Research Portfolio

Interactive Cross-Reality (iXR) Lab Overview

Founded at NJIT, the iXR Lab blends immersive display technologies, tracking systems, and domain-specific applications to pursue cross-modal XR experiences.

Our key thematic areas:

Simulation Systems: The lab deploys driving and flight simulation platforms, immersive displays, body/gaze tracking, and examines how display/input modality choices affect performance, attention, and simulator-induced experiences.
Gaze- and Body-Contingent Interfaces: Building on earlier work in gaze-contingent display adaptation, we investigate real-time tracking (gaze, head, body) to adapt immersive interfaces for accessibility, performance, training, and health applications.
Large-Scale Data & Knowledge Immersion: The VROOM project enables immersive navigation/manipulation of large biomedical knowledge graphs (thousands of nodes) in VR, exploring how spatial displacement and embodiment influence recall and understanding.
XR Education & Professional Training: We develop XR modules for chemistry learning, matrix transformations, VR forensic-investigation scenes, and broader training contexts for professionals and students alike.

Across all these threads, the iXR Lab marries technical development (XR hardware/software) with rigorous experimental design (quantitative + qualitative methods) and domain-focused application (education, simulation, professional training).

Research Impact

My work in immersive technologies and human-computer interaction is increasingly recognized, as reflected by my citation record and publication trajectory:

Over 185 citations in Scopus and more than 320 citations in Google Scholar — demonstrating a growing and relevant research footprint.
Recent publications (2021-2025) in high-visibility venues — including novel work on XR for emergency-services training, immersive visualisation of large knowledge graphs, and VR/AR for education and professional simulation.
These numbers highlight strong upward momentum, and several mid- and long-term projects are underway that align with high-growth and high-impact areas of XR, visualization, and training simulation.

Ongoing Projects & Collaborations

I continue to lead and participate in global collaborations, pushing the envelope in XR research and its applied uses. Selected active directions include:

Emergency & Professional Training via XR: A recent systematic review (2025) on XR technologies for emergency medical service training explores how VR/AR/MR systems can scale and improve readiness for high-stakes scenarios.
Education & Immersive Interfaces: Work from 2021–2024 includes immersive learning experiments such as a VR/AR module for matrix transformations and chemistry learning environments. These investigations emphasize learner engagement and retention via immersive tools.
Knowledge Visualization in VR: The Virtual Reality Ontology Object Manipulation (VROOM) project (2022/2023) demonstrates how large biomedical ontologies can be represented and manipulated in 3-D immersive space
Simulation & Human Factors in Driving/Locomotion: Research (e.g., Motahari & Vinnikov, 2022) evaluates input and display modalities in driving simulators, focusing on immersion, physical/cognitive load and simulator sickness.
Collaborative & Institutional Network: My past role at the National Research Council of Canada (NRC) and current work at New Jersey Institute of Technology (NJIT) support a robust international network in XR research.

Pipeline of Student-led & Interdisciplinary Work: Capstone teams at the iXR Lab and interdisciplinary collaborations continue to fuel translation from prototyping to applied systems.

Notable Projects and Initiatives

VROOM

Exploring biomedical ontologies in 3D virtual spaces for intuitive interaction and navigation, aiming to revolutionize medical knowledge utilization.

Hidden Histories

Analyzing sacred space perception through spatial diffusion studies and virtual reality, leveraging gaze tracking technologies.

Education in Extended Reality

Employing XR to enhance educational tools and methods, particularly for students overcoming language and cultural barriers or affected by remote learning challenges.

Driving Simulator Research

Using simulators to understand driving behavior focuses on the interplay between human attention, locomotion, and technology-induced experiences like simulator sickness.

Forensic Science Project (ForensicXR)

Developing XR applications for crime scene processing, offering repeatable and consistent training and educational experiences in forensic investigation.

Past
Accomplishments

From gratifying mission planning in AR to eye-tracking frameworks in VR, my lab has collaborated across disciplines to create impactful solutions and publish influential research.

Future Research Directions

Continuing to innovate in XR technologies, I'm committed to creating hyper-realistic virtual worlds for applications in healthcare, education, and beyond. Interdisciplinary collaboration and the ethical use of XR technology remain paramount as we explore new sensory dimensions and cross-reality experiences.

Let's Work Together

I welcome opportunities for collaboration, student supervision, and industry partnership. Whether you are a fellow researcher exploring immersive tech, a student seeking a project in XR/VR/AR, or an industry professional interested in simulation/training systems, please feel free to reach out to explore synergies and contribute to this exciting field.

Contact Me