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
$2 million over five years
Center for Extended Reality (CXR)
Awakening the potential of AR/VR technology.
Driving the Future of Human-Computer Connection
The Center for Extended Reality (CXR) aims to help shepherd human-computer interaction’s future by combining augmented reality with contextually aware AI to positively assist human-driven endeavors. CXR will bring together academic, industrial, and government institutions to conduct foundational research, engineer technology, educate the future workforce, and develop economic opportunities.
CXR is an interdisciplinary catalyst that will leverage URochester’s deep expertise in optics, neuroscience, medicine, vision, and the humanities, as well as foster new partnerships to push the frontiers of augmented reality.
Pillars
Research and initiatives at CXR focus on:
- Hardware—scientists and engineers will advance the physical components that enable immersive experiences, including augmented reality displays, immersive audio, world sensing, biosensing, haptics, computing, communications, batteries, and packaging.
- Human interface—experts in engineering, computer science, and biology will work collaboratively to address human factors, perception matching, and develop contextually aware, AI-driven interfaces.
- Applications—authorities in education and health and medicine will address the some of the most technically and socially demanding aspects of extended reality.
- Social impact—thought leaders in philosophy, psychology, social sciences, public policy, privacy, security, and political science will address extended reality’s complex ethical and societal implications.
Why It Matters
Extended reality technologies are rapidly transforming how people learn, work, and connect, and have the potential to reshape society. Extended reality’s potential can be realized when humans partner with contextually aware AI to reach new heights in classrooms, clinics, and industries, making complex information easier to see, understand, and experience.
Fostering AR/VR Innovation
A transdisciplinary hub
The University of Rochester’s “Boundless Possibility: 2030 Strategic Plan” champions a bold new model of scholarship—transdisciplinary research, where teams don’t just collaborate—they combine methodologies, perspectives, and fields to reshape what’s possible. CXR emerged after a competitive, two-phase request for proposal (RFP) process beginning with 42 proposals in April 2024 and culminating in June 2025, when four transdisciplinary teams were selected for multi-year support. CXR embodies URochester’s commitment to addressing society’s most complex challenges through ingenuity and connection.
Leads and team
CXR has team members from brain and cognitive science, optics, electrical and computer engineering, neuroscience, and history, and regularly adding more team members from across the University.
Leadership
Barry Silverstein, CXR director
Previously serving as the senior director and chief technology officer of optics and display in Meta’s Reality Labs, Silverstein brings a wealth of experience—including as a URochester optics alum.
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
Meg 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
Michael 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
Partner centers, institutes, and departments
CXR connects an interdisciplinary array of experts across science and engineering, the humanities, medicine, and education. Our members bring expertise from:
Goergen Institute for Data Science and Artificial Intelligence
Del Monte Institute for Neuroscience
Department of Brain and Cognitive Sciences
Leadership
Meet Barry Silverstein, CXR director
Barry Silverstein ’84 is helping lead the future of AR/VR at URochester. Previously serving as the senior director and chief technology officer of optics and display in Meta’s Reality Labs, Silverstein brings a wealth of experience—including as a URochester optics alum.
In the news
Center for Extended Reality Featured on WXXI’s ‘Connections’
From smart glasses to immersive experiences, Barry Silverstein discusses what the future of augmented reality could look like with WXXI’s Connections host Evan Dawson.
Connect with Us
Want to learn more about the work being done at CXR? Interested in getting involved? Send us an email to get started.