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Maryam Bigonah is a Ph.D. student at Computer Science Department of Auburn University, specializing in cutting-edge research on Augmented Reality (AR) and Virtual Reality (VR) technologies. Her commitment to bridging theory and practice has led to notable achievements,
including receiving one of the awards at the Graduate Engineering Research Showcase 2023 and being nominated for excellence within her department. Currently involved in an NIFA project aimed at revolutionizing agricultural education, Maryam's expertise in artificial intelligence and machine learning is driving innovative solutions for sustainable farming practices. Her contributions to publications and conferences, such as IGI Global Publisher, SIGCSE 2024(ACM Conference), ASEE Conference 2024, the Grace Annual Symposium 2024, 2024 NSF Workshop on Sustainable Computing and 2024 CRA-WP Grad Cohort for Women, showcase her passion for advancing educational pedagogy through emerging technologies, solidifying her reputation as a leading researcher in the field.

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Fatemeh Jamshidi is a Doctoral Candidate in computer science and software engineering at Auburn University. Her research is on machine learning and artificial intelligence in computer science education and music education.

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Aparana Pant is a graduate student at the Computer Science and Software Engineering Department at Auburn University, where her passion for transformative technology takes shape through the development of immersive AR/VR learning experiences. She is currently engaged with a NIFA-funded project focused on developing an inclusive agricultural educational platform that leverages augmented and virtual reality to innovate and enrich the way agricultural sciences are taught and learned. With her skill set and dedication, she is poised to make significant contributions to both tech research and the broader industry landscape.

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Dr. Daniela Marghitu received her B.S. in Automation and Computing from Polytechnic University of Bucharest, and her Ph.D. degree in Automation and Computing from University of Craiova.

She is a faculty member in the Computer Science and Software Engineering Department at Auburn University, where she has worked since 1996.

Her teaching experience includes a variety of Information Technology and Computing courses (e.g., Object-Oriented Programming for Engineers and Scientists, Introduction to Computing for Engineers and Scientists, Network Programming with HTML and Java, Web Development and Design Foundations with HTML 5.0, CSS3.0 and JavaScript, Personal Computer Applications, Spreadsheet-Based Applications with Visual BASIC, Web Application Development).

Her research areas include STEM K12 Inclusive Computing Research and Outreach; Web Applications Design and Development; Education and Assistive Technology; Software Engineering; Web and Software Engineering Usability and Accessibility.

Dr. Marghitu has received funding for research and education projects from National Science Foundation (e.g.Co-PI of NSF RET Site: Project-Based Learning for Rural Alabama STEM Middle School Teachers in Machine Learning and Robotics; Co-PI of NSF INCLUDES Alliance: The Alliance of Students with Disabilities for Inclusion, Networking, and Transition Opportunities in STEM (TAPDINTO-STEM); Co-PI of NSF EEC "RFE Design and Development: Framing Engineering as Community Activism for Values-Driven Engineering"; Co-PI of NSF CISE "EAGER: An Accessible Coding Curriculum for Engaging Underserved Students with Special Needs in Afterschool Programs"; co-PI of NSF INCLUDES: South East Alliance for Persons with Disabilities in STEM, Co-PI of NSF CE 21 Collaborative Research: Planning Grant: Computer Science for All (CS4ALL)).

Dr. Marghitu was also PI of grants from Center for Woman in Information Technology, Daniel F. Breeden Endowment for Faculty Enhancement, AccessComputing Alliance, Computer Science Collaboration Project, Microsoft Fuse Research, Altova Co., and Pearson Education Publishing Co.

Dr. Marghitu has mentored over one thousand high school, computing undergraduate, graduate students including representatives of underserved/underrepresented communities, women, and people with disabilities.

Dr. Marghitu has participated in numerous administrative activities at Auburn University. Among these activities are the following: Auburn University Board of Trustee Faculty Representative; Auburn University representative for National Center for Women in Information Technology, AccessComputing, Access10K, and AccessEngineering Alliances; Auburn University Persons with Disabilities Committee chair; Founder and Director Auburn University Laboratory for Education and Assistive Technology; faculty representative Auburn University Core Curriculum Oversight committee and Multicultural Diversity Commission.

Dr. Marghitu also served as World Usability Day Web Site Committee Chair; Alabama STEM Education board chair, Panel member for the National Science Foundation; member of the congressionally mandated Committee on Equal Opportunities in Science and Engineering; member of the Committee on the Future of NSF EPSCoR; and member of the Computer Science for All (CSforAll) Accessibility Board.

Dr. Marghitu published seven Information Technology books at Pearson Publishing Co., articles at International Journal On Advances in Software, International Journal On Advances in Internet Technology, Journal of Women and Minorities in Science and Engineering, National Science Teaching Association Journals, Journal of Computer Science Education,International Journal on Advances in Internet Technology Transactions of the SDPS: Journal of Integrated Design and Process Science, User Experience Magazine, Journal of Computing Sciences in Colleges, International Journal for Virtual Reality, Journal of SMET Education and Research.

Dr. Marghitu has published peer reviewed papers and gave presentations at numerous international conferences(e.g. ACM Special Interest Group on Computer Science Education Technical Symposium, International Technology and Persons with Disabilities Conference, International Conference on Software Engineering Advances, EDUCAUSE, Association for Advancement of Computing in Education, International Society for Technology in Education, Society for Design and Process Science, American Society for Engineering Education, Human Computer Interaction International Conference, and International Academy, Research, and Industry Association) in USA, Canada, England, France, Germany, Spain, Italy, Portugal and Romania. Her work was also presented by co-authors at conferences in Brazil, Taiwan and S. Korea.

Among Dr. Marghitu's honors and awards are the following: 2011 AccessComputing Capacity Building Award, the 2012 Auburn University Access award, the 2012 Society for Design and Process Science Outstanding Achievement Award, the 2013 Microsoft Fuse Research award, the 2015 DO-IT Trailblazer award, the 2017 International Academy, Research, and Industry Association Fellowship, the 2017 Society for Design and Process Science Fellowship, and the 2019 Samuel Ginn College of Engineering 100+ Women Strong Leadership in Diversity Faculty Award.

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