Our Team
Our team consists of Behrend students, faculty, and staff and community/industry partners in the Erie region.
Learn more about who WE ARE below!
VAR Lab by the numbers
As of October 2026. Funding and mentoring totals date to 2018, when Dr. Shelton joined Penn State Behrend; VAR Lab launched in May 2019. Publications are career totals.
Christopher R. Shelton, Ph.D. - Founding Director, VAR Lab
Christopher R. Shelton, Ph.D., is an Associate Professor of Clinical Psychology in the School of Humanities and Social Sciences at Penn State Behrend and the founder and director of VAR Lab: The Emerging Technologies Hub. A licensed clinical psychologist in Pennsylvania, he leads interdisciplinary research and development involving artificial intelligence, immersive technologies, and human behavior.
Working with students, faculty, and external partners, Shelton develops and evaluates technologies for health care, education, workforce training, environmental monitoring, and cultural heritage preservation. His work includes the Liberty Bell digital preservation project, environmental monitoring using aerial imagery, and AI-supported behavioral health applications. He maintains research collaborations across the United States, South Korea, and Brazil.
Shelton has authored or co-authored 23 peer-reviewed publications. He has secured $1.39 million in grants, awards, and gifts, including 38 funded grants totaling $1.19 million. Since joining Penn State Behrend in 2018, he has mentored 122 unique students across 247+ semester-long research roles. His recent honors include the 2026 Provost Award for Excellence in Scholarship and Creative Activity, the Penn State Council of Fellows Faculty Research Award, and the Penn State Behrend Distinguished Award for Excellence in Research. He earned his Ph.D. in Clinical Psychology from the University of Wyoming.
Curriculum vitae: View PDF
Publications: Google Scholar
Professional profile: LinkedIn
Email: cshelton@psu.edu
3D profile
Kyle Chalupczynski, M.B.A. - Faculty Affiliate
Kyle Chalupczynski is a faculty affiliate of the VAR Lab and a Lecturer in Management Information Systems at the Black School of Business. He joined Penn State Behrend in 2018 and became involved with the VAR Lab in Spring 2023 through a curriculum integration with VAR Edu. Marcus Jacobs reached out to him about the available integration opportunities, and together, they designed an engaging ‘Introduction to VR and AR technologies’ experience that perfectly complemented Kyle’s MIS 204: Intro to MIS course. Kyle’s interest in the VAR Lab was sparked by his fascination with the business impact of VR and AR technologies and Marcus’ passion for the field. Kyle has been most involved in the organization through designing curriculum integrations in VAR Edu.
Beyond his work with the VAR Lab, Kyle delves into exploring the impacts of AI and Large Language Models. Born and raised in Erie, PA, he proudly calls it home and shares his living space with a few fish that he cherishes as pets.
LinkedIn Profile: Click Here
Online Portfolio: Click Here
Jon Gunnell, D.Ed. - Staff Affiliate
Meet Dr. Jon Gunnell, our esteemed Staff Affiliate and the Director of the Center for eLearning Initiatives, who has been involved with Penn State since 2019. Jon’s journey with the VAR Lab began in 2021 when he enthusiastically collaborated on presentations and actively spread the word to faculty members. The most thrilling aspect of his involvement in the VAR Lab has been exploring the boundless potential of immersive media in online courses. Jon’s dedication to the Lab’s mission is driven by his passion for discovering innovative ways to incorporate these technologies. Beyond his professional pursuits, Jon nurtures a deep passion for music. Originally hailing from Pittsburgh, PA, he has a delightful St. Bernard / Pitt Bull mix named Lyla, who has become a true companion. A fun fact about Jon is that he holds not just one but two degrees in music technology, showcasing his expertise and unwavering commitment to his craft.
LinkedIn Profile: Click Here
Online Portfolio: Click Here
Hudson Tran - Staff Affiliate
Hudson Tran is a valued Staff Affiliate of the VAR Lab and an accomplished Multimedia Specialist at the Center for eLearning Initiatives. Hudson joined Penn State as a staff member in early 2023, however his journey with the VAR Lab dates back to its inception, when he was one of the pioneering students involved in research while pursuing his undergraduate degree. Hudson’s passion for the VAR Lab is driven by his sheer fascination with the captivating world of Virtual Reality (VR) technology and its potential for enhancing the classroom experience. Within the VAR Lab, Hudson focuses on the VAR Studios unit. When he’s not immersed in the world of VR and multimedia, Hudson’s heart lies in the great outdoors. He is an Erie native.
LinkedIn Profile: Click Here
Online Portfolio: Click Here
Dani McCauley, D.Ed. - Staff Affiliate
Dr. Dani McCauley is a Staff Affiliate of the VAR Lab and an accomplished Instructional Designer at the Center for eLearning Initiatives, Penn State. Her journey with the university began in February 2021, and she joined the VAR Lab team during the Summer of 2021, captivated by Chris and Marcus’ vision to expand the lab and foster faculty participation.
Dani’s excitement for the VAR Lab is ignited by the team’s unwavering commitment to crafting exceptional learning experiences for Behrend’s students. This dedication to providing a high-quality education led her to find her niche within the VAR Edu unit, where she is most involved.
Beyond her involvement in the VAR Lab, Dani’s interests and hobbies revolve around online learning, advocating for rural students in higher education, and engaging in the outdoors through hiking and kayaking. Originating from the picturesque town of Clarion, PA, she takes pride in being a loving dog mom to Bella, her cherished mini-Bernedoodle.
A delightful fun fact about Dani is her profound passion for guiding college students towards success as they embark on the thrilling journey of their next phase in life.
