Publications - Richard Zhao

Peer-reviewed Publications

Serious Games and AI

M. Shomoye and R. Zhao.
Automated Emotion Recognition of Students in Virtual Reality Classrooms. Computers & Education: X Reality. 5:2024, December, 2024. [Link]
H. A. Sloan, R. Zhao, F. Aqlan, H. Yang, R. Zhu.
Adaptive Virtual Assistant for Virtual Reality-based Remote Learning. American Society for Engineering Education Annual Conference & Exposition (ASEE 2022) Proceedings. Minneapolis, USA, June, 2022. [Link] [BibTeX] [Slides]

R. Versaw, S. Schultz, K. Lu, R. Zhao.
Modular Reinforcement Learning Framework for Learners and Educators. Proceedings of the International Conference on the Foundations of Digital Games (FDG), virtual, August, 2021. [GitHub] [Link] [BibTeX]

R. Zhao, C. R. Shelton, M. D. Hetzel-Riggin, J. LaRiccia, G. Louchart, A. Meanor and H. J. Risser.
Knowledge Assessment: Game for Assessment of Symptoms of Child Physical Abuse. Proceedings of the 14th International Conference on the Foundations of Digital Games (FDG), San Luis Obispo, California, USA, August, 2019. [Project Website] [GitHub] [Link] Acceptance Rate: 37%. Best Paper Award Honourable Mention.

Serious Games and Immersive Technologies

R. Begum, F. Aqlan, M. Decaro, H. Yang, R. Zhao, J. Saleem, P. K. Murphy.
Exploring Human-Human Teaming and Human-Machine Interaction in a Collaborative Virtual Learning Factory. American Society for Engineering Education Annual Conference & Exposition (ASEE 2025) Proceedings, Montreal, Canada, June, 2025. [Link]
N. S. Shishir, R. Zhao.
Is the Jedi Force Pull Method Effective? Evaluating Eye-Tracked Object Grabbing in VR. Proceedings of the International Conference on the Foundations of Digital Games (FDG 2025), Graz, Austria, April, 2025. [Link] Acceptance Rate: 48%.
F. Aslam, R. Zhao.
Voice-Augmented Virtual Reality Interface for Serious Games. Proceedings of the IEEE Conference on Games (CoG), Milan, Italy, August, 2024. [Link] [BibTeX] Acceptance Rate: 41.1%.
H. Kim, T. Hartleb, K. Bello, F. Aqlan, R. Zhao, H. Yang.
Behavioral Modeling of Collaborative Problem Solving in Multiplayer Virtual Reality Manufacturing Simulation Games. Journal of Computing and Information Science in Engineering. March, 2024. [Link] [BibTeX]
T. Hartleb, H. Kim, R. Zhao, F. Aqlan, H. Yang.
Exploring Magic Interactions for Collaboration in Virtual Reality Learning Factory. American Society for Engineering Education Annual Conference & Exposition (ASEE 2023) Proceedings, Baltimore, USA, June, 2023. [Link] [BibTeX]
R. Zhu, F. Aqlan, R. Zhao, H. Yang.
Sensor-based Modeling of Problem-Solving in Virtual Reality Manufacturing Systems. Expert Systems with Applications, vol 201, p. 117220, 2022. [Link] [BibTeX]
F. Aqlan, R. Zhao.
Assessment of Collaborative Problem Solving in Engineering Students Through Hands-On Simulations. IEEE Transactions on Education, 65:1, February, 2022, p9-17. [Link] [BibTeX]

