The CESAR lab works on the computational modeling of human behavior, both as a basic research method in the study of human behavior as well as the use of these computational models in a range of education and analysis applications. Current research includes modeling human decision-making, emotions, social interaction and nonverbal behavior at the individual, dyadic and group level.

At the individual level, we are currently working on models of expert decision makers under stress as well as the impact of cognitive heuristics. At the dyadic level, we are modeling the role of theory of mind in Human-Human and Human-AI interactions as well as the role of nonverbal behavior in social interactions. At the group level, we are modeling the impact of social and emotional contagion.

The lab is applying these models to the design of virtual humans, decision aids and social simulations. Specifically, the current research is being applied to craft embodied pedagogical agents in manufacturing, simulate decision-makers in supply chains under shortages, model behavior under adversarial conditions, improve human-robot interaction, and study group response to life threatening situations.