LinkedIn Profile: Click Here
Online Portfolio: Click Here
Jaimen Gallo - Staff Affiliate
Jaimen is a Staff Affiliate of the VAR Lab and an Instructional Developer for the Center for eLearning Initiatives. Since joining Penn State in 2007, he has been overseeing the systems and sites of the Center for eLearning, actively participates in commonwealth campus initiatives, creates multimedia, develops interactive content, applications, and sites for projects and courses. His responsibilities also include collaborating with faculty and staff to identify, design, develop, and implement new features and technologies based on educational needs. Jaimen loves adventure, coaching, and spending time with family and friends.
Breanna McClain - Staff Affiliate
Breanna McClain is a staff affiliate of the VAR Lab and serves as the Marketing and Event Coordinator at the School of Humanities and Social Sciences. She graduated from Penn State Behrend in May 2022 and joined as a staff member in February 2023. As a friend of Marcus, she became acquainted with the organization’s initiatives and was eager to get involved. In May 2023, she formally affiliated herself with the VAR Lab and quickly began working alongside the team.
Breanna is particularly enthusiastic about the cutting-edge technology employed by the VAR Lab, finding the immersive virtual reality experiences to be truly fantastic. In her role as Marketing and Event Coordinator, she plays a crucial part in facilitating the numerous events hosted by the various units within the VAR Lab.
During her leisure time, she enjoys hiking and photography. Originally from Corry, PA, she now resides in Erie, PA. Breanna has a few cats and a beloved dog as her pets. An interesting tidbit about her is that she got accepted into the Master of Professional Studies in Strategic Communications program through Penn State World Campus, which she is pursuing during her free time.
LinkedIn Profile: Click Here
Online Portfolio: Click Here
Pulin Agrawal, Ph.D. - Faculty Affiliate
Pulin Agrawal is an assistant professor of computer science and software engineering at Penn State Behrend, where his work centers on building human-like intelligence in machines. His research spans artificial intelligence, machine learning, computational neuroscience, and cognitive science, including sparse representations for robust AI and cognitive modeling. Before joining Behrend, he was a research engineer at nFlux, developing computer vision technology to support NASA astronauts on deep-space missions. He earned his Ph.D. and M.S. in computer science from the University of Memphis.
Azeemuddin Syed, Ph.D. - Faculty Affiliate
Azeemuddin Syed is an assistant professor of electrical and computer engineering at Penn State Behrend and a senior member of IEEE and Optica. His research covers photonic integrated circuits for quantum communication and optical sensing, RF and photonic biosensors for portable diagnostics, embedded systems for gait analysis, and autonomous drone navigation for 3D documentation of buildings and heritage sites. Syed previously held positions at Southern Illinois University Carbondale, IIT Dharwad, the University of Mississippi, and IIIT Hyderabad, and earned his Ph.D. at Southern Illinois University Carbondale.
Amy Bridger, Ed.D. - Faculty Affiliate
Amy Bridger is assistant dean for innovation and corporate strategy and an associate research professor of higher education strategy at Penn State Behrend. She builds the partnerships that put faculty expertise to work on industry problems and give students hands-on research experience. She established the James R. Meehl Innovation Commons, works across Knowledge Park, and conceived and secured funding for the proposed Center for Manufacturing Competitiveness. She has helped secure more than $20 million in public funding for innovation and regional economic development and has been PI or co-PI on more than $14 million in externally funded projects. She received a 2026 Penn State Faculty Scholar Medal.
Alexander Fisher - Staff Affiliate
A full profile for Alexander Fisher is not yet available.
Kevin Belknap - Faculty Associate
A full profile for Kevin Belknap is not yet available.
Hafez Shurrab, Ph.D. - Faculty Associate
Meet Dr. Hafez Shurrab, our esteemed Faculty Associate! He is an Assistant Professor of Project and Supply Chain Management at Penn State, having joined the university in 2022. Quickly becoming an integral part of the VAR Lab team in October of the same year, Hafez’s journey with the VAR Lab began when he established a VAR committee to represent the Black School of Business, highlighting his dedication to fostering a collaborative environment. What truly enticed Hafez to get involved was the allure of teaching integrations and engaging in research opportunities, which he finds incredibly exciting. Within the organization, Hafez has been actively involved in curriculum development in the VAR Edu unit and conducted valuable research within the VAR Lab unit. Beyond his academic pursuits, Hafez enjoys playing tennis and exploring new places. Originally from Palestine, he has lived in various countries, including the UAE, Turkey, and Sweden. As a pet lover, Hafez had a beloved cat in Sweden, but unfortunately had to leave it behind when he moved to join us at Penn State. Perhaps he will consider welcoming another furry friend into his life someday!
LinkedIn Profile: Click Here
Online Portfolio: Click Here
Jasper Sachsenmeier, MLitt - Faculty Affiliate
As a faculty affiliate of VAR Lab, Jasper seeks to explore and use the pedagogical opportunities offered by Virtual/Augmented Reality technologies to engage students in innovative ways beyond the traditional classroom experience. Jasper is a Lecturer of Composition at Penn State Behrend, who comes from a background in linguistics and literature and specializes in ELL instruction. He teaches a variety of topics, ranging from rhetoric and composition to history and folklore. In his spare time, Jasper enjoys baking, Old Norse sagas, and his pet guinea pigs.
Richard States - Faculty Affiliate
A full profile for Richard States is not yet available.
