Dr Luma Tabbaa

Luma Tabbaa is a Lecturer in Digital Media. She completed her PhD in Digital Arts - University of Kent in 2021, specifically investigating the design and deployment of Virtual Reality (VR) in healthcare and wellbeing. Previously, she obtained her MSc in 3D Computer Animation - University of Kent (UK) in 2015 and BSc in Computer Graphics & Animation - Princess Sumaya University for Technology (Jordan) in 2012. Luma has several years of experience in the industry as a Quality Assurance Engineer (Mari; an Oscar Award winner for scientific development, The Foundry – UK), 3D Artist, Motion Graphics Artist, and Graphic Designer.

Luma's research interests lies in the general area of Human-Computer Interaction (HCI), with an emphasis on healthcare technology. Specifically, Luma is interested in the design and deployment of game-based and immersive experiences using technologies such as VR and AR in healthcare settings. Specific topics of interests include:

• Understanding the use of immersive spaces as an emotional space for healthcare and wellbeing.
• Investigating the deployment considerations of immersive experiences within real-world healthcare settings.
• Exploring the design needs and requirements for meaningful, efficient, and effective immersive interventions for healthcare and wellbeing.
• Understanding the opportunities and challenges of designing immersive experiences for healthcare and wellbeing.
  
  

Due to the multidisciplinary nature of Luma's research work, she works researchers from a wide pool of backgrounds and expertise such as biomedical, electronic, and mechanical engineering, digital arts, and psychology.

At the moment, Luma is a co-investigator at the Assistive Devices for empowering disAbled People through robotic Technologies (ADAPT). ADAPT is a collaborative project that combines sixteen organisations across England and France and funded by the European Regional Development Fund. One of the project aims is to provide novel training and assessment modalities, including the use of multi-sensory VR where users can enhance their wheelchair driving skills in a controlled and safe environment. As a researcher in Human-Computer Interaction, responsibilities lie in designing a user experience that supports the user’s psychological and physiological wellbeing as well as designing all 3D photorealistic terrains that meet project design specifications.

Teaching responsibilities include:
DIGM6410 - Digital Visual Effects and Post-Production (Module Convenor)
This Stage 3 undergraduate module introduces the tools and techniques for the integration of live video footage and computer-generated elements so that students will become familiar with what is involved in 3D simulation and visual effects film production.
DIGM6360 - Final Year Project
Supervising and guiding Stage 3 students to accomplish their final year project.
DIGM5320 - Professional 3D and Compositing
This Stage 2 module introduces the 3D design pipeline using industry-standard software packages. Each technical workshop session includes hands-on training in 3D modelling, texturing, lighting, animation, and compositing.
DIGM5760 - Second Year Project
Supervising and guiding Stage 2 students to accomplish group-based projects.

DIGM3170 - Technical Rigging (Module Convenor)
This Stage 1 module introduces the stages of the workflow of 3D rigging and animation to familiarise students with what is involved in production. Indicative topics include; inverse kinematics, forward kinematics, joints system, Maya Embedded Language (MEL), scripting for rigging, skinning, mechanical rigging, humanoid mechanical rigging, character rigging, facial rigging, animal rigging, modelling for rigged bodies.

DIGM3260 - Virtual Environment Design
This Stage 1 module introduces students to the theory, principles, and practice behind designing Virtual Environments and enables them to create a real-time application demonstrating the acquired core skills. The module covers specific production skills needed for the development of assets for various applications, programming concepts for navigating and interacting in Virtual Environments, AI, user interfaces.