ATLAS Colloquium
Tuesdays, 11:30 am - 12:30 pm
Each week during the fall and spring semesters, the ATLAS Colloquium features dynamic speakers from academia and industry who work in fields of interest to the creative technology and design community. Whether artists, creatives, entrepreneurs or free spirits, these speakers share their interdisciplinary experience and knowledge in an intimate, small-group setting. Talks may be attended in person in the ATLAS hackery (ATLS 208) or, in most cases, online.
The ATLAS Colloquium is organized and curated by Ellen Do, professor of computer science with the ATLAS Institute and director of the ACME Lab. Talks are free and open to the public. Students have the option of taking the one-creditATLAS Seminar ATLS-7000-001.
In most cases, colloquia are recorded.
Spring 2025 Colloquia
You can also view the for further information.
Guiding Principles for Creating Engaging Science Exhibits and Programs
Speaker: Eddie Goldstein
Tuesday, April 29, 11:30am - 12:30pm MT
Abstract:When I was in college I took a class which turned me on to the work of Marshall McLuhan — the “medium is the message” guy. His principles really struck a chord with me and have influenced my work over my entire career. Those principles and others have given me tools to look at my own projects in ways and from perspectives that I otherwise would never have done. The result has been a body of work that has been very effective in communicating science in ways that are extremely engaging to audiences. It has allowed me to understand how visitors will make sense of the exhibits and programs I create so I can be intentional in how I create them. And has guided me in how to design interactivity that is intrinsically more meaningful than simply pushing buttons. In this interactive seminar, I’ll be talking about and demonstrating some of the principles which have influenced my career. I’ll also talk about the thought process that has gone into creating The Gravity Demo, the newest project that I’m working on, which makes Einstein’s Theory of Relativity accessible to the general public.
Bio:Eddie Goldstein has a degree in math and physics from Columbia University. He is widely recognized as one of the most talented science communicators in the world, combining a background as a museum science educator at the Smithsonian Institution and the Denver Museum of Nature & Science with a second career as a professional magician and dinner theater performer. At DMNS he launched its highly acclaimed science performing program and was Senior Space Science Educator for Space Odyssey, which was the 2005 winner of the ASTC Leading Edge Award for Innovation in Science Museum Exhibits and Programs. As a magician he got his start as a San Francisco and Boulder Pearl St Mall street performer and currently performs in venues such as the Chicago Magic Lounge and The Magic Castle in Hollywood.
Exhibit-y: What IRL and Online Exhibitions Might Have in Common
Speaker: Cait McQuade
Tuesday, April 15, 11:30am - 12:30pm MT
Abstract:During the pandemic, museums all over the world abruptly launched “online exhibitions.” Results varied and revealed divergent concepts of what constitutes an exhibition. In trying to identify more or less “exhibit-y” online exhibitions, I’ve developed a notion that there’s something essential to exhibitions that can manifest both IRL and online. As I argue my case, I’ll tour through a little museology and some current notions about what makes a good tangible exhibition. I hope you’ll find—and share—connections between the medium I work in and your media.
Bio:For over thirty years, Cait McQuade has worked as an exhibit developer, meaning she conceptualizes, researches, and writes for museum exhibitions. She has worked both on staff and on contract for a variety of institutions, including the National Park Service, the Missouri History Museum, the Mark Twain Boyhood Home and Museum, and the Niagara Falls Underground Railroad Heritage Center. Cait has taught graduate museum studies courses at the University of Missouri – St. Louis and the Ƶ18. She holds a BA from Yale University and an MA in American Material Culture from the University of Delaware.
Insect-scale Bioinspired Shapeshifting Origami Robots
Speaker: Kaushik Jayaram
Tuesday, April 1, 11:30am - 12:30pm MT
Abstract:Animals such as mice, cockroaches and spiders have the remarkable ability to maneuver through challenging cluttered natural terrain and have been inspiration for adaptable legged robotic systems. We hypothesize that animals vary their body geometry and mechanics to overcome the adaptability-agility tradeoffs which limit the performance of traditional soft robots. Inspired by locomotion strategies of cockroaches and spiders, we present our results related to the above using Compliant Legged Autonomous Robotic Insect (CLARI), our insect-scale, origami-based quadrupedal robot capable of passive shape morphing and active shape shifting, and demonstrate novel behaviors such as omnidirectional confined legged locomotion. While the distributed compliance of such soft-legged robots enables them adapt to explore complex environments, their gait design, control, and motion planning enable agile locomotion. However, this is often challenging due to a large number of unactuated/underactuated degrees of freedom. Towards addressing this issue, we present a geometric motion planning framework for autonomous, closed kinematic chain articulated systems that is computationally effective and has a promising potential for onboard and real-time gait generation. Finally, combining experimental and modeling efforts, we will present the beginning of a framework that enables us to quantify tradeoffs associated with shape change notably with respect to agility and adaptability.