Antigoni Kotsiou - Community Affiliate
Antigoni was a Behrend graduate student, she hoped to use her research background and clinical experience to do research on the integration of new technologies in psychotherapy and education. Born and raised in Greece, Antigoni earned her bachelor’s degree in psychology at the Aristotle University of Thessaloniki. She fulfilled her dream of coming to the United States when she was accepted into the Applied Clinical Psychology master’s program at Penn State Behrend. Some of her hobbies include taking long walks, reading, baking, and solving jigsaw puzzles.
Marcus Jacobs - Community Affiliate
Marcus is a valued Community Affiliate of the VAR Lab, and he currently serves as the Borough Manager of Wesleyville Borough. He holds dual business degrees in Business Economics and International Business from the prestigious Black School of Business at Penn State Behrend. Marcus’ journey with the VAR Lab began in the summer of 2020, during his junior year of undergraduate studies, when he eagerly took on the role of a project manager to create a virtual tour of the Behrend campus. The VAR Lab’s mission to utilize immersive technologies for enriching learning, research, and engagement deeply resonated with him. Upon completing his undergraduate degree, he decided to continue his involvement with the VAR Lab while pursuing a Master of Project Management degree.
Over the course of more than a year, he served as a Graduate Project Manager and played a pivotal role in establishing the VAR Lab’s Project Management Office. He skillfully designed the framework that streamlined project creation, management, and conclusion within the organization. During his tenure, the VAR Lab expanded its personnel and successfully established strategic units, including VAR Studios and VAR Edu. Marcus remained dedicated to the VAR Lab for a total of three years as a student employee until August 2023 when he assumed the esteemed position of Wesleyville Borough Manager. The experience he gained in the VAR Lab played a significant role in crafting an impressive resume, ultimately making him qualified for this key role in the community.
On a personal note, Marcus hails from Pittsburgh and currently resides in Erie, PA. During his leisure time, he finds joy in hiking, kayaking, and car camping, taking the opportunity to explore various national parks and scenic destinations across the United States. An interesting fact about Marcus is that he has experienced skydiving and white-water rafting. While he would gladly go skydiving again, he gained a profound respect for Mother Nature after navigating class 5 whitewater rapids and prefers to stay on her good side. As a Community Affiliate, Marcus is thrilled to continue advocating for the VAR Lab and providing valuable consultation to support its many exciting initiatives.
LinkedIn Profile: Click Here
Online Portfolio: Click Here
Nicholas Smerker - Commonwealth Affiliate
LinkedIn Profile: Click Here
Online Portfolio: Click Here
Christopher Mamatas - Community Affiliate
Christopher is currently an Undergraduate researcher for VAR and contributes to the app the Landing Place. Christopher is a computer science major and he will be graduating in December of 2023. Christopher got involved in VAR through the app The Landing Place. The Landing Place app needed a programmer to start building the app. He felt like this would be a great opportunity to help a lot of people with his programming knowledge. When Christopher isn’t working on The Landing Place, you can find him going to the movies or possibly gaming.
Bibiana “Bibi” Mayer Steckel - Visiting Scholar
Bibiana Mayer Steckel is a Fulbright Scholar from Brazil and a PhD candidate in Rehabilitation Sciences at UFCSPA. She spent the 2025–26 academic year at Penn State Behrend as a Fulbright scholar hosted by VAR Lab and continues to collaborate with the lab from Brazil. She holds a bachelor’s degree in Occupational Therapy from UFSM/Brazil with mobility at NYIT/USA, post-graduate certificates in Public Health (UERGS/Brazil) and Pediatric Occupational Therapy (UNYLEYA/Brazil), and a master’s degree in Rehabilitation Sciences from UFCSPA.
She is passionate about creating a world where people with disabilities have the same access to healthcare, independence, and opportunities for happiness as everyone else, and she hopes to contribute to this vision through her work. Outside of academics, she loves traveling, trying new foods, shopping, easy hikes, working out, dancing, and binge-watching shows. Her favorite food is sushi, especially all-you-can-eat. She also brought her two cats, Luke and Sky, on their first trip to the U.S.
In Brazil, Bibiana is part of NERV Lab, which maintains an ongoing international partnership with VAR Lab.
Jiheun “Daizy” Hong - Visiting Scholar
Jiheun “Daizy” Hong is a master’s-level researcher in Immersive Media Engineering at Sungkyunkwan University (SKKU), South Korea, and an alumna of the LAMDA Lab under Dr. Hayoung Oh. Hong was a visiting scholar at VAR Lab in Fall 2024, contributing to Otti, an AI-supported VR meditation project, and NicoCall. Hong is first author of a 2025 BMJ Open trial protocol with VAR Lab and a coauthor of the NicoCall full paper accepted to ACM UIST 2026.
Jingyeong “Jin” Park - Visiting Scholar
Jingyeong “Jin” Park is a master’s student in Applied Artificial Intelligence at Sungkyunkwan University (SKKU), South Korea, and a member of the LAMDA Lab under Dr. Hayoung Oh. During a six-week visit to VAR Lab from August 26 to October 6, 2026, Park conducted RDoC- and HiTOP-informed ADHD research. Park is a coauthor of the SHIFT project published at ACM UIST 2025 and of S2R-Merge, a CIKM 2026 main-track paper on efficient LLM multi-agent systems. Park continues to collaborate with VAR Lab remotely from SKKU.
Jumin Seo - Visiting Scholar
Jumin Seo is a master’s student in Immersive Media Engineering at Sungkyunkwan University (SKKU), South Korea, and a member of the LAMDA Lab under Dr. Hayoung Oh. Seo is visiting VAR Lab from late August through early December 2026, working on AI-enabled smart glasses, computer vision, and ADHD applications. Seo is a coauthor of the NicoCall full paper accepted to ACM UIST 2026 and the 2025 SHIFT publication.
