Nadia Magnenat-Thalmann and Daniel Thalmann have pioneered research into virtual humans over the last 30 years. They have published numerous papers in 3D graphics, animation, and virtual reality, and are co-authors/co-editors of several books, including the recent 3D Multiscale Physiological Human and Crowd Simulation, published by Springer.

Nadia Magnenat-Thalmann's interests are focused on realistic autonomous humanoid robots and medical physiological virtual humans. She is the chair of MIRALab at the University of Geneva. During her career, she has received various awards, including two honorary doctorate (Honoris Causa) degrees (from Leibniz University of Hanover in Germany in 2009 and from the University of Ottawa in 2010). In 2012, she was awarded the prestigious Humboldt Research Award in Germany. She is the editor in chief of the journal Visual Computer and a life member of the Swiss Engineering Academy.

Daniel Thalmann's current research interests include real-time virtual humans in virtual reality, crowd simulation, and 3D interaction. He is currently with the Institute for Media Innovation, Nanyang Technological University in Singapore and is an honorary professor at EPFL, Switzerland. He received an honorary doctorate (Honoris Causa) from Paul-Sabatier University in Toulouse, France, in 2003. He also received the Eurographics Distinguished Career Award in 2010 and the 2012 Canadian Human Computer Communications Society Achievement Award. He is co-editor in chief of the journal Computer Animation and Virtual Worlds.