Research Overview
I am a Professor in the Department of Computer Science at the University of Minnesota Duluth (UMD). I teach a variety of classes on computer science and conduct research activities with both undergraduate and graduate students. My research interests focus on a combination of developing simulation codes and effective interaction related to environment simulation and learning environments. I have been specifically interested in exploring effective use of virtual, augmented or mixed reality environments for education and learning. I also work on software related to large-scale simulation of urban micro-climates to investigate the impact of the built environment on wind flow, pollution dispersion and energy use. I have worked on projects related to visual perception in virtual environments investigating how humans perceive and interact with simulated 3D worlds.
Current Projects
Tarrytown - Learning in Immersive Virtual Environments
This interdisciplinary project spans Computer Science, Communications and the Digital Arts working with PIs Edward Downs and Betsy Hunt. working with students from CS, Communication and the Arts to develop an interactive, virtual environment in which to ​investigate aspects of learning. The goal of this project is to create stimulus material that can be used to experimentally test learning in VR, as well as to create an interactive VR experience for students and members of the community to enjoy. The multidisciplinary nature of this project showcases how art, social science, computer science, and digital production can work synergistically to advance what we know about learning in VREs. This initial investment puts out concentric rings that will be of direct benefit for faculty, students and community members for years to come. We will judge this portion of the project lifecycle to be successful with the completion of a professionally produced, fully-functioning immersive VR software build.
Past Projects
GEnUSiS - Urban Environmental Simulation
Simulating complex interactions between urban cities and environmental aspects of pollution dispersion and energy use, while developing immersive and interactive decision support systems for communicating simulation results.
Visualization
TPAWT Integration Project
Developing a stereo-projection virtual environment at UMD that integrates with the University of Utah's TPAWT (TreadPort Active Wind Tunnel) to explore locomotion and haptic terrain rendering with a robotic shoe device.
Environment
Mobile Language Learning Group (MLLG)
Interdisciplinary collaboration bringing together computer science students, foreign language students, and graphic design students to develop language learning applications.
Interface
Student Opportunities
I encourage computer science students to take on interdisciplinary projects across our campus. If you're interested in joining these teams, please contact me!