Felipe Meirelles Viegas - Visiting Scholar
Felipe Meirelles Viegas is an undergraduate researcher in the NERV Lab (Núcleo de Estudos em Realidade Virtual) at Universidade Federal de Ciências da Saúde de Porto Alegre (UFCSPA), Brazil, directed by Dr. Alcyr Alves de Oliveira Júnior. Viegas visited VAR Lab for six weeks in Fall 2025. At NERV, Viegas contributes to LabVIS, an immersive VR sensory integration intervention, including virtual therapy rooms built in Roblox and OpenSimulator.
Pedro Paulo Coutinho Toribio - Incoming Visiting Scholar
Pedro Paulo Coutinho Toribio is a PhD candidate in Psychology at Universidade Federal do Espírito Santo (UFES), Brazil, and a member of LAFEC (Laboratório de Fenomenologia Experimental e Cognição) under Dr. Mariane Lima de Souza. Toribio is planning a visit to VAR Lab during the 2027–28 academic year to conduct VR-based social-skills research involving autistic children. Toribio coauthored a 2026 Springer book chapter with Dr. de Souza on bodily self-perception and virtual awareness.
Mallory Miller - Graduate Researcher
Amanda Welsbacher, M.A. - Faculty Affiliate
Amanda Welsbacher, M.A., is a lab instructor in biology at Penn State Behrend and a faculty affiliate of VAR Lab. She earned her M.A. in Clinical Psychology from Penn State Behrend in 2026, following dual bachelor’s degrees in biology and psychology from Behrend in 2024. Her master’s thesis, chaired by Dr. Shelton, examined public perceptions and opinions on invasive species in Lake Erie.
As a graduate student, Welsbacher served as VAR Lab’s clinical lab manager and research assistant (2025–2026), supporting student researcher hiring, project oversight, partnerships, and lab events. She was also the study point of contact for Trial B of the Landing Place study, a longitudinal evaluation of a mobile mental health app. Her research spans clinical psychology and biology, including environmental DNA (eDNA) detection of invasive species in Lake Erie with Dr. Matthew Gruwell. She continues to collaborate on research, publications, and dissemination with Dr. Christopher Shelton, Dr. Gruwell, and other biology faculty at Behrend. She plans to pursue a Ph.D., with the goal of becoming a professor and leading her own research lab.
Lakshay Kalra - Undergraduate Researcher
Lakshay Kalra is a junior at Penn State majoring in Computer Science and Mathematics. He loves coding, building things, and has a lifelong passion for Legos. When he’s not creating, you’ll probably find him watching sports.
Morgan Koch - Immersive Administrator, Undergraduate Researcher
Mohammed Albattah - Undergraduate Researcher
Jamie Frantz - Undergraduate Researcher
Ashraf Khairi - Graduate Researcher
Ashraf is a student in the Clinical Psychology MA program at Penn State Behrend. Ashraf joined the VAR Lab in September 2024 and has worked on conducting VR studies, data collection, and has collaborated on building technology for the Bravemind project (i.e. immersive technology). Ashraf’s main research interest is the impact of technology used for mental health applications as an accessible force multiplier for the shortage of mental health practitioners. He is also interested in studying suicide prediction and how digital life impacts mental health. In his free time, Ashraf enjoys lifting weights, watching the NBA, listening to music, and spending time with loved ones.
Chukwubikem Dara - Undergraduate Programmer, Researcher
Chukwubikem is an undergraduate student who is studying Computer Science. Chukwubikem is collaborating on the programming aspect of the Landing Place project with three other students. Chukwubikem enjoys working out, reading, learning new skills, and spending time helping others.
Manasi Patil - Undergraduate Researcher
A full profile for Manasi Patil is not yet available.
Remington Matthew Orange - Graduate Researcher
Remington Matthew Orange is a graduate researcher with VAR Lab, collaborating remotely from Brazil, where he is pursuing graduate study in rehabilitation sciences. He earned his degree in Digital Media, Arts, and Technology (DIGIT) with a minor in Game Development from Penn State Behrend in 2026.
Orange joined VAR Lab in his first year and served as Immersive Administrator from 2022 to 2026, supporting projects in virtual reality, augmented reality, 3D scanning, 3D printing, digital preservation, and interactive media. He was technical lead on the Liberty Bell digital twin project with the National Park Service. His work now focuses on immersive technologies, digital fabrication, and health-focused innovation.
Nikita Redkin - Undergraduate Researcher
A full profile for Nikita Redkin is not yet available.
Victoria Mott - Undergraduate Rover Researcher
Victoria is a Mechanical Engineering major working on the VAR Lab Rover project. She started work at the lab in October, 2023 and was originally interested because of her love of technology and passion for making it more accessible and fun for people to engage with. In her free time, she loves to read science fiction, watch movies, and play her all-time favorite video game, The Last Of Us.
Justin Williams - Undergraduate Researcher
Justin is a driven Computer Science major with a passion for learning more about Virtual Reality in relation to computer science. He got involved with VAR during his freshman year when a teacher recommended he check out the lab during his summer semester. Since then, he’s been an important member of the VAR team, working primarily in the EDU section during the school year, and in the lab during the summer and off-times. When he’s not working, Justin enjoys playing video games with friends and hitting the gym. He’s also a fan of Super Smash Bros and trying out new restaurants with friends.
Maya Alhasan - Undergraduate Researcher
A full profile for Maya Alhasan is not yet available.
Cole Van Ysseldyk - Undergraduate Researcher
A full profile for Cole Van Ysseldyk is not yet available.
Connor Snyder - Undergraduate Researcher
A full profile for Connor Snyder is not yet available.
