Michal Ponder

Michal Ponder received PhD from VRlab, Swiss Federal Institute of Technology (EPFL) following research on the Component-Based Development (CBD) methodology for engineering of large-scale Virtual and Augmented Reality systems, featuring integration of advanced real-time virtual human simulation technologies. Prior, he obtained B.Sc. (Hons) in Physics from Brunel University (London, UK), M.Sc. (Hons) in Applied Physics from Warsaw University of Technology (Poland), and postgraduate diploma in communication systems from Section Systemes de Communication (SSC) of EPFL. His main research interests focus on the complexity curbing, real-time software architectures, design patterns and development frameworks supporting interactive digital storytelling systems and featuring integration of advanced, heterogeneous VR/AR and virtual character simulation technologies. Apart from the software engineering aspects related to the modern VR/AR systems and Game Engines his interests concentrate as well on the overall emergent game industry value chain of methodologies and technologies that support production process from the conceptualization phase, through the subsequent design, resource management, content and software development until testing, shipment, service provision and mainenance. Finally the cultural, social and economic impact of the new emerging mass medium of interactive digital entertainment are in the orbit of his active professional interests. He is one of the lead designers and developers of the VHD++ Development Framework. He is the architect of VHD++ overall architecture and the operational kernel. Michal Ponder, Component-Based Methodology and Development Framework for Virtual and Augmented Reality Systems, PhD Thesis No 3046, EPFL 2004  http://vrlab.epfl.ch/Publications/theses/M_Ponder_Thesis.pdf