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Kunal Gupta, PhD

Research Fellow @ Empathic Computing Lab || Human-AI Interaction Specialist

I'm Kunal Gupta, a research fellow at the Empathic Computing Lab at the University of Auckland. My work bridges the gap between Human-AI Interaction and emotion recognition technology, focusing on mental well-being and cognitive rehabilitation. In my PhD research, I used physiological computing—such as brainwaves, skin conductance, and heart rate variability—to create adaptive virtual environments that respond to users' emotional and cognitive states in real time.

Currently, I'm leading projects on empathic digital agents for mental health and empathic characters for cognitive rehabilitation in VR, where AI-driven interventions are designed to support recovery and enhance emotional well-being. By combining insights from AI-driven mental health interventions and immersive virtual environments, my research advances the development of personalized, context-aware virtual agents and characters.

With over 5 years of industry experience, including roles at Google and Ducere Technologies, I bring a unique blend of academic research and practical expertise. My goal is to create AI-enhanced systems that solve real-world problems and promote emotional resilience and cognitive growth.

Alongside my research, I co-supervise PhD students and advise undergraduate researchers. My teaching and mentorship experience reflects my commitment to nurturing future leaders in this growing field.

Research

All Cognitive Load Emotions Physiology Trust Virtual Reality

Experience

Work Experience

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Research Fellow
The University of Auckland
May 2024 – Present - Auckland, New Zealand

Leading projects on empathic digital agents for mental health and empathic characters for cognitive rehabilitation in VR, where AI-driven interventions are designed to support recovery and enhance emotional well-being.

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Graduate Researcher
The University of Auckland
Feb 2019 – Apr 2024 – 4 yrs 2 months Auckland, New Zealand

A Ph.D. candidate at the Empathic Computing Laboratory at the University of Auckland. My research work revolves around emotion recognition and environmental adaptation in VR using physiological sensing and contextual information

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UX Researcher
Google - Contract
Apr 2018 – Nov 2018 – 8 months Gurgaon, India

As a Researcher working in the Search Social Impact team within Google Search product, I supported User Experience Research efforts across various social impact areas in India such as Education, Civic, and Health.

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Interaction Designer
Ducere Technologies Pvt. Ltd.
Nov 2015 – Apr 2018 – 2 yrs 6 months Hyderabad, India

Engaged closely with the stakeholders, conducted user research, performed requirement analysis, designed hardware and software interactions, developed lo-hi fidelity prototypes by following user-centered design process.

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Graduate Researcher
Human Interface Technology Lab NZ
Jul 2014 – Jul 2015 – 1 yr 1 month Christchurch, New Zealand

Conducted ethnographic research, designed, prototyped, and evaluated emotion sharing application. After contextual inquiry, designed and developed AR-based prototypes for Earthmoving vehicle controller, warehouse navigation.

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Design Engineer
Diabeto (Acquired by Livongo)
Jan 2012 – Jun 2012 – 6 months Mumbai, India

Designed hardware interaction, developed prototypes, interfacing of Diabeto with existing Glucometers. Contributed to the development of the product and interfacing with the android application.

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Design Engineer
Ducere Technologies Pvt. Ltd.
Jun 2012 – Jun 2013 – 1 yr 1 month Hyderabad, India

Designed LeChal, a haptic shoe for the visually impaired, to bring user-driven innovation to the shoes. Lead a team responsible to explore more interactive applications of the existing product.

Teaching Experience

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TA, DES 243: Designing Assistive Technologies
The University of Auckland
Jul 2021 – Nov 2021 – 1 semester Auckland, New Zealand

Services, Demo and Reviewing

Student Volunteer
SIGGRAPH ASIA 2019, Brisbane
MeasureCamp 2019, Auckland
Semi-Permanent 2019, Auckland
TEDx Christchurch 2014, Christchurch
Demo
SIGGRAPH ASIA 2021, Tokyo (To present in December)
SIGGRAPH ASIA 2019, Brisbane
Auckland Bioengineering Institute Fundraiser, Auckland
International Biomechanics Day, Auckland
Peer Review
CHI 2020, 2021, 2022
IEEE VR 2021, 2022
VRST 2019, 2020, 2021
ISMAR 2021
IEEE Transactions on Visualization and Computer Graphics (TVCG) 2021
Journal on Multimodal User Interfaces 2020
ACM Transactions on Computer-Human Interaction 2021
Location
Get in Touch

You Made It So Far

Thanks for dropping by!

Since you have made it this far, why don’t you send me a message on

LinkedIn or reach me out at hello [at] kunalgupta [dot] in.

I would love to hear more about you and your work!