Joseph J. LaViola Jr.View profile
Professor
Joseph J. LaViola Jr. is the Charles N. Millican Professor of Computer Science at the University of Central Florida's Department of Computer Science. He is also affiliated with the Institute for Simulation and Training. His research focuses on 3D user interfaces (3DUI), virtual reality (VR), augmented reality (AR), pen-based computing, human motion estimation, and human-robot interaction. He serves as the director of the Interactive Computing Experiences Research Cluster and has authored influential textbooks like 3D User Interfaces: Theory and Practice . LaViola leads research initiatives in immersive technologies, emphasizing practical applications in gaming, education, and collaborative environments. His work spans gesture interaction design, spatial navigation, and AR/VR system development. He actively mentors students at undergraduate, master's, and Ph.D. levels, encouraging creativity and dedication in research projects. His recent publications explore topics such as redirected walking in VR, dual-camera interactions for smartphone AR, and perceptual studies in immersive environments. He emphasizes bridging academic research with real-world applications, particularly in healthcare, civil engineering, and human-centered systems. LaViola's contributions include advancing gesture recognition techniques, optimizing VR/AR interfaces for accessibility, and fostering interdisciplinary collaboration through his lab and authored tools like AffordIt! and MathPad 2 .












