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About

Dr. Maria F. Montoya is a pioneering researcher at the intersection of human-computer interaction and aquatic environments, a field she has helped define as "WaterHCI." Her work explores how interactive technology can enhance, rather than disrupt, our engagement with water. Her landmark paper, "Grand challenges in WaterHCI" (2024), already accumulating 19 citations, establishes the foundational research agenda for this emerging domain, examining everything from augmented reality for snorkelers to VR in floatation tanks. Dr. Montoya’s research is distinguished by its focus on experiential, rather than purely performance-oriented, design. In "Exploring the Design of Playful Devices for Surfing" (2024), she challenges the prevailing emphasis on athletic optimization, instead investigating how technology can enrich the joy, sensory experience, and personal connection inherent in surfing. By centering play and human experience, Dr. Montoya is reshaping how we think about technology in leisure and natural settings. Her work is essential reading for students and researchers interested in novel interaction paradigms, embodied cognition, and the future of recreational technology.