Member Profile: Maria Zelenskaya
1. What do you do, and how long have you been doing it?
I am a researcher and lecturer at the Queensland University of Technology. I have a professional background in multimedia design and user experience, and I have been teaching animation since 2019. I am also the president of the SIGGRAPH Brisbane chapter since 2024.
I currently specialise in motion capture and interactive avatars. My work focuses on inclusive technology and digital humans, blending research and practice to create more engaging and inclusive digital experiences.
2. What was your first job?
My first job was as a junior graphic designer at a printing house in Russia when I was 18 and a university freshman. Later, I worked as a web designer, user experience designer, motion designer and animator before transitioning to academia.
3. Where did you complete your formal education?
I completed my PhD at Griffith University in Brisbane. My doctoral research focused on codesigning and animating digital humans. I also graduated with a Bachelor of Animation (Honours) from Griffith and an Advanced Diploma of Screen and Media from the Academy of Interactive Entertainment Canberra before that. Both experiences were really fun and fostered my love for animation and games.
4. How did you first get involved with ACM SIGGRAPH?
My first SIGGRAPH was in 2019 when I was a student at Griffith University. I was invited to work at the Vicon Booth in the exhibition hall, which was great fun. I made sure to attend as many talks and demonstrations as I could, and I loved every moment of it. Since then, I have remained actively involved in SIGGRAPH and took the initiative to organise our local professional chapter in Brisbane.
5. What is your favorite memory of a SIGGRAPH conference?
One of my favourite moments was at my first SIGGRAPH Asia conference dinner, where I had the chance to chat with incredibly smart and talented academics from around the world. Hearing about their work was fascinating, and it played a major role in inspiring me to pursue a PhD.
6. Describe a project that you would like to share with the ACM SIGGRAPH community.
My current project, Auslan Assist, focuses on developing an automated system for generating public service announcements in Australian Sign Language (Auslan) using a digital avatar. I work with a multidisciplinary team at Queensland University of Technology in partnership with Sydney Trains, and our goal is to enhance the safety and independence of deaf people in public spaces across Australia.
7. If you could have dinner with one living or non-living person, who would it be and why?
I would love to have dinner with Dr Mike Seymour. His research on digital humans was a huge inspiration for my PhD, and I am a big fan of his work.
I would also love to meet Alexei Navalny, who is no longer alive, unfortunately. His courage and unwavering commitment to advocating for justice and democracy were incredibly inspiring. I deeply admire his resilience and the sacrifices he made in the pursuit of truth and accountability.
8. What is something most people don’t know about you?
Most people don’t know that I originally studied for a degree in computer science but had to drop out in my final year to move to Australia. I am also an avid gamer, and I previously worked as a mentor at a technology club for autistic children, where we built beautiful worlds in Minecraft and created animated films together.
9. From which single individual have you learned the most in your life? What did they teach you?
I have learned the most from my father, who is also a researcher and is still actively contributing to science in his 70s. He taught me curiosity about the world and the importance of critical thinking, which have been invaluable throughout my professional journey.
I have also learned a great deal from my mentor and PhD supervisor, Dr Louise Harvey, who introduced me to motion capture and has been a guiding force in my academic career.
10. Is there someone in particular who has influenced your decision to work with ACM SIGGRAPH?
I met several amazing people who were involved in SIGGRAPH and made it look both exciting and rewarding, including June Kim, Tomasz Bednarz, Mashhuda Glencross, and others. I am especially grateful to Mashhuda for her invaluable advice and for joining me in leading the SIGGRAPH Brisbane chapter.
11. What can you point to in your career as your proudest moment?
Some of my proudest moments have been mentoring students and seeing their projects come to life. Helping them develop their skills and confidence and watching them go on to achieve success in the industry is incredibly rewarding.
Additionally, my work in the sign language technologies space has been both fascinating and deeply fulfilling. It has also brought some recognition, from winning the Best Emerging Technologies Demo award at SIGGRAPH Asia 2023 to securing funding for our Auslan Assist project after winning the Excolo Pitching competition. Seeing these projects gain traction and support has been an incredible milestone, reinforcing the importance of inclusive technology and its potential to make a real-world impact.