Bio:Dr. Kaushik Jayaram is presently an Assistant Professor in Robotics at the Paul M Rady Department of Mechanical Engineering at the Ƶ18. Previously, he was a post-doctoral scholar in Prof. Rob Wood's Microrobotics lab at Harvard University. He obtained his doctoral degree in Integrative Biology in 2015 from the University of California Berkeley mentored by Prof. Bob Full and undergraduate degree in Mechanical Engineering from the Indian Institute of Technology Bombay in 2009, with interdisciplinary research experiences at the University of Bielefeld, Germany, and Ecole Polytechnique Federale de Lausanne, Switzerland. Dr. Jayaram's research combines biology and robotics to, uncover the principles of robustness that make animals successful at locomotion in natural environments, and, in turn, inspire the design of the next generation of novel robots for effective real-world operation. His work has been published in a number of prestigious journals and gained significant popular media attention and is supported through funding from NSF, ARO, AFRL, Meta Foundation among others. He is also the recipient of early career awards from NSF (CAREER). Dr. Jayaram is an editorial board member for the journal Soft Robotics, and active member of IEEE and SICB. Besides academic research, Dr. Jayaram’s group is actively involved in several outreach activities that strive toward achieving diversity, equity and inclusivity in STEM and he currently leads the K12 Outreach group from Mechanical engineering and the Outreach and Inclusion group from Robotics at CU.
High Performance Carbon Fiber derived from Waste-Gas CO2
Speaker: Spencer Danserea
Tuesday, March 18, 11:30am - 12:30pm MT
Abstract:In today’s world, carbon fiber is extensively used in aerospace, automotive, structural, and electrical applications. Developed at the Ƶ18 and brought to industry by the startup Mach Electric, a groundbreaking process for manufacturing high-performance fibers has been created. This innovative, carbon-negative additive manufacturing approach significantly reduces production costs and energy consumption. By integrating advanced manufacturing technologies, materials science, and intelligent control systems, the MachFiber process has the potential to revolutionize the carbon fiber industry. Its scalable, energy-efficient production method enhances supply chain resilience and expands the use of carbon composites into novel applications, redefining the sustainability of advanced materials.
Bio:Spencer Dansereau holds degrees in Mechanical Engineering and Modern Languages & Literature from Montana State University, as well as a Master’s in Engineering Management, a Master’s in Aerospace Engineering, and a Ph.D. in Aerospace Engineering from the Ƶ18. With expertise in robotics and materials science, he specializes in composite design and integration. In 2023, while completing his Ph.D. at CU Boulder, he founded Mach Electric Inc. to develop innovative, sustainable solutions for carbon fiber manufacturing.
Side by Side: Binary Breaking through Youth-Made Art-Science Bird-Human Exhibits and Embedded Research Methods
Speaker: Chelsea Hackett
Tuesday, March 11, 11:30am - 12:30pm MT
Abstract:Side by Side is a transdisciplinary program that seeks to address the lack of representation in climate communication through a paid summer fellowship for historically marginalized young women and gender-expansive youth. Through art-science inquiry informed by evolutionary biology, ornithology, climate communication, performance, design, and experiential learning, fellows in the summer program deepen their understanding of migratory bird species and express the impacts of climate change on their feathered neighbors through the creation of Migratory Micro-Exhibits. These dynamic bi-lingual (Spanish/English) exhibits are contained within transportable trunks, carrying youth-produced climate communication materials including: wearable bird costumes, art-science explorations of bird biology, and interactive components to engage audiences in envisioning new futures. Formative evaluation of Micro-Exhibits is embedded into the experience of the trunks themselves through participatory forms of qualitative data collection that allow audience members to contribute their own climate narratives through drawings, writing, recordings, and other interactive activities. These types of integrated and interactive assessments allow for insight into the thoughts and perspectives of program participants, while remaining unobtrusive to the learning process (Fu et al., 2019). In this colloquium Dr. Hackett Holden will lead a discussion on the benefits and challenges of various research methodologies, particularly focusing on the power that research holds and how to thoughtfully utilize methods that contribute to the equitable distribution of power and do not deepen existing mindsets that position researchers above subjects, adults above youth, or quantitative methods above qualitative. We encourage attendees to think about how our research methods themselves can disrupt hierarchies and instead place these disparate concepts side by side.
