Dr.Diwakar Krishnamurthy PhD, PEng
Research Chair in Technologies to foster Better Inclusion of Neurodivergent Individuals
Dr. Diwakar Krishnamurthy is the founding director of the ETHEREAL (Enhancing Autistic Voices through Extended Reality) project. Dr. Krishnamurthy has received several recognitions for his neurodivergence-themed research. He was a recipient of the Parex Resources Innovation Fellowship (2023-25) to support social innovation and knowledge mobilization activities in this space
Dr.Krishnamurthy is a full professor in the department of electrical and software engineering at the Schulich School of Engineering (SSE), University of Calgary (U of C), Canada. He has also been awarded a transdisciplinary Schulich Research Chair in Technologies to Foster Better Inclusion of Neurodivergent Individuals for the period 2024-2029.
Dr. Krishnamurthy has over 25 years of experience conducting innovative research with real world impact in diverse areas such as software performance engineering, cloud computing, big data, machine learning, human-computer interaction, Extended Reality (XR), and assistive technology. He is also a member of Alberta Children’s Hospital Research Institute and Hotchkiss Brain Institute.
Postdoctoral Fellow
Lorans Alabood
Dr. Lorans Alabood is a Postdoctoral Associate of the ETHEREAL Research Group and Research Fellow at the Alberta Children’s Hospital Research Institute and the Schulich School of Engineering, University of Calgary. He contributes to advancing cutting-edge research in assistive technologies and Extended Reality (XR) applications for nonspeaking autistic individuals. His work focuses on creating inclusive and affordable solutions, such as the HoloBoard Cross-Reality application, to bridge communication gaps and enhance accessibility.
Passionate about bridging the gap between technology and human needs, Lorans is inspired by the transformative potential of XR to empower individuals and communities. His contributions to ETHEREAL emphasize collaboration and innovation, integrating user feedback to ensure real-world impact. His work is deeply influenced by his multicultural background and values of inclusion and compassion, fostering innovative approaches to designing assistive technologies.
Research Engineers
Ahmedreza Nazari
Ahmadreza Nazari is a Research Engineer at the Ethereal Research Gorup, where he leads innovative projects in assistive extended reality (XR) for nonspeaking autistic individuals. Previously, Ahmadreza was a graduate research assistant at Ethereal. He has been the lead researcher on multiple projects including the first usability study on augmented reality (AR) for nonspeaking autistic people, a project on personalizing AR interactions through imitation learning, and evaluating eye interaction within AR for this community
At the Ethereal Research Group, Ahmadreza has led and contributed to numerous projects focused on improving accessibility in assistive extended reality (XR) technologies for nonspeaking autistic individuals. His primary responsibilities have included design, development, and evaluation of XR interfaces that support communication and provide personalized interaction
Ali Shahidi
Ali Shahidi is a software developer with over four years of experience in game development, augmented reality (AR), and virtual reality (VR). He leads the development of HoloType, an AR educational platform designed for non-speaking autistic individuals, blending advanced technology with user-centered design.
Ali’s key contributions include the design of HoloType, which incorporates the “Teach-Ask” approach, dynamic lesson customization, and multiplayer options. As a research assistant, he is also developing an AR system to bridge communication gaps between experienced caregivers and new respite workers for nonspeaking autistic individuals. This system enables parents to input notes and videos of their child’s nonverbal communication, providing real-time guidance through AR glasses. The AI analyzes speech and tone to deliver immediate support for appropriate responses.
Master’s Students
Diana Alvarez
Diana Alvarez is currently pursuing a Master’s in Precision Health at the University of Calgary, dedicated to developing personalized solutions that enhance health and quality of life. With her background in education, Diana has experienced firsthand the challenges autistic children face in the classroom, this has motivated her to develop innovative solutions that support neurodiverse individuals.
As part of her research focus within the ETHEREAL Lab, Diana is working to develop technology-driven sensory interventions for autistic individuals, utilizing tools like Augmented Reality (AR) and Virtual Reality (VR). The goal of her work is to help individuals manage sensory overload through real-time, AI-driven responses that are personalized to each person’s unique needs. Through these efforts, Diana aims to contribute to a future where healthcare solutions are as adaptive and individualized as the people they serve.
Desiree Leal
Desiree is a software engineer currently pursuing her Master’s degree in Software Engineering at the University of Calgary. For the past five years, she tutored an autistic teenage boy and volunteered with Taking Strides Calgary, a non-profit club running recreational programs to enhance physical literacy for children with disabilities. This experience demonstrated the potential for assistive technology, especially to support communication for nonspeaking individuals. Coupled with her background in software engineering, she is passionate about the work with the Ethereal Research Group and has relevant knowledge to contribute.
Desiree recently started working with the Ethereal Research Group and intends to research how AR can assist nonspeaking autistic individuals in initiating conversations. This work will incorporate other elements from the lab’s research, focusing on building social skills and confidence. Her research will develop an AR system that supports conversation initiation with virtual avatars by providing contextually relevant conversational prompts.
Travis Dow
Travis Dow’s research explores innovative applications of Augmented Reality (AR) to enhance communication training for nonspeaking autistic individuals, focusing on the role of virtual and remote CRPs in fostering engagement and skill development. His recent work includes two key studies that address the challenges of access to Communication and Regulation Partners (CRPs) and provide promising solutions through AR technologies.
Travis is interested in the integration of the CRP behavior model with embodied avatars to create an autonomous AI agent capable of supporting nonspeaking autistic individuals in communication and motor skills practice. By combining the data-driven interaction model with a fully embodied avatar, this AI agent could offer tailored, real-time responses and guidance, mirroring the support typically provided by a human CRP. Such an agent would enable users to engage in structured practice sessions at their own pace, providing a flexible, accessible solution that promotes self-directed learning
Pratishtha Pratishtha
Pratishtha is a software engineer and MSc thesis researcher at the University of Calgary, specializing in software engineering with a focus on AR/VR applications. Her current research explores using immersive technology to bridge communication gaps for nonspeaking autistic individuals. Her research interests are rooted in advancing inclusive technology for improved communication and accessibility. With expertise in data science, scalable analytics, Unity, and app development, she combines technical skills with a passion for impactful innovation. Inspired by ideas that tangibly improve lives, she thrives on developing technology that offers practical solutions.
Pratishtha’s background in fostering inclusive learning environments, both as a mentor and as a DEI advocate, has shaped her research approach. Her work focuses on bridging communication barriers for neurodiverse individuals, inspired by her belief in using technology to make life simpler and more accessible for people
Undergraduate Students
Souad Farag
Souad Farag’s work at the ETHEREAL Lab reflects her passion for combining rigorous research with impactful community outreach. She has played a pivotal role in user testing, video coding, thematic analysis, and manuscript preparation, advancing tools like the HoloBoard to support communication autonomy for nonspeaking autistic individuals. Her efforts extend to fostering inclusive community engagement initiatives, ensuring that the lab’s research resonates with diverse stakeholders. Souad has also collaborated closely with interdisciplinary teams, leveraging shared expertise to drive actionable solutions.
At the ETHEREAL Lab, she bridges academia and community engagement, drawing on her diverse background to develop projects that empower neurodiverse populations. Her outreach initiatives will include hosting workshops and public-facing events aimed at fostering understanding and inclusivity, furthering the lab’s mission of advancing autonomy in communication.