Nadya Aboudoulaye - Undergraduate Researcher
A full profile for Nadya Aboudoulaye is not yet available.
Makenna Snyder - Graduate Researcher
A full profile for Makenna Snyder is not yet available.
Lauren Cass - Immersive Administrator, Undergraduate Researcher
Tyler Wenzel - Undergraduate Researcher
Tyler is studying Mechanical Engineering at Penn State Behrend with a minor in Operations and Supply Chain Management (SCM). Tyler specializes in additive manufacturing and has experience in industry through 3D printing and metal casting. Outside of work and school, Tyler enjoys woodworking, gaming, and playing bass guitar.
Davis Saynuk - Undergraduate Researcher
Abigail Manelick - Clinical Lab Manager, Graduate Researcher
Abigail is a second-year graduate student in the Clinical Psychology program at Penn State Behrend. Abigail obtained a BA in Psychology with a Trauma Studies Certificate from Penn State Behrend, and would like to become a licensed clinician. She is also involved in Psych Club and Psi Chi on campus. Her research interests include psychopathology/severe mental illness, PTSD, and post-traumatic growth. Abigail enjoys cooking, working out, traveling, and going to concerts. She also enjoys spending time with her cats, Bug and Tater Tot!
Riley Boyd - Graduate Researcher
Roomana Sokeechand - Graduate Researcher
Roomana is a second-year master’s student in the Clinical Psychology program at Behrend. She is from Mauritius Island off the eastern coast of Africa, which is about 9,600 miles away! Roomana says she joined the team at VAR in her first semester because she wanted to be a part of something that is making the world a better place. Roomana is passionate about cooking, swimming, and photography!
Amy Love - Undergraduate Researcher
Amy is an undergraduate Psychology and English student at Behrend. Amy plans to continue to studying and working in mental health settings to provide support in her community. Amy conducts research on language usage and desires to expand upon this topic to other factors like anxiety, stress, or protective factors. In her free time, Amy enjoys reading and going thrifting.
Joseph George - Undergraduate Researcher
Andrew Prouty - Undergraduate Rover Researcher
A full profile for Andrew Prouty is not yet available.
Ryan Grabowski - Undergraduate Researcher
A full profile for Ryan Grabowski is not yet available.
Lyssa Linden - Undergraduate Researcher
Lyssa is an undergraduate Psychology BA student at Penn State Behrend with a certificate in Human Factors. Lyssa assists with UX/UI development for the Landing Place application in the VAR Lab. Lyssa’s interests include sports, animals, and photography.
Daniel Stovall III - Undergraduate Researcher
Daniel is an undergraduate student in the Psychology program at Behrend. Daniel became involved with the VAR Lab due to his interests in Braveheart and discovering psychological applications of virtual reality. Daniel is involved on campus with Psychology Club. He is also the club secretary of Psi Chi. In his free time, Daniel enjoys playing video games and watching movies.
Johnathan Sedlak - Undergraduate Researcher
A full profile for Johnathan Sedlak is not yet available.
Emulen Batzorig - Undergraduate Programmer, Researcher
Emulen is a Computer Engineering student at Behrend who is collaborating with other students to construct the Landing Place application at the VAR Lab. Emulen is from Ashburn, Virginia, and enjoys spending time working out in the gym. Emulen also enjoys playing video games in her free time.
Conrad Cliff - Undergraduate Programmer, Researcher
Conrad is a Computer Science major at Behrend who is collaborating with other students to construct the Landing Place application. Conrad is also involved in graphic design for the Behrend e-sports team. In his free time, Conrad enjoys drawing and doing game development.
Arianna Smith - Graduate Researcher
A full profile for Arianna Smith is not yet available.
Ammar Hattab - Undergraduate Researcher
A full profile for Ammar Hattab is not yet available.
Zach Babb - Graduate Researcher
Zach joined the VAR lab to gain training in clinical research focused on adult ADHD presentations and treatment barriers for individuals with subthreshold symptom presentations and notable functional impairment. He continues to assist in a study examining exposure therapy for PTSD with VR through the Bravemind program, a partnership with Dr. Skip Rizzo and the University of Southern California.
Matthew Szarmach - Undergraduate Content Creator
Matthew is an undergraduate student from Pittsburgh, PA studying Computer Science at Penn State Behrend. He enjoys learning each aspect of his field including Machine Learning, Artificial Intelligence, and Cyber Security. In his free time, he enjoys learning new aspects of programming, video games, reading, hiking, and playing guitar.
Adrienne Pauline - Undergraduate Researcher
Adrienne was one of the first students to help with the creation and the initial work of the lab. Using her experience gained pursuing her Bachelor’s in Psychology she was able to compile literature reviews on virtual reality and help set the direction that the lab would take. Adrienne loves academics and finds that it is what drives her and keeps her motivated. She also has a passion for music and participated in musicals in high school and college. She is attending Edinboro University in fall 2020 pursuing a masters in Social Work.
Alexander Wasden - Undergraduate Researcher
Alex is an undergraduate researcher. He is majoring in Architectural Engineering. Alex will be graduating in 2027. Alex got involved in VAR when he wrote a paper about the potential use cases of VAR technology in the Architecture, Engineering, and Construction industry. Along side this paper, he set up a demonstration for students in the VAR Edu space: a tour of the Sistine Chapel! Shortly after, Marcus, the project manager, reached out and offered him a position. Alex currently still works in VAR Edu. When Alex isn’t working hard in Edu he is usually watch collecting, studying architecture, Cycling, or Reading.
