Katia Canepa Vega

Assistant Professor, UC Davis
Ph.D. Computer Science, Pontifical Catholic University of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
M.A. Computer Science, Pontifical Catholic University of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
​B.A. Computer Science, National University of San Marcos, Peru
​Personal Website

About

Katia Vega is an Assistant Professor of the Department of Design at the University of California, Davis, where she founded and directs the Interactive Organisms Lab. Her research leads new explorations of organisms-device symbiosis. She was a Postdoc Associate at MIT Media Lab (USA). She got her PhD and Master degree in Computer Science at PUC-Rio (Brazil). She was a researcher in the Fine Arts Department at HKBU (Hong Kong). Her undergraduate studies were done in Computer Science at UNMSM (Peru). She publishes at top-tier computer science conferences and journals including CHI, TEI, DIS, IUI and IEEE Computer. Her work has been featured by BBC, New Scientist, Wired, Discovery, CNN,  and awarded by SXSW, Ars Electronica, Ubimedia Competition, among others. Springer  published her book: "BeautyTechnology: Designing Seamless Interfaces for Wearable Computing”.

Publications - 2020

braceIO:
​Biosensing through hydrogel dental ligatures

Vasquez, Eldy S. Lazaro, Ali K. Yetisen, and Katia Vega. "braceIO: Biosensing through hydrogel dental ligatures."  In Proceedings of the ACM International Symposium on Wearable Computers. ISWC 2020. Cancun, Mexico (virtual).

Eslucent:
An eyelid interface for detecting eye blinking

Luo, Elle, Ruixuan Fu, Alicia Chu, Katia Vega, and Hsin-Liu Kao. "Eslucent: an eyelid interface for detecting eye blinking." In Proceedings of the ACM International Symposium on Wearable Computers, pp. 58-62. 2020.

Introducing the Sustainable Prototyping Life Cycle for Digital Fabrication to Designers

Eldy S. Lazaro Vasquez , Hao-Chuan Wang, and Katia Vega. 2020. Introducing the Sustainable Prototyping Life Cycle for Digital Fabrication to Designers. To appear in Proceedings of the 2020 ACM Designing Interactive Systems Conference (DIS 2020)

Beauty Tech Nails: Towards interaction and functionality

Ada Suzany Franco de Araújo, Katia Vega, Thais Castro, Bruno Gadelha​. Beauty Tech Nails: towards interaction and functionality. XIX Brazilian Symposium on Human Factors in Computing Systems (IHC '20), October 26-30, 2020, Diamantina, Brazil.

Exploring AI Ethics Through Intelligent Everyday Objects

Tomas Laurenzo and Katia Vega. 26th International Symposium on Electronic Art (ISEA 2020). Montreal, Canada (virtual).

Towards Environmental Sustainability in Digital Fabrication Classes: DIY Prototyping with Biomaterials

Eldy S. Lazaro Vasquez and Katia Vega. Towards Environmental Sustainability in Digital Fabrication Classes: DIY Prototyping with Biomaterials- for the 2nd Annual ACM SIGCHI Symposium on HCI Education (EduCHI 2020). 

The Environmental Impact of Physical Prototyping: a Five-Year CHI Review

Eldy S. Lazaro Vasquez , Hao-Chuan Wang, and Katia Vega. The Environmental Impact of Physical Prototyping: a Five-Year CHI Review- for the CHI 2020 Workshop on self-powered sustainable interfaces and interactions (SelfSustainableCHI 2020).

2019

From plastic to biomaterials: prototyping DIY electronics with mycelium

Vasquez, Eldy S. Lazaro, and Katia Vega. "From plastic to biomaterials: prototyping DIY electronics with mycelium." In Adjunct Proceedings of the 2019 ACM International Joint Conference on Pervasive and Ubiquitous Computing and Proceedings of the 2019 ACM International Symposium on Wearable Computers, pp. 308-311. 2019.

Myco-accessories: sustainable wearables with biodegradable materials

Vasquez, Eldy S. Lazaro, and Katia Vega. "Myco-accessories: sustainable wearables with biodegradable materials." In Proceedings of the 23rd International Symposium on Wearable Computers, pp. 306-311. 2019.

Dermal Tattoo Biosensors for Colorimetric Metabolite Detection​

Yetisen, Ali K., Rosalia Moreddu, Sarah Seifi, Nan Jiang, Katia Vega, Xingchen Dong, Jie Dong et al. "Dermal Tattoo Biosensors for Colorimetric Metabolite Detection." Angewandte Chemie 131, no. 31 (2019): 10616-10623.

