2024–2024
Carnegie Mellon University
Pittsburgh, PA
Research Intern, HCII, Axle Lab
Areen Khalaila
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Computer Science PhD Student at Tulane University
Research Area
My research interests lie at the intersection of human-computer interaction, accessibility, and visualization. My work focuses on creating inclusive, user-centered design solutions that provide real-time feedback and guidance. By exploring and addressing the unique challenges faced by individuals with disabilities, I aim to contribute to global accessibility standards and promote the widespread adoption of inclusive practices in both academia and industry.
Experience
2023–2025
Brandeis University
Waltham, MA
Research Intern, Brandeis Visual Analytics Lab
2023–2024
Crown Center for Middle East Studies
Waltham, MA
UX Developer
2022–2022
TAMID Group Technology Consulting
Waltham, MA
Software Engineer intern
Education
2025–Present
PhD in Computer Science, Tulane University
New Orleans, LA
2021–2025
B.Sc. in Computer Science, Brandeis University
Waltham, MS
Advised by Dylan Cashman.
Thesis: ‘From Touch to Insight: Exploring Tactile Strategies and Design Guidelines for Non-Visual Graphical Perception’
Member of the Brandeis Visual Analytics (BraVa) Lab.
Honors: Summa Cum Laude
Advanced coursework on Data Visualization, HCI, DBMS, and Software Engineering.
Publications [Interactive Version]
Paper
P3
'They Aren't Built For Me': An Exploratory Study of Strategies for Measurement of Graphical Primitives in Tactile Graphics
Areen Khalaila, Lane Harrison, Nam Wook Kim, Dylan Cashman.
IEEE VIS, 2025.
Best Paper Award
P2
StreetScape: Gamified Tactile Interactions for Collaborative Learning and Play
Areen Khalaila, Gianna Everette, Suho Kim, Ian Roy.
CHI LBW, 2025.
P1
They Aren't Built For Me: A Replication Study of Visual Graphical Perception with Tactile Representations of Data for Visually Impaired Users
Areen Khalaila, Lane Harrison, Nam Wook Kim, Dylan Cashman.
arXiv, 2024.
Poster
P4
Speculating a Tactile Grammar: Toward Task-Aligned Chart Design for Non-Visual Perception
Areen Khalaila, Dylan Cashman.
ASSETS, 2025.
P3
A Replication of Visual Perception Studies with Tactile Representations of Data for Visually Impaired Users
Areen Khalaila, Lane Harrison, Nam Wook Kim, Dylan Cashman.
IEEE VIS, 2024.
P2
K-CAS: A Kitchen-CameraS Augmentation Exploration for Blind People in the Kitchen
Areen Khalaila, Ashley Fong, Patrick Carrington, Franklin Mingzhe Li.
Carnegie Mellon University Human-Computer Interaction Institute (HCII) REU, 2024.
P1
An Alternative Approach to Visual Perception Studies Using Tactile Data Representations for Visually Impaired Users
Areen Khalaila, Dylan Cashman.
Brandeis University Undergraduate Research and Creative Collaborations (URCC) Symposium, 2024.
Awards
2025
Tulane Graduate Studies Student Association Travel Fund
Tulane University
2024
The Jacques Cohen Award
Brandeis University
This award recognizes outstanding achievement in a research capacity. Recipients have made exceptional contributions on a research project, and are characterized not only by excelling in difficult courses, but challenging the material and exploring the boundaries of the topics.
2025
Asper Award for Global Entrepreneurship
Brandeis University
The Asper Award for Global Entrepreneurship is given to a person that best exemplifies the Asper Center's values of entrepreneurial spirit and independent thinking.
2024
Senior Honors Thesis Award - Provost’s Undergraduate Research Fund
Brandeis University
2024
Conference Presentation Award - Provost’s Undergraduate Research Fund
Brandeis University
This award supports undergraduate students in presenting their research at professional conferences.
2021
Malkin Fellowship
Brandeis University
This award is offered to one student every 4 years and was awarded based on my academic accomplishments and involvements in activities promoting global peace.
2021–Present
Dean's List
Brandeis University
2021
Best Delegate Award
MUN
2021
Outstanding Delegate
MUN
Teaching & Mentoring
2025
Teaching Assistant - Introduction to Computer Science
Tulane UniversityConducted weekly office hours and graded homework and exams. [Fall 2025]
2025
Teaching Assistant - Human-Computer Interaction
Brandeis UniversityConducted weekly office hours and graded homework and exams. [Spring 2025]
2024
Head Teaching Assistant - Advanced Programming Techniques in Java
Brandeis UniversityI led a group of TAs and run weekly recitations. I taught a class of 70+ students the fundamentals of OOP and Data Structure in Java. Spring 2024
2024
Teaching Assistant - Operating Systems
Brandeis UniversityConducted weekly office hours and graded homework and exams. [Spring 2024]
2023
Teaching Assistant - Data Structure
Brandeis UniversityConducted weekly office hours and graded homework and exams. [Fall 2023]
2022–present
Teaching Assistant - Advanced Programming Techniques in Java
Brandeis UniversityConducted weekly office hours and graded homework and exams. [Fall 2022, Spring 2023, Summer 2023, Summer 2024, Spring 2025]
2022–2023
Teaching Assistant - Problem-Solving in Python
Brandeis UniversityConducted weekly office hours and graded homework and exams. [Spring 2022, Summer 2022, Fall 2023]
2022
Peer Tutor of Computer Science and Math - TRIO SSSP
Brandeis UniversityProvided one-on-one tutoring to first-gen students in Computer Science and Math. [Fall 2022]
Service
- Student Volunteer (2024), ACM SIGACCESS (ASSETS) conference in St. John's, Newfoundland and Labrador
References
Dylan Cashman
Assistant Professor, Computer Science Department
Brandeis University
Iraklis Tsekourakis
Associate Teaching Professor, Khoury College
Northeastern University
Patrick Carrington
Assistant Professor, Human-Computer Interaction Institute
Carnegie Mellon University