator
Embodied Media Lab, Keio University
Voluntary research collaboration on embodied interaction and XR experiences.
M.Eng in Bioengineering (HCI Focus)
The University of Auckland
First Class Honours. Thesis: Designing Body-Centric Interactions with Radar Sensing.
Research Assistant
Empathic Computing Lab & Inclusive Reality Lab
Leading research in Extended Reality (XR) and Human-AI teams across both labs. Building systems that enhance remote collaboration.
Researcher (Contract)
OVRCOME, New Zealand
Affective computing and VR for mental health rehabilitation.
Graduate Research Fellowship
Google ATAP
International Research Journey Begins
Move to New Zealand
Started Masters at University of Auckland, joining the Empathic Computing Lab under Prof. Mark Billinghurst.
Visiting Researcher
Augmented Human Lab
Research on augmentation technologies and human enhancement.
Best Paper Presentation Award
IRCE, NUS Singapore
Winner, Siemens Healthineers Workshop
Siemens
Teaching Assistant
VIT Chennai
Electromagnetic Wave Theory course assistance.
Winner, Start-up Hunt Competition
VIT Chennai
B.Tech in Electronics and Communication
Vellore Institute of Technology
GPA: 3.9/4.0. Vice Chairman, IEEE Robotics and Automation Society.
Dr. A.P.J. Abdul Kalam IGNITE Award
National Innovation Foundation, India
First National Recognition
IGNITE Award at age 14
Received the prestigious APJ Abdul Kalam IGNITE Award for a novel innovation, sparking a lifelong passion for technology.
AI Agent Developer
Autohive
Built AI agents to automate workflows and augment human productivity.
Visiting Lecturer
Keio University
Taught Perception Computing and Machine Learning concepts at the Graduate School of Media Design.
Embedded Software Intern
Petrofac Engineering
Industrial embedded systems development.
Skills & Expertise
A blend of research methodology, engineering prowess, and creative tools.
Programming
Frameworks & ML
Tools & Platforms
Cloud & Data
Design & Fabrication
Research Methods
Let's Connect
Interested in research collaboration, speaking opportunities, or just want to chat about the future of human-AI interaction? I'd love to hear from you.