R. Zhu, F. Aqlan, R. Zhao, H. Yang.
Eye-Track Modeling of Problem-Solving in Virtual Manufacturing Environments. American Society for Engineering Education Annual Conference & Exposition (ASEE 2021) Proceedings, virtual, July, 2021. [Link] [BibTeX]
R. Zhao, F. Aqlan, L. J. Elliott, E. Baxter.
Multiplayer Physical and Virtual Reality Games for Team-based Manufacturing Simulation. American Society for Engineering Education Annual Conference & Exposition (ASEE 2020) Proceedings, virtual, June, 2020. [Link]
L. J. Elliott, F. Aqlan, R. Zhao, M. Janney.
Assessment of Metacognitive Skills in Design and Manufacturing. American Society for Engineering Education Annual Conference & Exposition (ASEE 2020) Proceedings, virtual, June, 2020. [Link]
L. J. Elliott, H. C. Lum, F. Aqlan, R. Zhao and C. D. Lasher.
A Study of Metacognitive Problem Solving in Undergraduate Engineering Students. Advances in Human Factors in Training, Education, and Learning Sciences, Advances in Intelligent Systems and Computing, vol 963, p95-102, 2020, Springer. [Link]
R. Zhao, F. Aqlan, L. J. Elliott, H. C. Lum.
Developing a Virtual Reality Game for Manufacturing Education. Proceedings of the 14th International Conference on the Foundations of Digital Games (FDG), San Luis Obispo, California, USA, August, 2019. [Link]
F. Aqlan, R. Zhao, H. C. Lum, L. J. Elliott.
Integrating Simulation Games and Virtual Reality to Teach Manufacturing Systems Concepts. American Society for Engineering Education Annual Conference & Exposition (ASEE 2019) Proceedings, Tampa, FL, USA, June, 2019. [Link]
F. Aqlan, H. C. Lum, L. J. Elliott, R. Zhao.
Using Manufacturing Simulations to Evaluate Metacognitive Awareness in Industrial Engineering Students. American Society for Engineering Education Annual Conference & Exposition (ASEE 2019) Proceedings, Tampa, FL, USA, June, 2019. [Link]

Games and AI

K. Saadat, R. Zhao.
Enhancing Two-Player Performance Through Single-Player Knowledge Transfer: An Empirical Study on Atari 2600 Games. Proceedings of the Twentieth AAAI Conference on Artificial Intelligence and Interactive Digital Entertainment (AIIDE-24), Lexington, USA, November, 2024. [Link] Acceptance Rate: 26.5%.
M. Farrokhimaleki, R. Zhao.
Procedural Content Generation in Games: A Survey with Insights on Emerging LLM Integration. Proceedings of the Twentieth AAAI Conference on Artificial Intelligence and Interactive Digital Entertainment (AIIDE-24), Lexington, USA, November, 2024. [Link]

N. Desai, R. Zhao and D. Szafron.
Effects of Gender on Perception and Interpretation of Video Game Character Behavior and Emotion. IEEE Transactions on Computational Intelligence and AI in Games (T-CIAIG), 9:4, December, 2017, p333-341. [Link]
R. Zhao and D. Szafron.
Using Cyclic Scheduling to Generate Believable Behavior in Games. Proceedings of the Tenth AAAI Conference on Artificial Intelligence and Interactive Digital Entertainment (AIIDE-14), Raleigh, North Carolina, USA, October, 2014, p94-101. [Link] Acceptance Rate: 26%.
R. Zhao and D. Szafron.
Virtual Character Behavior Architecture using Cyclic Scheduling. Proceedings of the 9th International Conference on the Foundations of Digital Games (FDG 2014), Fort Lauderdale, Florida, USA, April, 2014. [Link]
K. Schenk, A. Lari, M. Church, E. Graves, J. Duncan, R. Miller, N. Desai, R. Zhao, D. Szafron, M. Carbonaro, J. Schaeffer.
ScriptEase II: Platform Independent Story Creation Using High-Level Patterns. Proceedings of the Ninth AAAI Conference on Artificial Intelligence and Interactive Digital Entertainment (AIIDE-13), Boston, USA, October, 2013, p170-176. [Video Introduction] [GitHub] [Link]
R. Zhao and D. Szafron.
Generating Believable Virtual Characters Using Behavior Capture and Hidden Markov Models. Advances in Computer Games (ACG 2011), Lecture Notes in Computer Science, vol. 7168, p342-353, 2012, Springer. [Link]
A. Sharifi, R. Zhao, and D. Szafron.
Learning Companion Behaviors Using Reinforcement Learning in Games. Proceedings of the Sixth AAAI Conference on Artificial Intelligence and Interactive Digital Entertainment (AIIDE-10), Stanford, USA, October, 2010, p69-75. [Link] Acceptance Rate: 29%.
R. Gibson, N. Desai, and R. Zhao.
An Automated Technique for Drafting Territories in the Board Game Risk. Proceedings of the Sixth AAAI Conference on Artificial Intelligence and Interactive Digital Entertainment (AIIDE-10), Stanford, USA, October, 2010, p15-20. [Link] Acceptance Rate: 29%.
R. Zhao and D. Szafron.
Learning Character Behaviors using Agent Modeling in Games. Proceedings of the Fifth AAAI Conference on Artificial Intelligence and Interactive Digital Entertainment (AIIDE-09), Stanford, USA, October, 2009, p179-185. [Link]