Kelly Cass - Undergraduate Researcher
Kelly is a talented team member in the VAR Edu section. She’s an aspiring educator with a major in Elementary and Early Childhood Education, who got involved with VAR through her sister and has been a dedicated member of the team since March 2022. Outside of her work with VAR, she enjoys hiking with her dogs, singing, playing the piano, baking, and spending time with her family. Discover Kelly’s passion for education and the things she loves!
Hetvi Desai - Undergraduate Researcher
Hetvi is a second-year student in the Applied Clinical Psychology Program at Penn State Behrend. She has a Bachelor of Science in Psychological Sciences from Purdue University. Her research focuses on stress and mental health for minorities. In her free time, Hetvi loves reading, writing, and cooking new foods.
Bobur Rakhmatullaev - Undergraduate Researcher
A full profile for Bobur Rakhmatullaev is not yet available.
Conrad Lloyd - Undergraduate Supporter
A full profile for Conrad Lloyd is not yet available.
Becca Olanrewaju - Undergraduate Researcher
Becca is a Plastics Engineering Technology major and undergraduate researcher starting in Spring 2021. She will be working on projects in the VAR lab involving 3D modeling.
She also took a year long Co-Op during 2020 in Silicon Valley as a Manufacturing Design intern, with project focuses on developing texture standards in plastics, as well as validating and improving material models using flow analysis software and correlating the results with experimental data.
Boluwatife Owodunni - Graduate Researcher
Boluwatife Owodunni is a graduate student in the Applied Clinical Psychology program at Penn State Behrend College. She has a BSc. In Psychology and is interested in working with families, children, and adults.
Shwetha Gottumukkala - Graduate Researcher
A full profile for Shwetha Gottumukkala is not yet available.
Mistie McColm - Undergraduate Project Manager
A full profile for Mistie McColm is not yet available.
Bri Grove - Undergraduate Researcher
A full profile for Bri Grove is not yet available.
Daniel Schreiber - Undergraduate Researcher
Daniel is a passionate member of the VAR Lab, currently majoring in Digital Media, Arts & Technology. He first became involved with the lab in his freshman year during the fall semester of 2022 when a friend who worked on the team reached out to him, knowing his interest in VR. Daniel currently works in the VAR Lab and is excited to contribute his skills and expertise to various projects. In his free time, Daniel enjoys rock carving, learning guitar, and exploring all things VR.
Dante Colorito - Undergraduate Researcher
A full profile for Dante Colorito is not yet available.
Ruchi Kudalkar - Undergraduate Attendant
A full profile for Ruchi Kudalkar is not yet available.
Emily Wargo - Undergraduate Researcher
Emily is our talented Data Visualization Intern in the VAR Lab. She’s an accomplished Marketing major with minors in Management Information Systems and Data Visualization. Emily got involved with VAR through a data visualization internship in another department of Penn State Behrend, and she quickly found her calling in helping the VAR Lab with visualizing their own data. She’s also volunteered her time to help at some events put on by the VAR Lab and was able to communicate with community members the value of having a space where Virtual Reality (VR) and Augmented Reality (AR) can be further explored. Outside of work, Emily enjoys the great outdoors, practicing yoga, and trying new recipes using ingredients from a successful summer garden.
Erica Juriasingani - Undergraduate Researcher
Erica is an undergraduate researcher involved in multiple projects within the lab. She has won multiple grants so she can be paid for her research assistant position over the summer and fall of 2020. Currently, she is undergoing training in 3D content creation (i.e., CAD) and lidar scanning (i.e., FARO) to be able to build prototype 3D models for the Fort LeBoeuf project. In addition to this, she is in charge of running a lab study on SONA and has helped create lab promotional content. In her free time, she likes to read, take pictures and travel. Erica plans on continuing her experience with the VAR Lab through her senior year and wants to go into UX/UI design after she graduates from Behrend.
Felipe Bassi - Undergraduate Researcher
Felipe is a talented Digital Media, Arts & Technology major with minors in Management Information Systems and Data Visualization. He got involved with VAR after seeing a job posting for developers on the DIGIT Canvas platform. Currently, Felipe is an app developer for the upcoming Behrend Immersive Experience App. He joined VAR in October 2022 and has been an invaluable member of the team since then. Outside of work, Felipe enjoys golfing and skiing, depending on the time of the year. He also has a passion for following sports, from Formula 1 to NBA to soccer.
Garrett Stroupe - Remote Pilot & Immersive Creator
Garrett Stroupe is a talented member of our VAR Lab team! Garrett is a Remote Pilot in Command of the Aerial Operations Team and an Immersive Creator under VAR Studios. Currently pursuing a DIGIT Major within the School of Humanities and Social Sciences, he aims to graduate in December 2024. Garrett’s journey with the VAR Lab began in the summer of 2023 when he reached out to express his enthusiasm about their upcoming projects. What drew him in was the VAR Lab’s focus on three key areas: Immersive Solutions for Industry, Digital Wellness Solutions, and Aerial Operations.
Within the VAR Lab, Garrett is actively involved in the VAR Studios unit, primarily focusing on the Mobile Operations and Aerial Operations Studios. This exciting role allows him to thrive in a dynamic environment that combines creativity, technical expertise, and collaboration.
Beyond his work, Garrett nurtures a creative hobby of continuously growing and developing his 3D modeling and texturing skills. As an enthusiast of digital art and virtual environments, he takes joy in crafting intricate three-dimensional assets and bringing them to life with textures and materials. Born and raised in Erie, PA, Garrett is also a proud pet owner of two adorable dogs, Dexter and Blaze.
