Alanson Sample

Alanson Sample is an Associate Professor in the Electrical Engineering and Computer Science Department at the University of Michigan, as well as the director of the Interactive Sensing and Computing Laboratory. His research focuses on human-computer interaction, wireless technologies, cyber-physical systems, and data science. His team is dedicated to creating innovative sensing systems that generate previously unmeasurable data to quantify and understand human behavior. Additionally, his work involves embedded systems, signal processing, and artificial intelligence to explore how privacy-preserving sensors can enable secure and efficient analysis of human behavior. Previously, he served as the Lab Director of Disney Research Los Angeles and as Principal Research Scientist at Disney Research Pittsburgh, achieving excellence in wireless systems, robotics, and artificial intelligence. In 2011, he earned his Ph.D. in Electrical Engineering from the University of Washington, focusing on wireless power transfer, energy harvesting, and ubiquitous computing.

• 2018–Present·University of Michigan·Associate Professor
  • Leads the Interactive Sensing and Computing Laboratory, conducting research in human-computer interaction, cyber-physical systems, and wireless technologies.
• 2015–2018·Disney Research Los Angeles·Lab Director
  • Directed innovative research in robotics, artificial intelligence, and human-computer interaction.
• 2012–2015·Disney Research Pittsburgh·Principal Research Scientist
  • Led the Wireless Systems Group, developing new interactive experiences based on electromagnetics and embedded systems.
• 2011–2012·Intel Labs·Research Scientist
  • Conducted energy harvesting research for wearable devices and the Internet of Things.
• 2011·University of Washington·Postdoctoral Research Fellow
  • Collaborated with Yale School of Medicine to develop a wirelessly powered implantable heart pump.

• 2005–2011·University of Washington·Ph.D.
  • Electrical Engineering, focusing on wireless power transfer and energy harvesting.
• 2001–2005·Not Specified·Bachelor’s Degree
  • Electrical Engineering or related field (specifics not provided).