Redefining Audience Role in Live Performances

Vasconcelos, Victor, Mauro Amazonas, Thais Castro, Rosiane Rodrigues, Hugo Fuks, Katia Vega, and Bruno Gadelha. "Redefining Audience Role in Live Performances." In International Conference on Human-Computer Interaction, pp. 358-377. Springer, Cham, 2019.

Ethnicity in Artificial Intelligence

Laurenzo, Tom, and Katia Vega. "Ethnicity in Artificial Intelligence." (2019).

DOOR: Ethnicity in artificial intelligence

Laurenzo, Tomas, and Katia Vega. "DOOR: Ethnicity in artificial intelligence." In Proceedings of the Thirteenth International Conference on Tangible, Embedded, and Embodied Interaction, pp. 535-540. 2019.

Landscape-freestyle: restyling site plans for landscape architecture with machine learning

Zheng, Qiaoyu, and Katia Vega. "Landscape-freestyle: restyling site plans for landscape architecture with machine learning." In Proceedings of the 24th International Conference on Intelligent User Interfaces: Companion, pp. 101-102. 2019.

2018

Eunoia: Dynamically Control Thermochromic Displays for Animating Patterns on Fabrics

Song, Manlin, Chenyu Jia, and Katia Vega. "Eunoia: Dynamically Control Thermochromic Displays for Animating Patterns on Fabrics." In Proceedings of the 2018 ACM International Joint Conference and 2018 International Symposium on Pervasive and Ubiquitous Computing and Wearable Computers, pp. 255-258. 2018.

The Dermal Abyss: Color-Changing Tattoos for Medical Diagnostics

Vega, Katia, Nan Jiang, Xin Liu, Viirj Kan, Nick Barry, Pattie Maes, Ali K. Yetisan, and Joe Paradiso. "The Dermal Abyss: Color-Changing Tattoos for Medical Diagnostics." GetMobile: Mobile Computing and Communications 22, no. 2 (2018): 38-42.

Scentery: a calming multisensory environment by mixing virtual reality, sound, and scent

Luo, Elle, and Katia Vega. "Scentery: a calming multisensory environment by mixing virtual reality, sound, and scent." In Proceedings of the 20th International Conference on Human-Computer Interaction with Mobile Devices and Services Adjunct, pp. 158-165. 2018.

HeartMe: Thermochromic Display as An Expression of Heart Health

Song, Manlin, and Katia Vega. "HeartMe: Thermochromic Display as An Expression of Heart Health." In Proceedings of the 2018 ACM Conference Companion Publication on Designing Interactive Systems, pp. 311-314. 2018.

IntiWear: acrylic glass as a solar energy concentrator for wearables

Vega, Katia, Julian Noel, Sthy Flores, and Eunice Villicana. "IntiWear acrylic glass as a solar energy concentrator for wearables." Journal of Textile Engineering & Fashion Technology 4, no. 4 (2018).

2017

The dermal abyss: Interfacing with the skin by tattooing biosensors

Vega, Katia, Nan Jiang, Xin Liu, Viirj Kan, Nick Barry, Pattie Maes, Ali Yetisen, and Joe Paradiso. "The dermal abyss: Interfacing with the skin by tattooing biosensors." In Proceedings of the 2017 ACM International Symposium on Wearable Computers, pp. 138-145. 2017.

2016

Fluxa: Body movements as a social display

Liu, Xin, Katia Vega, Jing Qian, Joseph Paradiso, and Pattie Maes. "Fluxa: Body movements as a social display." In Proceedings of the 29th Annual Symposium on User Interface Software and Technology, pp. 155-157. 2016.

Chromoskin: Towards interactive cosmetics using thermochromic pigments

Kao, Hsin-Liu, Manisha Mohan, Chris Schmandt, Joseph A. Paradiso, and Katia Vega. "Chromoskin: Towards interactive cosmetics using thermochromic pigments." In Proceedings of the 2016 CHI Conference Extended Abstracts on Human Factors in Computing Systems, pp. 3703-3706. 2016.

Wearability factors for skin interfaces

Liu, Xin, Katia Vega, Pattie Maes, and Joe A. Paradiso. "Wearability factors for skin interfaces." In Proceedings of the 7th Augmented Human International Conference 2016, pp. 1-8. 2016.