Bio: Dr. Chelsea Hackett Holden
Director of STEAM Engagement and Innovation
Chelsea Hackett Holden PhD (She/Her/Hers) is an interdisciplinary artist, researcher, and creative consultant based in Boulder, Colorado. She is currently serving as the Director of STEAM Engagement and Innovation at Science Ƶ18y. In addition, she is the Project Director of Side by Side, an interdisciplinary project guiding youth through exploring human/bird relationships as a lens for generating hopeful climate narratives. Before joining CU, she was the co-founder and Executive Director of SPEAK, a non-profit that focuses on Vocal Empowerment for women and girls. She completed her doctorate in Educational Theatre at New York University, where her research focused on a partnership between MAIA Impact, a Guatemalan all-girl school, and an all-female Maya theatre company called Ajchowen. For eight years, Chelsea was a professional development coach and teaching artist in New York City. She is passionate about using the power of the arts to create collective meaning and engage in critical conversations.
Supporting Collaboration
Speaker: Greg Phillips
Tuesday, March 4, 11:30am - 12:30pm MT
Abstract:Collaboration and Spatial Interaction
A joyride on the mind’s bicycle
Speaker: James Eagan
Thursday, February 27, 11:30am - 12:30pm MT
Abstract:Steve Jobs once referred to the computer as a bicycle for the mind, but today’s software tools increasingly limit rather than empower users. In this talk, we will explore the computer as a tool for the mind, one that mediates people’s interactions with the digital world. I will present work on building a better bicycle by making software more malleable. Along the way, we will take a pit stop in the world of ubiquitous computing and apply cutting-edge distributed systems research to facilitate personal and collective digital sovereignty in an increasingly hostile world.
Bio: is a Visiting Professor in the Info Department for the current academic year. He is an Associate Professor (Maître de conférences) and chair of the at, a founding school of the. He is chair of the Interaction, graphics, and design Masters program in Computer Science and former chair of the Big Data professional master’s program. His research focuses on malleable systems and information sensemaking, and he publishes regularly in the ACM CHI (Human-Computer Interaction), UIST (User Interface Systems and Technologies), and IEEE VIS (Visualization) communities. He earned his M.S. and Ph.D. in Computer Science from the Georgia Institute of Technology and a B.A. in Mathematics/Computer Science from Lawrence University of Wisconsin.
User-Centered Design in Healthcare: Lessons from Software, AI, and Museums
Speaker: James Mitchell
Tuesday, February 25, 11:30am - 12:30pm MT
Abstract:In this talk, we'll explore the intersection of user-centered design and software development, particularly within the healthcare sector. Topics covered include efficient clinical information delivery, clinical decision support, and the nuances of app development in a clinical environment. Additionally, we'll touch upon the application of augmented reality in museum artifacts and discuss forthcoming work
Bio:James Mitchell, PhD, is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Biomedical Informatics, part of the Centre for Health AI on the CU Anschutz Medical Campus. James completed his Computer Science PhD in the UK after working for Apple Inc. for almost a decade. His research focuses on HCI, User-centered Design, and software development, predominantly in clinical information delivery and decision support.
