Michael A. Oren
Born: 2 March 1984
Mike Oren graduated Cum Laude from DePauw University (Greencastle, IN)
in May 2006, after completing his baccalaureate education a semester
early in December 2005 with a double major in computer science and
English (creative) writing. My senior project for computer science was
an platform game (similar to Super Mario Bros. or Sonic the Hedgehog)
played via audio cues to make it accessible to the visually impaired. I
continued this research at Iowa State University (Ames, IA) where I
studied Human Computer Interaction and received my Masters in May 2008
with a 4.0 GPA. My thesis was entitled "Design and evaluation of
auditory spatial cues for decision making within a game environment for
persons with visual impairments". The work was presented at CHI '07,
ICAD '07, ASSETS '08, and a published paper in the Journal of
Visual Impairments and Blindness (JVIB).
Currently, I am working on my PhD at Iowa State in Human Computer Interaction with a co-major in Sociology. I am interested in exploring co-located collaboration using multi-touch and virtual reality technologies--exploring how to design interfaces that enhance collaboration with co-located users and reduce competition for both physical resources (space) and virtual resources (GUI elements, views, etc). I am also the current president of Iowa State's Human Computer Interaction studet group.
As a career, I hope to work in the field of user experience/usability for software and web applications. I am particularly interested in improving accessibility and collaboration of applications/web sites for those with disabilities as well as working toward the goal of universal accessibility. I also have an interest in alternative interface methods such as auditory, haptic, multi-touch, and pen-based systems.
I also enjoy dabbling with creative writing and as an undergraduate I specialized in dramatic works (stage and screenplays). My senior writing project was a seventy page experimental screenplay. My writing leans toward the science fiction/fantasy realm and my last few pieces have taken a less formulaic route, with my senior project having a very non-linear format that may be difficult follow. I've had some ideas for new pieces but so far haven't had the time to put them down on paper. Lately, my creative energies have gone into fiddling around with electronic music synthesis and creating software synthesizer instruments.
On a more personal note, I've been in a relationship with my girlfriend, Danielle, since 11 July 2003. We met while she was an incoming first year student at DePauw, and I was President of the Resident Student Association trying to recruit incoming students to run for positions on their residence hall councils. When I'm unable to spend time with Danielle, my main hobby is normally playing video games, a hobby I've had since the age of five.