LinkedIn Profile: Click Here
Online Portfolio: Click Here
Heather Vommoro - Undergraduate Researcher
Heather was another one of the original student members of the lab that helped run lab startup tasks. She helped showcase the capabilities and future plans of the lab to faculty and admin on tours of the lab. She also helped troubleshoot hardware and equipment issues along with researching articles on forensic use of VR/AR that helped evaluate it usefulness to the lab. Heather Graduated in 2020 with a degree in Psychology.
Husain Kapadia - Undergraduate Researcher
A full profile for Husain Kapadia is not yet available.
Jacob Ognibene - Undergraduate Researcher
During his time at the lab, Jacob helped look for potential programs to use for 3D content creation. These programs have a variety of applications within the lab such as recreating historical locations to be viewed in VR. Jacob’s future plans are to either go directly into the workforce with a career in usability or go to graduate school for human-computer interactions or usability.
Cedric Nowatzyk - Undergraduate Researcher
A full profile for Cedric Nowatzyk is not yet available.
Joe Houck - Undergraduate Researcher
A full profile for Joe Houck is not yet available.
Jasmine Lewis - Undergraduate Researcher
Jasmine is a 7th semester senior in the psychology department at Behrend. She is pursuing a Bachelor of Arts degree, with certificates in both Trauma Studies and Behavioral Health and Psychological Counseling, with plans to attend Behrend’s Applied Clinical Psychology master’s degree program. She has assisted in the research labs under Dr. Dawood, Dr. Hetzel- Riggen, and now Dr. Shelton. Jasmine is currently enrolled in the Advanced Research Methods course where she is conducting her own research study with a team of classmates. Outside of academia, Jasmine works part time during the school year and enjoys hobbies such as Goju Ryu karate, singing, and spending time with her family and fur baby, Delaney.
Jonathan Robert Phillips - Undergraduate Researcher
A full profile for Jonathan Robert Phillips is not yet available.
Kaelyn Randall - Undergraduate Researcher
Kaelyn was one of the early members of the lab. She helped with, researching articles related to the use of VR/AR in education, lab startup tasks, STEAM Fair, and lab promotional content. In her free time, she liked to travel, hike, and read books. Her future plans are to earn her master’s degree in clinical counseling.
Kaylee Larson - Undergraduate Researcher
Lerato Rametse - Graduate Researcher
Lerato is a graduate student in the Applied Clinical Psychology Program at Penn State Behrend. Originally from South Africa, Lerato has a BA in Psychology and a BA in Political Science from Michigan State University. Her research focus is in affordable and accessible mental health interventions. Her goal is to use her research to advocate for more mental health interventions in the international development sector,
She enjoys hiking, reading, watching reality TV. Lerato is a self-taught baker and has mastered brownies, citrus cakes, cheesecakes and cupcakes, next stop macarons.
Marina Bystryy - Undergraduate Researcher
Marina’s involvement in the lab was beneficial to the early stages of the lab as she helped with lab startup tasks. She also helped with literature reviews on VR/AR material related to mental health that would help shape the direction the lab would take in terms of research. When the Annual Penn State Behrend STEAM fair came around she was there to help as well. Marina likes to travel and to do nails in her free time. Her future plans are to gain experience in Erie by working in a Psychology-related career. Once she has the experience she wants to move out of state and go back to school for a master’s in criminology or criminalistics.
Jackson Currier - Undergraduate Attendant
A full profile for Jackson Currier is not yet available.
Matt Rockage - Undergraduate Researcher
Matt is an undergraduate researcher and he is majoring in ECT (electrical and computer engineering) He got started in VAR through his experience with CAD, Unreal, Rapid prototyping and his work with industry. Matt mainly works in the VAR Lab and VAR Studio, he is also an intern at Innovation commons. Matt has contributed quite a bit to VAR, he helped in the creation of XRcast as well as Matchbox Studios. Currently he has been working on creating virtual environments in Unreal. When Matt isn’t busy writing code you can find him in the outdoors biking, kayaking, camping, and dirt biking.
Ryan Scott - Undergraduate Researcher
Ryan Scott is a talented MIS student with a passion for technology, design, and the outdoors. When he’s not busy working with Partnership Erie or developing custom websites for VAR, Ryan can be found playing a round of tennis, exploring the local waterways by kayak, or unleashing his creativity through graphic design. He also loves spending time with friends and family, whether it’s through a friendly game night or a weekend camping trip. Discover Ryan’s unique blend of technical skills, artistic flair, and adventurous spirit!
Salvatore DeSena - Undergraduate Researcher
Salvatore is an undergraduate finance major who is also taking additional classes in video game design and games industry history. He got involved with VAR through a growing interest in the fields of human-computer interaction and a lifelong interest in digital media, such as video editing and the video game industry. Sal currently works in the VAR Lab and VAR Edu. He will graduate in May 2025. When Sal isn’t at the lab making videos, you can find him weightlifting, playing video games, outdoor cycling, and investing in ETFs.
Sam Deeter - Undergraduate Researcher
Sam Deeter was an undergraduate researcher at VAR Lab while majoring in Digital Media, Arts, and Technology (DIGIT), with an interest in game design.
Sanjana Karnik - Graduate Researcher
Sanjana Karnik is a senior graduate student in the Applied Clinical Psychology program at Penn State Behrend. She completed her BA (Bachelor of Arts) in psychology from Jai Hind College, Mumbai, India. Sanjana is primarily interested in accessible and effective mental health services and interventions for the emerging adulthood population. she wants to do her bit in spreading mental health awareness and normalizing the concept of seeking professional help. She hopes to assist the team with planning, coordinating, reviewing, and editing content for the Landing Place.
Haley Altadonna - Undergraduate Researcher
A full profile for Haley Altadonna is not yet available.
