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$2 million over five years

Extended Reality Research and Application (EXTRRA)

Awakening the potential of AR/VR technology.

Revolutionizing AR/VR Technology

EXTRRA explores frontier technologies like virtual reality, augmented reality, and immersive platforms by seamlessly integrating optics, computing, neuroscience, and education. Its mission is to revolutionize learning, accessibility, and workforce training through interaction with both digital and tangible environments.

With adaptive simulations and user-centric design, EXTRRA seeks to enhance learning across diverse audiences, improve accessibility through immersive technologies, and prepare future professionals with cutting-edge training tools.

Focus Areas

Research and initiatives at EXTRRA focus on:

  • Tackling critical challenges like visual comfort, image fidelity, wide fields of view, and eye-tracking ergonomics
  • Scaling innovations through high-performance, lightweight wearables
  • Serving the University as a support hub via Studio X and the Health Lab, offering resources and expertise that enable AR/VR research and applications
  • Building a collaborative ecosystem through events like the AR/VR Symposium
Fostering AR/VR Innovation

Impact

EXTRRA strengthens Rochester’s research and educational infrastructure by enabling seamless collaboration across engineering, optics, neuroscience, and human-centered design. It sets the stage for groundbreaking advances in wearable AR/VR, smart interfaces, and immersive pedagogy, propelling Rochester toward global recognition in extended reality innovation.

More about EXTRRA

Leads

EXTRRA has team members from brain and cognitive science, optics, electrical and computer engineering, neuroscience, and history.

Nick Vamivakas

Marie C. Wilson and Joseph C. Wilson Professor of Optical Physics, Hajim School of Engineering & Applied Sciences; Professor of Physics, School of Arts & Sciences

Duje Tadin

Professor, Brain & Cognitive Sciences, School of Arts & Sciences; Professor, Neuroscience, Ophthalmology, School of Medicine and Dentistry; Co-Director of Training, Center for Visual Science

Meaghan Moody

Director, Mary Ann Mavrinac Studio X, River Campus Libraries

Jannick Rolland

Brian J. Thompson Professor of Optical Engineering; Professor, Biomedical Engineering, Center for Visual Science, Hajim School of Engineering & Applied Sciences; Director, NSF/IUCRC: Center for Freeform Optics; Director, R.E. Hopkins Center for Optical Design and Engineering

Susana Marcos

Nicholas George Endowed Professor in Optics, Hajim School of Engineering & Applied Sciences; Professor, Ophthalmology, School of Medicine and Dentistry; David R. Williams Director, Center for Visual Science

Mujdat Cetin

Robin and Tim Wentworth Director, Goergen Institute for Data Science and Artificial Intelligence; Professor, Electrical and Computer Engineering, Computer Science, Hajim School of Engineering & Applied Sciences

Darren Lipomi

Professor and Chair, Department of Chemical and Sustainability Engineering, Hajim School of Engineering & Applied Sciences

Benjamin Suarez-Jimenez

Associate Professor, Neuroscience, School of Medicine and Dentistry; Associate Professor, Psychology, School of Arts & Sciences; Associate Professor, Center for Visual Science

Mike Jarvis

Professor, History, School of Arts & Sciences; Director of the Digital Elmina Project; Director of Smiths Island Archaeology Project

Michele Rucci

Professor, Brain & Cognitive Sciences, School of Arts & Sciences; Professor, Center for Visual Science