AOL Fellowship at HCIL
AMERICA ONLINE ANNOUNCES TECHNOLOGY FELLOWSHIP AT UNIVERSITY OF MARYLAND
New AOL Fellowship Awarded for Study of Human-Computer Interaction
Dulles, VA -- January 2001 -- America Online Inc., the world's leading interactive services company, today announced the first recipient of its University of Maryland fellowship for the study of human-computer interaction. Doctoral student Harry S. Hochheiser, whose research interests include information visualization of Internet log data, computer-system usability, and the social impact of computers, has been awarded the $35,000 fellowship by America Online.
The fellowship unites research in a number of departments at the University, including the College of Computer, Mathematical, and Physical Sciences; Department of Computer Science; Human-Computer Interaction Lab (HCIL); the Institute for Advanced Computer Studies, and the Institute for Systems Research. The university's graduate program in computer science is ranked #11 in the nation by U.S. News and World Report, and the HCIL is among the leading human-computer interaction groups in the country.
The fellowship is also the first step in an initiative by AOL to support leading-edge technological research at the University of Maryland and other leading universities.
"We believe we've only begun to scratch the surface of the benefits the computer and the interactive medium can bring to society and that it can be integrated even more deeply into people's lives" said AOL Technologies President Ray Oglethorpe. "This research will help us take the medium to the next level of accessibility, usability and value in ways we can now only begin to imagine."
AOL Fellow Matthew Koll said, "AOL's hallmark user-friendly technology is the primary reason our 26 million members have been able to make the online medium an integral part of their daily lives. We are continuing to look for ways to improve upon this technology and bring additional benefits to our members. Developing an ongoing relationship with one of the country's preeminent computer science programs is a natural and important step in that direction."
University of Maryland Professor Ben Shneiderman, founding director (1983-2000) of Maryland's Human-Computer Interaction Lab, said, "By supporting this emerging topic, it is clear that America Online recognizes the importance of human-computer interaction as a vital research area. I look forward to a long-term relationship that will result in significant benefits for AOL and the University of Maryland."
Before studying at Maryland, Hochheiser attended the Massachusetts Institute of Technology where he earned a Master of Science and a Bachelor of Science in Computer Science. He serves on the national board of Computer Professionals for Social Responsibility.
About America Online, Inc. Founded in 1985, America Online, Inc., based in Dulles, Virginia, is the world's leader in interactive services, Web brands, Internet technologies, and e-commerce services.