AI and Natural Language Generation

M. Elzohbi and R. Zhao.
Poems to Lyrics: Automated Rephrasing with Beat Alignment. Proceedings of 16th International Conference on Computational Creativity (ICCC), Campinas, Brazil, June, 2025. [Link] Acceptance Rate: 39%.
M. Elzohbi and R. Zhao.
Poems, Pulses and Polygons: How Classical Arabic Poetry Resonates with Music and Geometry. Proceedings of the 6th International Conference on Artificial Intelligence in Computational Linguistics (ACLing 2024), Dubai, UAE, September, 2024. [Link]
M. Elzohbi and R. Zhao.
Let the Poem Hit the Rhythm: Using a Byte-Based Transformer for Beat-Aligned Poetry Generation. Proceedings of 15th International Conference on Computational Creativity (ICCC), Jönköping, Sweden, June, 2024. [Link] Acceptance Rate: 44.4%.
M. Elzohbi and R. Zhao.
ContrastWSD: Enhancing Metaphor Detection with Word Sense Disambiguation Following the Metaphor Identification Procedure. Proceedings of the 2024 Joint International Conference on Computational Linguistics, Language Resources and Evaluation (LREC-COLING), Turin, Italy, May, 2024. [Link] [BibTeX] Acceptance Rate: 44.8%.
M. Elzohbi and R. Zhao.
Creative Data Generation: A Review Focusing on Text and Poetry. Proceedings of 14th International Conference on Computational Creativity (ICCC), Waterloo, Canada, June, 2023, p29-38. [Link] [BibTeX] Acceptance Rate: 36%.
L. Xia, R. Zhao, Y. Wu, X. Tong.
Intentional Control of Type I Error over Unconscious Data Distortion: a Neyman-Pearson Approach to Text Classification. Journal of the American Statistical Association (JASA). 116:533, 2021, p68-81. Online publication: March, 2020. [Python Repo] [GitHub] [Link]

Other Research

A. Kotsiou, E. Juriasingani, M. Maromonte, J. Marsh, C. R. Shelton, R. Zhao and L. J. Elliott.
Interdisciplinary Approach to a Coping Skills App: A Case Study. The Journal of Interactive Technology and Pedagogy (JITP). 2021:19. [Link]

Workshop Papers

M.J. Sahebnasi, M. Farrokhimaleki, N. Wang, R. Zhao, F. Maurer.
Exploring the Potential of Generative AI in Prototyping XR Applications. Proceedings of the First Workshop on Prototyping and Developing Real-World Applications for Extended Reality (RealXR), Arenzano, Italy, June, 2024. [Link]
Y. Zhang and R. Zhao.
Enhancing MCTS with Convolutional Autoencoder and Linear Approximator in XCOM-Inspired Environments. Proceedings of the Tenth AIIDE Workshop on Experimental Artificial Intelligence in Games (EXAG), Salt Lake City, Utah, USA, October, 2023. [Link] [BibTeX] Acceptance Rate: 57%.
K. Saadat and R. Zhao.
Exploring Adaptive MCTS with TD Learning in miniXCOM. Proceedings of the Ninth AIIDE Workshop on Experimental Artificial Intelligence in Games (EXAG), Pomona, California, USA, October, 2022. [Link] [BibTeX]

Extended Abstracts

F. Aqlan, R. Zhao, H. Yang, S. Ramakrishnan.
A Virtual Learning Factory for Advanced Manufacturing. Proceedings of the 2020 Winter Simulation Conference, virtual, December, 2020. [Extended abstract]
M. Church, E. Graves, J. Duncan, A. Lari, R. Miller, N. Desai, R. Zhao, M. Carbonaro, J. Schaeffer, N. Sturtevant, D. Szafron.
A Demonstration of ScriptEase II. Proceedings of the Seventh AAAI Conference on Artificial Intelligence and Interactive Digital Entertainment (AIIDE-11), Stanford, USA, October, 2011, p215-216. [Extended abstract]

Preprints

R. Zhu, F. Aqlan, R. Zhao, H. Yang, Y. Li.
Supervised Representation Learning From Problem-Solving Behavior in Virtual Reality Manufacturing Environment Via Long Short-Term Memory. Preprint.

