Kaiang Wen
Kaiang Wen /kaɪˈɑŋ wən/

Ph.D. Student

Bio

I am a third-year Ph.D. student in Computer Science at Illinois Institute of Technology, working with Prof. Mark Roman Miller. I received my B.S. in Computer Science from Beijing Jiaotong University.

My research interest lies in the intersection of Augmented and Virtual Reality (AR/VR), Machine Learning, and Computer Vision, with a focus on understanding user behavior and cognitive states in immersive environments. My vision is to create systems that can quietly sense what users are thinking or feeling and adjust in real time, to make digital experiences more dynamic, natural, and seamless.

View My CV
Interests
  • Virtual Reality/Augmented Reality
  • Machine Learning
  • Computer Vision
Education
  • PhD Computer Science

    Illinois Institute of Technology

  • BSc Computer Science

    Beijing Jiaotong University

Research Projects

Experience

  1. Doctoral Researcher

    SSIL Lab, Illinois Institute of Technology

    Responsibilities include:

    • Designed and conducted cognitive user studies with 24 participants using custom-built VR applications in Unity3D using the Meta Quest 3, collecting head/hand motion data to study subtle cognitive states.
    • Built a reproducible research pipeline covering motion data collection (72 Hz), cross-platform time synchronization, video slicing, annotation alignment, and feature extraction, enabling machine learning analysis.
    • Engineered and benchmarked classical ML and deep temporal models (SVM, Random Forest, LightGBM, LSTM, ResNet), demonstrating models can approach human-level performance in within-participant inference and highlighting cross-participant generalization as a key open challenge.
    • First-authored papers presenting the first systematic evidence that VR motion telemetry encodes nuanced cognitive processes like confusion, hesitation, and readiness.
  2. Research Intern

    Megvii Research (Formerly Face++)

    Responsibilities include:

    • Proposed a self-training framework for 3D scene reconstruction that uses sparse input views and iteratively augments training with high-fidelity synthesized views, reducing NeRF’s reliance on dense view inputs.
    • Led an independent research project focusing on time-series analysis, applying computer vision and deep learning techniques to extract and predict physiological signals from noisy laser-illuminated video data.
  3. Visiting Student

    VIPL Lab, Chinese Academy of Science

    Responsibilities include:

    • Developed a full medical imaging pipeline using U-Net segmentation and MMPose for skeletal keypoints estimation.
    • Achieved a 75% (20° → 4.88°) reduction in measurement error through advanced image processing and model optimization, demonstrating expertise in computer vision and machine learning.
    • Collaborated in a cross-institutional, interdisciplinary team with clinical experts to guide data annotation and ensure the real-world validity of the model’s outputs.
    • Advisor: Prof. Xinhang Song
  4. Lead Instructor

    Summer’24 National Coding Bootcamp, TCTM Kids IT Education

    TCTM offers quality IT education targeting students aged three to eighteen through a hybrid platform combining live instruction, classroom tutoring, and online learning. The company was founded in 2002, formerly known as Tarena International, Inc.

    Responsibilities include:

    • Organized two intensive coding camps for 210+ students (ages 9–18) across 7 classes, delivering an engaging curriculum from foundational C++ to advanced algorithms and data structures, with real-world applications to strengthen students’ problem-solving skills.
    • Enhanced communication and collaboration skills by regularly engaging with students’ parents to provide progress updates, and by working closely with fellow instructors to ensure high-quality, consistent instruction.

Education

  1. PhD Computer Science

    Illinois Institute of Technology
  2. BSc Computer Science

    Beijing Jiaotong University
Honors and Awards
Bronze Medal in 45th ICPC Asia Regional Programming Contest Jinan Site
∙ December 2020
Link. Achieved top performance in one of the world’s most prestigious programming competitions, showcasing problem-solving, algorithmic thinking, and teamwork under time constraints.
Silver Medal in 2020 China Collegiate Programming Contest (CCPC) Mianyang Site
∙ October 2020
Link. Excelled in the well-recognized and highly competitive programming contest requiring teamwork and innovation, demonstrating exceptional algorithmic problem-solving skills.
Grand Prize in 4th Changfeng Cup Big Data Analysis and Mining Competition
∙ December 2020
Link. Top 2/662. Led a team to win the grand prize in a well-recognized national competition focused on big data analysis and mining. Demonstrated exceptional skills in data analytics, machine learning, and problem-solving by developing an innovative solution to a complex real-life problem. Recognized for outstanding technical proficiency and effective teamwork.
First Place Recipient of the Technology Star Scholarship in School of Computer and Information Technology, BJTU
∙ November 2021
The highest honor for undergraduate students conducting disciplinary competitions and research innovations.
First Prize in 2020 Contemporary Undergraduate Mathematical Contest in Modeling, Beijing
∙ October 2020
Awarded first prize for developing a mathematical model to solve a real-world problem in a competitive, time-constrained environment. Demonstrated mathematical modeling skills, creative problem-solving, and teamwork.
Languages
90%
English
100%
Chinese (Mandarin)
90%
Cantonese