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Naja A. Mack, Ph.D.
Assistant Professor of Computer Science · Morgan State University

Naja A. Mack, Ph.D.

My research bridges human-computer interaction and artificial intelligence, with a focus on conversational AI, virtual reality, game-based learning, and brain-computer interfaces. I design and evaluate human-centered technologies that adapt to people's needs, enhance learning, support health, and broaden participation in computing.

I direct the Human-AI eXperience (HAX) Lab at Morgan State University and serve as Education and Outreach Advisor and Faculty Researcher for the Center for Equitable AI and Machine Learning Systems (CEAMLS).

Portrait of Dr. Naja A. Mack
$1.8Min funded research and sponsored initiatives
27publications
58student researchers trained
2,100+K–12 students reached through outreach

Featured Research

Human-Centered AI

ICon History

A conversational AI tutor that lets learners talk with historical figures. Version 1.0 was co-designed with children; 2.0 adds underrepresented figures, AI conversations, rooms, and mini-games.

In development · Published at IDC 2019
Immersive Interfaces

Collision Course

An immersive virtual reality football experience for concussion education. Players take the field in first-person gameplay, encounter simulated concussion symptoms, and get feedback on their decisions.

In development · Paper in preparation
Human-Centered AI

MathWiz

A conversational AI tutor for culturally relevant, personalized math learning. MathWiz uses learner modeling and adaptive feedback to respond to each learner and connect math to their lives. It was co-designed with learners.

In development · Published at CHI 2025
See selected research projects
Beyond the lab

Research in Action

My research extends into computing education, experiential learning, and community engagement through initiatives I lead.

All initiatives & outreach
Small round robots on a soccer-field mat with numbered targets, steered by children using tablets
Founder & Director · since 2023

CodeBears

Hands-on AI, coding, and robotics for K–12 learners, taught by Morgan State students.

160+K–12 campers
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A team member fitting a brain-computer interface headset on a seated racer while spectators look on
Organizer · November 2025

HBCU Brain Drone Race

The inaugural HBCU Brain Drone Race, where racers flew drones using only their brainwaves.

200+attendees
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SAIRI participants working intently on laptops along a long table
Founder & Program Director · 2023 – 2026

Summer AI Research Institute

Undergraduate teams tackle real-world AI problems with graduate and faculty mentors.

192undergraduate placements
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Selected publications

  1. Revolutionizing culturally relevant math education through AI and co-designing strategies
    Mack, N. A., Tandjong, C. W., Adeleke, M. B., Ballou, E., Harry, A., & Panton, J. · CHI 2025 Late-Breaking Work (Extended Abstracts)
  2. Inclusive gaming through brain-computer interfaces: The Mind Mastery experience
    Odunze, O., Ballou, E., Kanu, A., Kelly, A., Void, E., & Mack, N. A. · AHFE 2025, Human-Computer Interaction & Emerging Technologies
  3. Breaking stereotypes and feeding the STEM pipeline
    Mack, N. A., Adeleke, M. B., Ballou, E., Davis, D., Ingram, V., & Cox, K. · ACM Technical Symposium on Computer Science Education (SIGCSE), 2024
  4. Dreadphobia: Evaluating the usability of a virtual reality application in support of mental health
    Meekins, S., Ballou, E., & Mack, N. A. · HCI International, 2023
All publications

Recent news

  • 2026Organized Morgan State's inaugural Artificial Intelligence Summit with researchers from Morgan State and the University of Florida.
  • 2026Received the CS Department's Excellence in Student Success Award.
  • 2026Named Morgan State's Instructional Innovator of the Year.
  • 2026Served as Poster Chair for the CEAMLS N-SEA Symposium, featuring 41 research posters.
  • 2026Advised the HAX Lab team that won the PROPEL Center Future of Tech Innovation Challenge and its $35,000 grand prize.
More news from the HAX Lab
Dr. Mack laughing while seated in an auditorium

Bio

Dr. Naja A. Mack is an Assistant Professor of Computer Science at Morgan State University and the founding director of the Human-AI eXperience (HAX) Lab. She serves as Education and Outreach Advisor and Faculty Researcher for Morgan State's Center for Equitable AI and Machine Learning Systems (CEAMLS) and is a Morgan State researcher with the NSF-funded Institute for Trustworthy AI in Law & Society (TRAILS). Her recognitions include Morgan State's 2026 Instructional Innovator of the Year and a 2025 Technical.ly RealLIST Innovators honor. She holds a Ph.D. in Human-Centered Computing from the University of Florida, an M.S. in Computer Science from Clemson University, and a B.S. in Computer Engineering from Claflin University.

Contact

Office
McMechen Hall, Room 623
Department of Computer Science
Morgan State University, Baltimore, MD 21251
Prospective students
Interested in research? See how to join the HAX Lab