My research interests include the development and application of computing technologies for the digitisation of objects and environments; the information management, analysis, search/browse visualisation of visual representations, including 2D and 3D content; as well as their physical reproduction using digital fabrication. A focus of the research is the Cultural Heritage (CH) sector and its related applications such as creative applications, art, culture, education and tourism. I have produced research outputs in interdisciplinary areas such as computer graphics, information and knowledge management as well as cultural heritage.

I am the Director for the Centre for Secure, Intelligent and Usable Systems, and serve in various bodies and international committees in these areas, including as Workshops Board Chair at the Eurographics Association, and Chair of the Eurographics Steering Committe for Graphics and Cultural Heritage. I am a member of the Editorial board and information Director for the ACM Journal of Computing and Cultural Heritage (JOCCH). I have been past programme chair of International Symposium on Virtual Reality, Archaeology and Intelligent Cultural Heritage (VAST) 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. I am also a member of the Centre for Secure, Intelligent and Usable Systems and full time Principal Lecturer at the School of Computing, Engineering and Mathematics.   

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 heritage collections, embedding semantics and knowledge to heritage 3D digital assets as well as the use of 3D documentation for producing 3D printable products to support the exhibition and conservation of heritage artefacts. Research topics for supervising includes:

i) 3D digitisation/imaging and 3D digital collections

ii) generating complex, diverse and linked data resources,

iii) semantic technologies, including shape analysis, shape recognition, search and browse, 

iv) community involvement with heritage by the use of mobile technologies and social media,

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

vi) Sustainability and business aspects for the digitisation of heritage assets, including blockchain technologies and NFT