Research

Part-time, paid position through Hunter College. (2024)

Title: Investigating the Perceived Realism of the Other User’s Look-Alike Avatars in Mixed Reality

Goal: Study the influence of hair and eye color on viewers' perceived realism of look-alike avatars in mixed reality using a Microsoft Hololens

Contribution: I was the primary developer of the mixed reality study interface.  I used Unity and C# to create an interface that allowed users to cycle through a series of virtual avatars using buttons and hand menus.  I also conducted most of the user studies and drafted the manuscript for publication. 

The team: Oyewole Oyekoya, Kwame Agyemang Baffour

Tools: Unity 3D, C#, Google Forms

Paper in pre-print, read here

Independent research project conducted during the research methods and Max Planck Academy course series at FAU High School: Jupiter Campus in Partnership with Max Planck Academy (2020-22)

Title: Effects of Nest Temperature and Rainfall on Leatherback Sea Turtle Development

Goal: Investigate the effects of nest temperature and moisture levels on leatherback sea turtle sex ratios and hatching success 

Contribution: I was the principal investigator for this project.  I drafted and submitted a grant proposal, gaining $587.00 in funding from FAU.  I also compiled, cleaned, and analyzed datasets containing information about 61 nests from 2019 and 2020 using Excel and SPSS Statistics. 

The team: Alexandra Lolavar, Justin Perrault

Tools: Excel, SPSS Statistics

Presentations: 

• FAU Broward Campus Undergraduate Research Symposium 2021

• Max Planck Florida Institute for Neuroscience Senior Capstone Symposium

• Poster

Unpaid, shadowing opportunity through the NSF-funded REU Site at the University of Minnesota (2021)

Title: Facilitating Transgender Identity Consolidation with Virtual Reality

Goal: Organize the development of a virtual reality application that facilitates gender expression and new body representations for transgender and gender non-conforming individuals to reduce body dysmorphia.

Contribution: As a shadow, I assisted the project team by aiding the design of a qualitative survey to explore potential users' experiences with virtual reality and gender expression and conducting in-depth literature searches to define the research focus.