Beauty Technology: Designing Seamless Interfaces for Wearable Computing

Vega, K. C., & Fuks, H. (2016). Beauty Technology: Designing Seamless Interfaces for Wearable Computing, 2016

2015

​Hairware: designing conductive hair extensions for seamless interfaces

Vega, Katia, Ricardo Aucelio, and Hugo Fuks. "Hairware: designing conductive hair extensions for seamless interfaces." In International Conference of Design, User Experience, and Usability, pp. 696-704. Springer, Cham, 2015.

Hairware: conductive hair extensions as a capacitive touch input device

Vega, Katia, Marcio Cunha, and Hugo Fuks. "Hairware: conductive hair extensions as a capacitive touch input device." In Proceedings of the 20th International Conference on Intelligent User Interfaces Companion, pp. 89-92. 2015.

Hairware: the conscious use of unconscious auto-contact behaviors

Vega, Katia, Marcio Cunha, and Hugo Fuks. "Hairware: the conscious use of unconscious auto-contact behaviors." In Proceedings of the 20th International Conference on Intelligent User Interfaces, pp. 78-86. 2015.

2014

FX e-makeup for muscle based interaction

Vega, Katia, Abel Arrieta, Felipe Esteves, and Hugo Fuks. "FX e-makeup for muscle based interaction." In International Conference of Design, User Experience, and Usability, pp. 643-652. Springer, Cham, 2014.

Beauty technology: body surface computing

Vega, Katia, and Hugo Fuks. "Beauty technology: body surface computing." Computer 47, no. 4 (2014): 71-75.

Beauty tech nails: interactive technology at your fingertips

Vega, Katia, and Hugo Fuks. "Beauty tech nails: interactive technology at your fingertips." In Proceedings of the 8th International Conference on Tangible, Embedded and Embodied Interaction, pp. 61-64. 2014.

As an Interactive Computing Platform

Vega, Katia Fabiola Canepa. "as an Interactive Computing Platform." PhD diss., Programa de Pós-Graduação em Informática of the Departamento de Informática, PUC-Rio, 2014.

2013

Uma Abordagem Sistemática de Prototipação Colaborativa para a Criação de Tangíveis

Cardador, Débora, Denise Filippo, Wallace Ugulino, Alberto Raposo, Katia Vega, and Hugo Fuks. "Uma Abordagem Sistemática de Prototipação Colaborativa para a Criação de Tangíveis." In Symposium on Collaborative Systems. October, vol. 8, p. 11. 2013.

Beauty technology: muscle based computing interaction

Vega, Katia, and Hugo Fuks. "Beauty technology: muscle based computing interaction." In Proceedings of the 2013 ACM international conference on Interactive tabletops and surfaces, pp. 469-474. 2013.

Beauty technology as an interactive computing platform

Vega, Katia, and Hugo Fuks. "Beauty technology as an interactive computing platform." In Proceedings of the 2013 ACM international conference on Interactive tabletops and surfaces, pp. 357-360. 2013.

Future fashion–at the interface

Flanagan, Patricia J., and Katia Fabiola Canepa Vega. "Future fashion–at the interface." In International Conference of Design, User Experience, and Usability, pp. 48-57. Springer, Berlin, Heidelberg, 2013.

Empowering electronic divas through beauty technology

Vega, Katia Fabiola Canepa, and Hugo Fuks. "Empowering electronic divas through beauty technology." In International Conference of Design, User Experience, and Usability, pp. 237-245. Springer, Berlin, Heidelberg, 2013.

Blinklifier: a case study for prototyping wearable computers in technology and visual arts

Vega, Katia Fabiola Canepa, Patricia J. Flanagan, and Hugo Fuks. "Blinklifier: a case study for prototyping wearable computers in technology and visual arts." In International Conference of Design, User Experience, and Usability, pp. 439-445. Springer, Berlin, Heidelberg, 2013.

Exploring the power of feedback loops in wearables computers

Vega, Katia. "Exploring the power of feedback loops in wearables computers." In Proceedings of the 7th International Conference on Tangible, Embedded and Embodied Interaction, pp. 371-372. 2013.

2012

Wearable computing: Accelerometers’ data classification of body postures and movements

Ugulino, Wallace, Débora Cardador, Katia Vega, Eduardo Velloso, Ruy Milidiú, and Hugo Fuks. "Wearable computing: Accelerometers’ data classification of body postures and movements." In Brazilian Symposium on Artificial Intelligence, pp. 52-61. Springer, Berlin, Heidelberg, 2012.

