My research interests include the development and application of computing technologies for the creation, management, discoverability, (re)use and access of digital representations of object collections and environments. 

A particular interest is also in the development of digital infrastructures to enable the wider applicability of this research across interdisciplinary groups. I lead research, funded by the UKRI-AHRC, in digital innovation for tangible and intangible cultural heritage, including crafts, as well as pilot services and training within national infrastructures for arts and humanities researchers and practitioners. The focus is on improving the ability to leverage computing and digital methods in their practice to enable innovation and impact.

The research impacts widely on the Creative and Cultural Heritage (CH) sector and its related applications such as media, art, culture, education and tourism. My research outputs are interdisciplinary in areas including computer graphics, information and knowledge management as well as cultural heritage.

I serve in various bodies and international committees in these areas, including as Editor-In-Chief for the ACM Journal of Computing and Cultural Heritage (JOCCH), Chair of the Workshops Board at the Eurographics Association, Chair of the Eurographics Steering Committee for Graphics and Cultural Heritage, and member of the Technical Specification Group for the IIIF-3D framework. I have been past programme chair of various scholarly events and review regularly for conferences, journals and national and international funding bodies.

I obtained my Computer Systems Engineering degree from the ITESM, Mexico in 1999; a PhD at the University of Wolverhampton in the area of knowledge-based engineering in 2005 and an MA in Histories and Cultures at the University of Brighton in 2008.

I joined the Cultural Informatics Reaearch Group at the University of Brighton in 2004 working with Prof. David Arnold until his retirement in 2016. During this time, I participated in several national and European projects researching in the areas of digital collections and 3D technologies for cultural heritage professionals and institutions. This includes the EC funded projects EPOCH Network of Excellence (2004-2008) and the 3D-COFORM Integrating Project (2008-2012).

I went on to lead the EPSRC-funded research called Semantic Analysis of 3D content for Digital Repositories which deals with the ongoing challenges created by the rise of big data and the increasing generation of visual digital content, including images and 3D content. The research also investigates the creative re-use of heritage-related visual content by using 3D technologies, including 3D printing.

Currently, I lead various initatives, collaborations and activities including the Digitisation lab.  

My teaching is strongly linked to my research interests in the areas of graphics technologies with an emphasis on creative sectors such as cultural heritage and interactive applications. I engage with students by exploring a variety of technologies including 3D graphical software, sensors, 3D printing and visualisation technologies. Students enjoy learning by being given the opportunity to explore areas of their interest in computer games and visual computing systems.

I am module leader for the CI606 Virtual Reality Systems. I am also a Level Tutor at level 4 and supervise projects at level 6. Additionally, I lead PhD supervision in the areas related to my research.

My research interest includes the documentation and visualisation of collections, embedding intelligence as well as the (re)use to support innovative approaches, for instance, to support the exhibition and conservation of heritage artefacts and creative applications. Research topics for supervising include:

i) data analytics for complex, diverse and linked data resources,

ii) 3D digitisation/imaging and 3D digital collections,

iii) discoverability technologies, including AI-based analysis, large scale visualisation novel modalities for search and browse, 

iv) community involvement with heritage,

v) design and engineering of objects by digital fabrication technologies.

vi) Sustainability and business aspects, including metaverse, blockchain technologies and NFT