Creative STEAM Learning in Public Libraries
Speaker: Ada Ren-Mitchell
Tuesday, February 18, 11:30am - 12:30pm MT
Abstract:The MIT Public Library Innovation Exchange () develops creative STEAM learning experiences based on MIT research and designed for the public library setting. PLIX programs support learners as Designers—rather than consumers—of technology, Creators—rather than recipients—of knowledge, Scientists and artists—rather than one or the other. PLIX connects library professionals and MIT researchers to co-design learning experiences, develop and share facilitation practices, and integrate creative learning into public library programming. PLIX strives to increase equitable access to and broaden participation in STEAM programming. PLIX started in 2017 as a project of the MIT Media Lab Digital Learning + Collaboration Studio, and in 2024 moved to pK-12 at MIT Open Learning. In this talk, we'll cover the different ways we support the confidence of library professionals to bring creative STEAM learning to their libraries, through our online activity guides, the design of the professional development workshops, the PLIX Ambassador Program, the Community of Practice, and more.
Bio:Ada Ren-Mitchell enjoys wrapping her brain around complex systems, and making sense of it all through community co-creation, visual information design, and prudent science communication. With a degree in Brain and Cognitive sciences, she spent 8 years in STEM education research, focusing on data science and makerspace literacy, supporting engaging learning experiences focused on personal and community interests. Her background also includes 10 years as a web and graphic designer, and 15 years as a multimodal gesture researcher exploring the complex intertwining of speech prosody with hand and body movement, and collaborated on the development of an international annotation system and training program called MultiModal MultiDimensional Labeling System (M3D) that addresses current and changing theories of human communication. Ada brings her diverse talents and personal hobbies to her current role as a Learning Programs Designer running the MIT Public Library Innovation Exchange (PLIX) at pK-12 @ MIT Open Learning, and joyfully and playfully connecting with incredible librarians around the world. Living in Somerville, Massachusetts, she supports the local arts as a member of the city arts council board.
Transit Equity
Speaker: Gregory Crichlow
Tuesday, February 4, 11:30am - 12:30pm MT
Abstract: In today’s urban core, transit is the structural genome, which consistently underperforms in underrepresented communities.
Current research presents data based on municipal infrastructures when discussing transit and marginalized communities. This approach does not change the narrative of how a community takes ownership of its space.
Using Chocolate Spokes Bike Studio as a case study, our research focuses on how communities directly engage transit options by establishing fabrication centers that develop micro-mobility designs to push infrastructures to evolve.
Working with civic partners Chocolate Spokes creates human-powered transit devices that explores the possibilities of local transit habits and introduces multiple design strategies of connective mobility. The approach empowers communities to rethink everyday patterns and establish a sustainable model that facilitates value. The result allows stakeholders to preserve their historical moorings, generate employment opportunities, and reduce transit dependency.
For underrepresented communities, the future of transit should work to create independence that is equitable. A system that allows reinvestment to meet needs through ideation and creation. A system that will enable its constituents to take ownership.
Bio: Gregory’s research and experience as an entrepreneur have manipulated the lens through which he views the built environment and how we move within it. For the last ten years, I have been working at the level of micro-mobility, specifically human-powered vehicles and community, establishing a neighborhood bike shop/community space. The human-powered vehicle is a small but integral detail in discussing infrastructure, energy consumption, and quality of life. The human-powered vehicle scale creates space for communities to come together through familiar but equitable environments.
Adversaries in Second Life
Speaker: Victor Kebande
Tuesday, January 28, 11:30am - 12:30pm MT
Abstract: The metaverse, has been powered by advancements in extended reality (XR) technologies such as augmented reality (AR) and virtual reality (VR), has emerged as the next frontier for digital interaction. However, as these immersive environments grow in complexity and adoption, they also become attractive targets for adversarial activities. In this talk, the author gives a discussion of the evolving landscape of data, cybersecurity and artificial intelligence (AI) threats within the metaverse, using the virtual world Second Life as a case study to illustrate the challenges and vulnerabilities of digital ecosystems. Furthermore, the author also explores the benefits of the intersection of AI, cybersecurity, and XR technologies while emphasizing the importance of interdisciplinary collaboration in safeguarding the metaverse.
In addition, the author asseses potential use-cases in XR, AI and Cybersecurity, and the approaches that AI-driven adversaries could use to exploit XR platforms through identity theft, behavioral manipulation, and social engineering, as well as the implications of data privacy breaches and hardware/software vulnerabilities unique to AR/VR. Ultimately, an examination of how AI could be the potential tool for both attackers and a critical defense mechanism in securing immersive virtual environments. By drawing parallels between Second Life initiatives, we highlight the lessons learned and outline proactive and reactive strategies to preemptively address emerging threats and post-incident strategies.
