Dr. Paul D. S. Fink has been guided by the idea of following “green lights” since his undergraduate days at the University of Vermont, where he was encouraged to pursue opportunities that align with his passions and strengths. This life changing philosophy shaped Fink’s academic journey and professional career. On Friday, January 10th, he embraced his latest green light, accepting an appointment as Assistant Professor with the College of Computing at Grand Valley State University.

The values that shaped Fink’s career began at home. Everyone in Fink’s family is an educator, emphasizing the importance of advocacy, accessibility, and inclusion for all. This upbringing left a lasting impression. Fink’s passion continued to grow as he was invited to work with his first computing professor and doctorate advisor, Dr. Nicholas Giudice, who is blind. These experiences deepened his commitment to accessibility but also became the green lights that guided him toward a career focused on technology, research, and education.

Building on this foundation, Fink followed his next green light by earning a master’s degree in student development in higher education in 2017 and a doctoral degree in spatial information science and engineering in 2023, both from the University of Maine. His academic journey led him to the Virtual Environment and Multimodal Interaction (VEMI) Lab at the University of Maine, where he explored groundbreaking research in spatial human-centered information, accessibility-focused AI, and autonomous vehicles. 

During his doctoral studies, Fink and a team of researchers participated in the U.S. Department of Transportation’s Inclusive Design Challenge, focusing on innovative solutions for mobility-limiting disabilities. Their groundbreaking work aimed to improve the lives of blind and visually impaired individuals through development of the Autonomous Vehicle Assistant (AVA App). Competing against 50 teams in Stage One of the challenge, Fink’s team was one of only ten to advance to Stage Two, earning a $300,000 award for their efforts. They were then selected as one of the three winning teams in Stage Two, earning an additional $300,000. This project gained national recognition and an invitation to the White House. Fink emphasized the collaborative nature of the initiative, as well as its success in fostering partnerships with industry partners. In addition, Dr. Fink and his team collaborated with Toyota Research Institute to continue advancing research on accessible wayfinding and navigation for individuals with disabilities, laying the foundation for future innovations in this field.

Throughout his time at the University of Maine, Fink became an expert in multisensory information processing and human-centered computing resulted in 12 competitive grant submissions totaling $1.1 million awarded, with an additional $7.5 million in submissions under review currently. 

"We are thrilled to welcome Dr. Fink to our faculty at the College of Computing. His pioneering work in accessible technology and human-computer interaction exemplifies our commitment to innovative research and transformative education,” stated Dean Marouane Kessentini. “Dr. Fink’s remarkable track record of securing external funding and contributing to groundbreaking projects further will drive progress in both academia and industry."

Fink’s dedication to advancing technology for mobility-limiting disabilities and his interdisciplinary approach make him a right fit for the GVSU community. As he steps into this new role, he is eager to build on his expertise and pursue his next green light by founding the Wayfinding, Accessible Interaction, and Virtual Environment (WAIVE) Lab at GVSU beginning in the Fall 2025 semester. This lab will showcase navigation technology designed to support underrepresented communities and demonstrate how virtual environments can enhance related research efforts. Reflecting on this next step, Fink shared, “I was brainstorming how my lab would be positioned to make the most impact here, even before being invited to the interview,” as he recognized GVSU’s College of Computing is the perfect place to establish and lead such a transformative initiative. 

"Dr. Fink's innovative work in inclusive autonomous vehicles and haptic interfaces will elevate the College of Computing's research in this emerging field.  His expertise, passion for his work, and outstanding interpersonal skills will inspire our students in the classroom and the lab,” stated Dr. Jonathan Engelsma, Applied Computing Institute Director. 

Fink’s excitement extends beyond his professional role. He looks forward to future collaborations professionally with his wife, Jessica Fink, as she specializes in communication sciences and disorders. Together with their son, they are eager to become part of the Greater Grand Rapids community and establish roots in Michigan. Looking ahead, Fink remains guided by the “green lights” that have shaped his journey, as he works toward creating a more accessible and inclusive world through technology.

For inquiries about the WAIVE Lab and Dr. Fink's work, please email [email protected].