Mariana Shimabukuro
PhD
Associate Teaching Professor
Computer Science
Faculty of Science
I am an Associate Teaching Professor in the Faculty of Science and a Visualization and HCI researcher at Ontario Tech University. My current research focuses on empowering users through interactive visualization and applications. I create user-centred applications that leverage data-driven resources, including AI, LLMs, and NLP.
Contact information
Science Building
- Room SCI 4021
North Oshawa
2000 Simcoe Street North
Oshawa, ON L1G 0C5
905.721.8668 ext. 5369
Mariana.Shimabukuro@ontariotechu.ca
https://www.shimabukuro.ca/
Research topics
- Learning technologies
- User-centered design
- Information Visualization
- Human-Computer Interaction
- Educational apps
- Language Learning applications
- Data-driven applications
Areas of expertise
- AI-powered and user-centred applications for enabling user empowerment
- Data visualization and analytics
- Language learning
- Interaction design
- Educational applications
- User-centered applications
- Data-driven applications
Background
Dr. Mariana Akemi Shimabukuro is an Associate Teaching Professor in the Faculty of Science and a researcher in Visualization and Human-Computer Interaction (HCI) at Ontario Tech University. Her work focuses on developing user-centred, data-driven applications that empower users through interactive visualization, AI, large language models (LLMs), and natural language processing (NLP).She completed her M.Sc. in 2017 on automatic text label abbreviation for information visualizations and her Ph.D. in 2024 on applications that promote autonomy in language learners.
As an educator, Dr. Shimabukuro fosters a collaborative and inclusive learning environment, emphasizing hands-on projects, real-world applications, and critical thinking. She is passionate about mentoring students and supporting their growth through research and creative inquiry.
Her current research interests include user-centered AI applications, data visualization and analytics, interaction design, language learning, recommendation systems, and computing education.
Education
- Doctorate in Philosophy, Computer Science Ontario Tech University 2024
- Master's Degree, Computer Science Ontario Tech University 2017
- Bachelor's in Computer Science, Ciência da Computação Universidade Estadual Paulista Júlio de Mesquita Filho 2014
Courses taught
- CSCI1040U - Intro. to programming for Scientists (Python)
- CSCI 2000U - Scientific Data Analysis
- CSCI 2020U - Software Systems Development and Integration
- CSCI 2040U - Software Design and Analysis
- CSCI 2160U - Digital Media
- CSCI3030U - Database Systems and Concepts
- CSCI4040U - Ethics, Law and the Social Impacts of Computing