Bio: Dr. Victor R. Kebande is an Asst Professor & Researcher of IT Security at the Secure Distributed Systems (SDS) under the Department of Computer Science, Institutionen f ̈or Datavetenskap, DIDA at Blekinge Institute of Technology, Karlskrona, Sweden. Dr. Kebande is also a visiting researcher at the Security Research Group at the Department of Computer Science, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, USA. Previously, he was an Excellent Postdoctoral research scientist at the Department of Computer Science, Electrical and Space Engineering, Lule ̊a University of Technology, Lule ̊a, Sweden under Information Systems Research subject. He was also a postdoctoral researcher at the Internet of Things and People (IoTaP) Center at the Department of Computer Science, Malm ̈o University, Malm ̈o, Sweden. He was also a Researcher with the Information and Computer Security Architectures (ICSA) Group and the DIgi-FORS Research Group, University of Pretoria. He has worked paticipated on a group of projects: DISS, Symphony, ArrowHead, and EU dAIEdge. His research is basically broad, multidisciplinary and application-based research, with interests in cyber, information security and digital forensics in the IoT, (IoT & IIoT security), digital forensics-incident response, cyber-physical system protection, critical infrastructure protection, cloud computing security, computer systems, distributed system security, threat hunting and modeling and cyber-security risk assessment, blockchain technologies, and privacy-preserving techniques.
The vital role of learning: Resilience Engineering in Internet-scale business
Speaker: Eric Dobbs
Tuesday, January 21, 11:30am - 12:30pm MT
Abstract: For this talk, I will share three insights I’ve cherry-picked from the body of Resilience Engineering research as a way of provoking a conversation. 1) work-as-imagined vs work-as-done; 2) the above-the-line/below-the-line framework—a systems view of Internet-scale business; and 3) how a flight deck remembers its speeds—a glance at joint cognition.
Resilience engineering as a field and practice emerged from the deeply interdisciplinary community of safety science. It aims to design systems and organizations that adapt effectively to surprise by embracing real-world complexity revealed in accidents, catastrophes, and near misses over the past 40 years. Internet-scale software has grown to a level of complexity that matches or exceeds that of these safety critical industries. The core mechanic of resilience engineering is to learn from incidents to inform all of the other activities of running a business.
Bio: Eric Dobbs has been a Principal Incident Analyst for almost four years. A self-taught programmer, he's been writing code recreationally for over four decades, starting as a recreation in elementary school in the earliest days of personal computing. He wrote code supporting research in the history of linear perspective before eventually completing a self-designed degree program in design studies at the College of Architecture and Planning at CU Boulder. He has also practiced aikido for over three decades and taught for the past two of those. His career has meandered through education, consultancies, government, non-profit, and businesses from startup size to Internet scale. His recreational programming has been focused on since 2015. His journey into self-guided study of resilience engineering started in 2018 as part of the. He holds a bachelor's degree in environmental design from the University of Colorado and a fifth-degree black belt from Boulder Aikikai.
Empowering Women by Women: A Vision for Accessible Sanitary Pads
Speaker: Ajume Wingo
Tuesday, January 14, 11:30am - 12:30pm MT
Abstract: Imagine a world where every woman has a machine at home to make her own sanitary pads. This is my vision.
In this interactive presentation, I will share my journey to empower women globally, especially in Africa. Too often, women’s voices are not heard or understood. I believe that a better world is one where everyone can speak up and be listened to.
Empowering women starts with providing access to education. However, many girls miss out on schooling because they lack basic necessities like sanitary pads and clean water. Without sanitary pads, girls often stay home during their menstrual periods, falling behind in their studies. In many communities, girls also spend hours collecting water for their families, which further disrupts their education.
I will share real stories and examples of how these challenges affect girls’ lives. Together, we can make a difference.
I invite students at Atlas to join me in creating an affordable and effective sanitary pad-making machine. Our goal is to make it as common and essential as a coffee maker in every home. By doing this, we can help girls stay in school and empower women to take charge of their lives.
Bio: Dr. Ajume Wingo, Philosophy Department, CU Boulder, Ajueme Wingo