Sebastian Ortiz - Undergraduate Researcher
Sebastian is a talented DIGIT major with a minor in Game Development who will be graduating in May 2023. He got involved with VAR because it seemed fun and interesting to him. Currently, he works in the VAR Edu section. Sebastian’s hobbies include playing games and building model kits.
Sophia Diplacido - Undergraduate Researcher
A full profile for Sophia Diplacido is not yet available.
Yi Zheng - Undergraduate Researcher
A full profile for Yi Zheng is not yet available.
Chris Cleaver II - Undergraduate Researcher
A full profile for Chris Cleaver II is not yet available.
Bryan Weisberg - Undergraduate Researcher
A full profile for Bryan Weisberg is not yet available.
Isabella Lauber - Undergraduate Researcher
A full profile for Isabella Lauber is not yet available.
Theresa Robinson - Undergraduate Researcher
A full profile for Theresa Robinson is not yet available.
Michael Crane - Undergraduate Researcher
A full profile for Michael Crane is not yet available.
Ashley Millard - Undergraduate Researcher
A full profile for Ashley Millard is not yet available.
Hayden Miskow - Undergraduate Researcher
A full profile for Hayden Miskow is not yet available.
Hunter Kellar - Undergraduate Researcher
A full profile for Hunter Kellar is not yet available.
Olena Omelchenko - Undergraduate Researcher
A full profile for Olena Omelchenko is not yet available.
Katelyn Conroe - Undergraduate Researcher
A full profile for Katelyn Conroe is not yet available.
Mitchell Frasca - Undergraduate Researcher
A full profile for Mitchell Frasca is not yet available.
Chadwick Kypta - Undergraduate Researcher
A full profile for Chadwick Kypta is not yet available.
Thomas Hemminger - Undergraduate Researcher
A full profile for Thomas Hemminger is not yet available.
Zachery Morgan - Undergraduate Researcher
A full profile for Zachery Morgan is not yet available.
Mason Nolan - Undergraduate Researcher
A full profile for Mason Nolan is not yet available.
Caleb McDowell - Undergraduate Researcher
A full profile for Caleb McDowell is not yet available.
Josephina Yang - Undergraduate Researcher
A full profile for Josephina Yang is not yet available.
Jayden Rice - Undergraduate Researcher
A full profile for Jayden Rice is not yet available.
Lillian Camp - Undergraduate Researcher
A full profile for Lillian Camp is not yet available.
Parker Doubet - Undergraduate Researcher
A full profile for Parker Doubet is not yet available.
Yuba Neupane - Undergraduate Researcher
A full profile for Yuba Neupane is not yet available.
Ghana Chuwan - Undergraduate Researcher
A full profile for Ghana Chuwan is not yet available.
Mateen Shaik - Undergraduate Researcher
A full profile for Mateen Shaik is not yet available.
Ram Gandikota - Undergraduate Researcher
A full profile for Ram Gandikota is not yet available.
Ziek Moreno - Undergraduate Researcher
A full profile for Ziek Moreno is not yet available.
Landon Grafton - Undergraduate Researcher
A full profile for Landon Grafton is not yet available.
Joseph Mancino - Undergraduate Researcher
A full profile for Joseph Mancino is not yet available.
Ekaterina Popova - Undergraduate Researcher
A full profile for Ekaterina Popova is not yet available.
Abrar Shakik - Undergraduate Researcher
A full profile for Abrar Shakik is not yet available.
Valentina Aguirre - Undergraduate Researcher
A full profile for Valentina Aguirre is not yet available.
Akshaya Ganji - Undergraduate Researcher
A full profile for Akshaya Ganji is not yet available.
Omar Almutairi - Undergraduate Researcher
A full profile for Omar Almutairi is not yet available.
Ben Neeley - Undergraduate Researcher
A full profile for Ben Neeley is not yet available.
Hailey DiSanto - Graduate Researcher
A full profile for Hailey DiSanto is not yet available.
Lindsay Albright - Graduate Researcher
A full profile for Lindsay Albright is not yet available.
Ripley Kindervater - Undergraduate Researcher
A full profile for Ripley Kindervater is not yet available.
Karrie Bowen, M.A. - Faculty Affiliate
Allosaur Skull by VAR Lab on Sketchfab
Karrie Bowen earned a master of arts in communication studies from Edinboro University in 2002, and a bachelor of arts in speech and communication studies from Edinboro University in 1997. She joined the lab in spring of 2020 to help advise on public relations strategies and general promotion of the lab. She hopes to see the integration of VR technology into classrooms to enhance the learning experience.
Faculty and Staff Affiliates
International Faculty Collaborators
Hayoung Oh, Ph.D.
Associate Professor, LAMDA Lab Director
Sungkyunkwan University (SKKU), South Korea
Alcyr Alves de Oliveira Júnior, Ph.D.
Professor, NERV Lab Director
Universidade Federal de Ciências da Saúde de Porto Alegre (UFCSPA), Brazil
Mariane Lima de Souza, Ph.D.
Full Professor, LAFEC Director
Universidade Federal do Espírito Santo (UFES), Brazil
Community Affiliates
International Visiting Scholars
Bibiana “Bibi” Mayer Steckel
Visiting Scholar
Universidade Federal de Ciências da Saúde de Porto Alegre (UFCSPA), Brazil
Pedro Paulo Coutinho Toribio
Incoming Visiting Scholar
Universidade Federal do Espírito Santo (UFES), Brazil
Felipe Meirelles Viegas
Visiting Scholar
Universidade Federal de Ciências da Saúde de Porto Alegre (UFCSPA), Brazil