Non-refereed Papers and Presentations

Magazine Articles

F. Aqlan, L. J. Elliott and R. Zhao.
Measuring problem-solving skills with virtual reality. ISE Magazine. Volume 52, Number 2, February, 2020, pages 40-45.

Recent Conference Oral Presentations

M. Schroeder, L. Goegan, R. Zhao, S. Chan, A. Keuben, T. Irtija, J. Tandyo.
Improving the Postsecondary Transition: A Conversation about How Best to Support Neurodiverse Students. Canadian Psychological Association's 86th Annual General Meeting and National Convention, St. John's, Canada, June, 2025.
R. Zhao.
Reinforcement Learning for Online Behavior Adaptation in Games: Still Relevant Today? 20/20 Vision Theme Talk, Twentieth AAAI Conference on Artificial Intelligence and Interactive Digital Entertainment (AIIDE-24), Lexington, USA, November, 2024.
R. Zhao, L. D. Goegan, and M. Schroeder.
An Educational Game Supporting the Transition to Postsecondary for Students with LD/ADHD. Alberta Research Network (ARN) Symposium. Research Branch, Alberta Education. November 23, 2023.
A. Iznurov, K. Mekulu, K. Bello, F. Aqlan, R. Zhao, H. Yang.
AI-driven Virtual Reality for Mental Health Assessment. IISE Annual Conference and Expo, New Orleans, May, 2023.
H. Kim, H. Lee, K. Bello, T. Hartleb, F. Aqlan, R. Zhao, H. Yang.
Modeling and Analysis of Collaborative Problem Solving in Multi-user Virtual Reality Manufacturing Systems. IISE Annual Conference and Expo, New Orleans, May, 2023.
R. Zhu, F. Aqlan, R. Zhao, H. Yang, Y. Li.
Advanced Modeling of Problem-solving Behavior in Virtual Reality Manufacturing Environments. IISE Annual Conference and Expo, Seattle, USA, May, 2022. Best Paper Award in Work Systems and Services Track.
F. Aqlan, R. Zhao, H. Yang, S. Ramakrishnan, H. Eisa.
A Virtual Reality Application for Manufacturing Processes in Learning Factories. IISE Annual Conference and Expo, virtual, May, 2021.
R. Zhu, F. Aqlan, R. Zhao, H. Yang.
A Joint SDT-C&E Model for Quantifying Problem-solving in Sensor-based Virtual Reality Manufacturing Systems. IISE Annual Conference and Expo, virtual, May, 2021. Best Paper Award in Human Factors and Ergonomics Track.
R. Zhao, L. Xia, X. Tong, Y. Wu.
Intentional Control of Type I Error over Unconscious Data Distortion: a Neyman-Pearson Approach to Text Classification. American Statistical Association Joint Statistical Meetings (JSM 2019), Denver, USA, July, 2019.

Recent Conference Poster Presentations

M. Schroeder, L. D. Goegan, R. Zhao, A. Keuben, T. Irtija.
Gearing up for Success: Preparing Students for Postsecondary. National Association of School Psychologists (NASP) Annual Convention, Seattle, WA, USA, February, 2025.
S. Chan, L. D. Goegan, R. Zhao, M. Schroeder, A. Keuben, T. Irtija.
Leveling Up: Developing a Game for Students with ADHD and LD Transitioning from High School to Postsecondary Education. Canadian ADHD Resource Alliance (CADDRA) Annual Conference, Winnipeg, Canada, September, 2024.
L. D. Goegan, M. Schroeder, and R. Zhao.
Gearing up for Success: Incorporating Gamification into an Online Module to Support Students with LD and ADHD transition to Postsecondary Education. Canadian Society for the Study of Education (CSSE) Annual Conference, Montréal, Canada, June, 2024.
C. R. Shelton, H. J. Risser, M. D. Hetzel-Riggin, R. Zhao, A. Morford, T. J. Riley, T. Eichler.
Assessing the child abuse training needs of healthcare professionals: Pilot testing the Computer Simulated Interactive Child Abuse Screening Tool (CSI-CAST). The 52nd Annual Convention of the Association for Behavioral and Cognitive Therapies (ABCT), Washington, D.C., USA, November, 2018.