New Faculty Spotlight: Dr. Sandra Bae

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Dr. Sandra Bae joined the Department of Computer Science faculty fall 2025. We asked Dr. Bae to answer our "Getting to know you" questions. Responses below. 

Educational background/short bio:
I earned my Ph.D from the ATLAS Institute at the University of Colorado, Boulder (2025), where I was advised by Profs. Ellen Yi-Luen Do, Danielle Albers Szafir, and Michael L. Rivera. I completed my M.S. in Computer Science (2020) as a NASA JPL Master’s Thesis Educational Fellow and my B.A. in Human-Computer Interaction (2018), both from the University of California, Davis. My broader research interests include human-computer interaction, data visualization, computational geometry & fabrication, optimization, and tangible Interactions.

Research interests:
My research seeks to broaden how we interact with data by using 3D+ data representations and multi-modal interactions, addressing the human and data factors of data visualization. I achieve this by drawing on highly interdisciplinary methods, spanning psychology (sensemaking theory), computation, electrical engineering, additive manufacturing (3D printing), and visual techniques. In particular, my work focuses on uncovering contexts of when to interact with data beyond traditional data interfaces, such as desktop displays and mobile phones, and how to achieve this new interaction paradigm. 

Concrete examples include increasing children’s data engagement using cost-effective, scalable methods, supporting direct interactive sensing for 3D spatial datasets using 3D printed electronics, and promoting a new way of analyzing multidimensional datasets with hybrid setups. Moreover, the interdisciplinarity of my work lends itself to addressing needs in other fields, such as robotics and computational fabrication.

Why did you apply to join the University of Arizona Department of Computer Science?
Data visualization has had a strong presence at the University of Arizona’s CS department. I’m excited to build upon this foundation but also contribute new research perspectives (e.g., computational fabrication and immersive analytics).  Additionally, the university’s strong teaching infrastructure and commitment to interdisciplinarity foster a vibrant environment that supports my growth as an educator and creates exciting opportunities for my research.
I’m also excited to explore Tucson for its food and outdoor climbing opportunities.

What made you interested in pursuing a career in higher education/the academy?
I see an academia career as the equivalent of opening up your own “restaurant”. There’s an abundance of different types of restaurants in the world, ranging from high-end fine dining to hole-in-the-walls to food trucks, etc. Similarly, I’m attracted to the autonomy and creativity academia offers in being able to define the kind of work I produce and the impact it can have. I also appreciate the opportunity to engage with a wide range of people—students, collaborators, the public, and fellow faculty—since this diversity enriches my perspective and challenges me to grow. Often, the best and novel ideas come from a simple shift in perspective. 

What are you looking forward to most in coming to UA?
I’m excited to “open” my restaurant. There will inevitably be lows and highs, but that is part of the process of building something meaningful together.  I look forward to how my students and I will shape the lab’s identity and research directions. Specifically, I’m excited to build an interdisciplinary research environment—one where we not only create new tools, systems, and artifacts but also study how they are used and experienced. Building such an environment also means mentoring students as they embark on their own academic journey, foraging collaborations across departments, and engaging with Tucson’s broader community. 

Any other information you would like students, staff, faculty, alumni, etc. to know about you. 
I’m a big foodie. If you have any local recommendations, please feel free to send them my way. I’m also really interested in sports documentaries. And for those who are excited about building, making, or fabricating—whether through research, projects, or personal hobbies—I’d love to connect and hear what you’re working on.