Research at the Boundaries of Technology and Humanity
We explore interdisciplinary systems that exist at transitional thresholds: where networks bridge isolation, where privacy meets connectivity, where AI augments rather than replaces human capability. Our work addresses the liminal spaces where transformative technology emerges.
We are twin scientists passionate about interdisciplinary research that uses technology to serve humanity. Our unique perspective as twins shapes how we approach complex problems: we see connections across domains that others might miss, and we believe that the most meaningful advances happen when technical innovation meets human understanding.
"Liminal" derives from the Latin limen, meaning threshold. We focus on systems that occupy transitional states: neither fully one thing nor another, but spaces of becoming where the most profound transformations occur.
Systems that bridge divides: space and Earth, privacy and utility, machine intelligence and human wisdom. We study the protocols and mechanisms that enable crossing between domains.
Computing at thresholds: edge devices between cloud and user, satellites between orbit and ground, protocols adapting between network conditions. These liminal moments demand new thinking.
Technology serves humanity, not the reverse. We design systems that preserve human agency, protect privacy, and enhance capability while remaining transparent and trustworthy.
Breaking barriers for underserved communities. Our research extends connectivity to remote regions and creates assistive technologies that empower individuals with disabilities.
Our research operates in what we call the Third Space: the fertile ground between established disciplines where innovation flourishes. This is not merely interdisciplinary work; it is a deliberate positioning at the intersection of networked systems and human experience, where technical rigor meets humanistic inquiry.
In the Third Space, we ask different questions. Not just "how can we make this system faster?" but "how can this system better serve human needs?" Not just "what does the data show?" but "what does this mean for the communities we serve?"
This approach grounds our technical contributions in real human impact, from satellite networks connecting remote communities to privacy preserving systems that protect vulnerable users to assistive technologies that break communication barriers.
Our research is organized around interconnected systems that address challenges at the boundaries of technology and human experience.
Direct to device satellite communications and LEO constellation networking for global connectivity. Bringing networks to regions beyond traditional infrastructure.
Protecting user identity and location in next generation cellular and immersive systems while maintaining the utility that makes connectivity valuable.
Systems that break communication barriers for deaf and hard of hearing communities. Leveraging sensing and machine learning for real time sign language understanding.
On device machine learning at the boundary between cloud and user, enabling intelligent processing while preserving data locality and privacy.
Self adapting communication protocols that learn and evolve, operating in the liminal space between fixed specification and dynamic adaptation.
Privacy and security in immersive environments. Protecting users in VR/AR systems where the boundary between physical and digital becomes porous.
Select projects that exemplify our commitment to research at the boundaries.
A novel system that protects user privacy during text entry in virtual reality environments. PhantomKey addresses the unique vulnerabilities of immersive systems where keystroke dynamics, gaze patterns, and motion data can reveal sensitive information about users.
Comprehensive research on low Earth orbit satellite systems for IoT connectivity. Our work spans protocol design, privacy aware Doppler compensation, and machine learning approaches for next generation satellite networks connecting remote and underserved regions.
Leveraging wireless sensing and machine learning to enable real time sign language recognition and translation. SignSense represents our commitment to using technology to break communication barriers and create more inclusive environments.
An exploration of transitional zones in networked systems: the handoff regions between cells, the latency corridors between edge and cloud, the trust boundaries between secure and untrusted domains. Corridor develops frameworks for reasoning about and optimizing performance in these critical transitions.