The DVXR Lab is dedicated to creating advanced visualization solutions for diverse and complex data sets within a collaborative, interdisciplinary, and highly interactive research environment. Our work integrates data science, human–computer interaction, and immersive technologies to enhance how people understand and engage with information. We explore the full spectrum of eXtended Reality (XR) technologies including Augmented Reality (AR), Mixed Reality (MR), and Virtual Reality (VR) to design innovative methods and tools for data exploration. Our research focuses on enabling users to analyze, visualize, and interact with large-scale, dynamic, and often uncertain data originating from a wide range of scientific, engineering, and social domains. 
Sharad Sharma
Dr. Sharad Sharma, Director of the DVXR Lab
DVXR Lab with guests

Goal & Mission

The DVXR Lab has the goal of carrying out research into advanced data interactive visualization by developing innovative, impactful research and applications in VR, AR, MR by establishing collaborations with industry partners and academia. A key objective of the lab is to equip students with hands-on experience in eXtended Reality (XR) technologies covering both hardware and software and to enable them to apply this knowledge in diverse domains such as education, gaming, and training applications. Our research integrates and explores methods from human–computer interaction, social sciences, scientific and information visualization, computer animation, and machine learning, bridging these disciplines to create more effective, intuitive, and engaging ways to understand and interact with complex data.
Our mission is to advance knowledge and innovation through the integration of immersive technologies, artificial intelligence, and data-driven methodologies. We develop XR-based simulations, digital twins, interactive analytics, and intelligent virtual agents to enhance education, professional training, and healthcare outcomes. Through interdisciplinary research and human centered design, we strive to create transformative solutions that address complex real-world challenges & contribute to the future of learning and discovery. We study human behavior during emergency evacuations and active shooter events. We strongly believe in testing our research with practice and actively seek collaboration with industry.


RESEARCH AREAS IN DVXR LAB


RESEARCH HIGHLIGHTS

Air Balloons
Digital Twin (DT): navigation & campus safety preparedness
We are using Digital Twins (DT) to improve how complex environments such as indoor navigation, manufacturing, campus safety, fire evacuation, and health analytics are managed and understood.
Air Balloons
Virtual Reality (VR): fire evacuation using DT & BCI
Our Virtual Reality (VR) research includes integrating digital-twin models and brain–computer interfaces to develop active-shooter and fire-evacuation training modules that improve emergency-response performance and decision-making.
Air Balloons
Health Informatics (HI): VR-based AI mental health care
Our Health Informatics (HI) research is centered on applying VR/AR and BCI technologies combined with yoga-based exercises and mindfulness strategies to advance mental health care and rehabilitation
AR assistant
Augmented Reality (AR): spatial analysis & situational awareness
Our augmented reality research focuses on developing Mobile Augmented Reality Applications (MARA) & HoloLens-based solutions for enhanced spatial analysis and visual communication to strengthen emergency response and improve situational awareness.
active shooter
Active Shooter Response Module: immersive & non-immersive VR
Our research employs immersive and non-immersive Active Shooter Response Modules for civilians and security personnel, with user studies conducted in a collaborative virtual environment (CVE) of a campus building.
tutor
Virtual AI Tutor using Generative AI
Our generative-AI research focuses on the development of an intelligent, interactive AI tutor that integrates advanced language modeling capabilities from ChatGPT and supports advanced interactive features, including lip synchronization and natural hand movements.

Contact Us

Director of the Data Visualization and eXtended Reality (DVXR) Lab
Associate Dean of Research
Sinha Endowed Professor in the Department of Data Sciencelogo