Collaborative museums: an approach to co-design

Fuks, Hugo, Heloisa Moura, Debora Cardador, Katia Vega, Wallace Ugulino, and Marcos Barbato. "Collaborative museums: an approach to co-design." In Proceedings of the ACM 2012 conference on Computer Supported Cooperative Work, pp. 681-684. 2012.

Blinklifier: The power of feedback loops for amplifying expressions through bodily worn objects

Flanagan, Patricia J., Katia Vega, and Hugo Fuks. "Blinklifier: The power of feedback loops for amplifying expressions through bodily worn objects." In Proceedings of APCHI, pp. 641-642. 2012.

2011

xGroupware: Supporting Collaborative Cross-Reality Environments using Multi-Agents System

Vega, Katia Fabiola Cánepa, Débora Cardador, Hugo Fuks, and Carlos Lucena. "xGroupware: Supporting Collaborative Cross-Reality Environments using Multi-Agents System." SBC Journal on Interactive Systems 2, no. 3 (2011): 2-9.

The Web of Things as an Infrastructure for Improving Users’ Health and Wellbeing

Velloso, Eduardo, Débora Cardador, Katia Vega, Wallace Ugulino, Andreas Bulling, Hans Gellersen, and Hugo Fuks. "The Web of Things as an Infrastructure for Improving Users’ Health and Wellbeing." In II Workshop of the Brazilian Institute for Web Science Research, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. 2011.

xGroupware: Collaboration in Cross-Reality Using Agents

Vega, Katia, Débora Cardador, Hugo Fuks, and Carlos Lucena. "xGroupware: Collaboration in Cross-Reality Using Agents." In 2011 XIII Symposium on Virtual Reality, pp. 252-258. IEEE, 2011.

Co-designing Collaborative Museums using Ethnography and Co-creation Workshops

Moura, Heloisa, Wallace Ugulino, Débora Cardador, Marcos Barbato, Katia Vega, and Hugo Fuks. "Co-designing Collaborative Museums using Ethnography and Co-creation Workshops." Proceedings of VIII Simpósio Brasileiro de Sistemas Colaborativos (SBSC 2011) (2011): 152-159.

2010

TREG Usability Tests: Evaluating a Training Game in Second Life

Vega, K., A. Pereira Soares, G. Robichez, and H. Fuks. "TREG Usability Tests: Evaluating a Training Game in Second Life." In 2010 Brazilian Symposium on Collaborative Systems-Simposio Brasileiro de Sistemas Colaborativos, pp. 63-70. IEEE, 2010.

Testes de Usabilidade em TREG: avaliando um jogo de treinamento no Second Life

Vega, K., A. Pereira, G. Robichez, and H. Fuks. "Testes de Usabilidade em TREG: avaliando um jogo de treinamento no Second Life." Social Computing in the Global Workplace: Connecting People and Connecting Work (2010).

2009

Prototyping games for training and education in Second Life: Time2Play and TREG

Vega, Katia Canepa, Andreia Pereira, Gustavo Robichez de Carvalho, Alberto Raposo, and Hugo Fuks. "Prototyping games for training and education in Second Life: Time2Play and TREG." In 2009 VIII Brazilian Symposium on Games and Digital Entertainment, pp. 1-8. IEEE, 2009.

Immersive Collaborative Storytelling: Time2Play in Second Life

Pereira, Andréia, Katia Vega, Alberto Raposo, Hugo Fuks, Viviane David, and Denise Filippo. "Immersive Collaborative Storytelling: Time2Play in Second Life." In 2009 Simposio Brasileiro de Sistemas Colaborativos, pp. 99-105. IEEE, 2009.

Enacting collaboration via storytelling in second life

Pereira, Andréia, Katia Cánepa, Viviane David, Denise Filippo, Alberto Raposo, and Hugo Fuks. "Enacting collaboration via storytelling in second life." In International Conference on Collaboration and Technology, pp. 319-327. Springer, Berlin, Heidelberg, 2009.

Storytelling imersivo colaborativo: Time2Play no Second Life

Pereira, Andréia, Kátia Veiga, Alberto Raposo, Hugo Fuks, Viviane David, and Denise Filippo. "Storytelling imersivo colaborativo: Time2Play no Second Life." Simpósio Brasileiro de Sistemas Colaborativos, VI (2009): 99-105.

Training in Requirements by Collaboration: Branching Stories in Second Life

Canepa, K., H. Fuks, and G. Carvalho. "Training in Requirements by Collaboration: Branching Stories in Second Life." Simpósio Brasileiro de Sistemas Colaborativos (SBSC), Fortaleza-CE 10 (2009).