Thomas N. Smyth
|
http://tomsmyth.ca
Education
Ph.D Student (Computer Science) - Georgia Institute of Technology
August 2007 - Present
- Member of School of Interactive Computing
- Research focus on technologies and international development
- Field research experience in Liberia, Uganda, and India
M. Sc. (Computer Science) - Simon Fraser University
September 2004 - August 2006
- Research focus on human-computer interaction, especially haptic interfaces
- Thesis entitled Design and Evaluation of Pokespace: A Bimanual Haptic Interaction Technique
(Download)
- 4.00 cumulative GPA
B. Sc. (Hons., Computer Science) - Memorial University of Newfoundland
September 1999 - April 2003
- 3.97 cumulative GPA, ranked 1st in graduating class
- Honours research focus on software engineering; Pro Vice-Chancellor's Prize for outstanding thesis
- Interviewed candidate for Rhodes Scholarship
Publications
Ho, M., Smyth, T. N., Kam, M., & Dearden, A. (2009). Human Computer Interaction for Development: A Brief History. Information Technologies and International Development, 5(2). To appear.
Anokwa, Y., Smyth, T. N., Ramachandran, D., Sherwani, J., Schwartzman, Y., Luk, R., Ho, M., Moraveji, N., DeRenzi, B. (2009). Stories from the Field: Reflections on HCI4D Experiences. Information Technologies and International Development, 5(2). To appear.
Best, M. L., Etherton, J., Smyth, T. N., & Wornyo, E. (2009). Uses of mobile phones in post-conflict Liberia. In
Proceedings of the international conference on information and communication technologies and development (pp. 468-477).
(Download)
Best, M. L., Smyth, T. N., Serrano-Baquero, D., & Etherton, J. (2009). Designing for and with Diaspora: A Case Study of Work for the Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Liberia. In
Extended abstracts on Human factors in computing systems (pp. 2903-2918).
(Download)
Crider, M., Bergner, S., Smyth, T. N., Möller, T., Tory, M. K., Kirkpatrick, A. E., et al. (2007). A mixing board interface for graphics and visualization applications. In
Proceedings of Graphics Interface (pp. 87-94).
(Download)
Smyth, T., Smyth, T. N., & Kirkpatrick, A. E. (2006). Exploring the Virtual Reed Parameter Space Using Haptic Feedback. In
Proceedings of the IEEE Workshop on Multimedia Signal Processing (pp. 45-49).
(Download)
Smyth, T. N., & Kirkpatrick, A. E. (2006a). A new approach to haptic augmentation of the GUI. In
Proceedings of the international conference on Multimodal interfaces (pp. 372-379).
(Download)
Smyth, T. N., & Kirkpatrick, A. E. (2006b). Haptic constraints for a bimanual command and location selection task. In
Proceedings of the Eurohaptics conference.
(Download)
Employment Experience
Intern
Microsoft Research India, May 2009 - August 2009
- Conducted research on multimedia-sharing practices among low-income mobile phone users
- Ethnographic research comprised over 50 interviews and observation sessions throughout the city of Bangalore
- Findings to be submitted to CHI 2010 and elsewhere
Graduate Research Assistant
Dr. Michael Best, Georgia Institute of Technology, January 2008 - Present
- Designed and constructed MOSES video sharing kiosk system for deployment to Liberia
- Conducted field research into mobile phone usage in Liberia
- Developed and evaluated novel mobile data gathering technologies in Uganda
Interface Designer
Zeta Networks, February 2006 - August 2006
- Designed user interfaces for web applications
- Implemented designs using Ruby on Rails and AJAX technologies
- Implemented automated integration testing using Selenium
Research Assistant
Dr. Arthur E. Kirkpatrick, Simon Fraser University, August 2006 - December 2006
- Designed human-computer interfaces incorporating haptic feedback
- Conducted user studies to evaluate designs
- Collaborated on scholarly publications
Software Developer
Judicial Service of Ghana (CUSO NetCorps Intern) September 2003 - March 2004
- In Canada, received training in education techniques and cross cultural adaptation
- Developed data driven multi-user software to automate the Statistics Division of the Judicial Service
- Provided consultation to administration on staffing and software support issues
Technology Editor
The Muse - Student Newspaper, October 2000 - April 2003
- Developed web site, content management system, and office intranet (www.tomsmyth.ca/musewww.tomsmyth.ca/muse)
- Recruited, coordinated, and trained team of web assistants
- Wrote bi-weekly column for paper's science & technology section
- Attended 2001, 2002 national Canadian University Press conferences
Lab Assistant & Instructor
Memorial University Computer Science Department, January 2001 - April 2002
- Assisted students with assigned work during weekly lab sessions
- Taught weekly tutorial sessions
- Graded assignments
Volunteer Experience
Committee Member
Action Research Exchange (ARX), SFPIRG, SFU, June 2004 - December 2005
- ARX's mission is to unite university researchers with non-profit community groups, leading to mutually interesting research
- Helped design and develop the program's policy and procedures
- Built extensive application to manage operations (www.sfpirg.ca/arxwww.sfpirg.ca/arx)
Communications Coordinator
Simon Fraser Ultimate Frisbee Club, April 2005 - February 2006
- Planned team tournaments, fundraisers, etc.
- Built extensive website for the team (www.sfuclam.orgwww.sfuclam.org)
- Participated in several UPA collegiate level tournaments
Co-founder
Newfoundland & Labrador Ultimate Association and Mile Zero Ultimate League, Summer 2004
- Assembled an executive of local ultimate enthusiasts
- Negotiated with St. John's municipal officials for field space
- Organized publicity campaign, including postering and media appearances
- Built extensive website for the league (www.milezeroultimate.comwww.milezeroultimate.com)
Selected Awards & Honours
Georgia Institute of Technology
- 2009-2010 GVU Foley Scholars, Finalist (Decision of winners pending)
- 2008-2009 GVU Foley Scholars, Finalist
- 2008 NSERC Canada Graduate Scholarship-Doctoral ($105,000/3 years)
Simon Fraser University
- 2005 NSERC Julie Payette Postgraduate Scholarship ($25,000)
- 2004 C.D. Nelson Entrance Scholarship ($18,000)
Memorial University of Newfoundland
- 2003 Captain Robert A. Bartlett Science Award (1st in graduating class, $700)
- 2003 Pro Vice Chancellor's Prize for Undergraduate Scholarship (Honours thesis, $500)
- 2003 Lou Visentin Award (All four years on Dean's List)
- 2001 Government of Newfoundland Senior Jubilee Scholarship ($3,000)