Scott Gilliland’s winding path led to breakthroughs in wearable tech that solve challenges for people with Parkinson’s and help us understand dolphin communication.

A research team in the Atlantic Ocean listens to dolphins, testing technology that may one day decode their communication system. Thousands of miles away, a Parkinson’s patient may speak more clearly, thanks to a device that helps them overcome speech challenges caused by the condition. One sounds like science fiction; the other is a transformative medical breakthrough. Yet both are rooted in the same field of research: ubiquitous computing.

Scott Gilliland, a senior research scientist at Georgia Tech’s Institute for People and Technology (IPaT), has played a key role in developing these technologies. IPaT connects researchers across disciplines to turn innovative ideas into practical applications. It’s a natural fit for Gilliland, whose work blends human-centered design with embedded systems, which are small computers built into everyday devices to perform specific tasks.

As a researcher, he often partners with colleagues in the College of Computing, where he also earned his bachelor’s and master’s degrees. His work in ubiquitous computing and wearable systems is quietly reshaping how we interact with the world.

“Ubiquitous computing” refers to technology that is embedded in everyday objects and environments — for example, clothing. It makes computing power accessible without being intrusive. Gilliland’s projects span different fields of study that aim for the same goal: real-world benefit through innovative, human-centered technology.

Learn more about research scientist Scott Gilliland >