Marc Olano

Dr. Marc Olano is an Associate Professor of Computer Science and Electrical Engineering at the University of Maryland, Baltimore County (UMBC). He specializes in real-time 3D graphics, non-graphics applications of graphics hardware, and game development. As director of UMBC’s Game Development Track and 3D photogrammetric scanning facility, he focuses on advancing interactive technologies and environmental monitoring systems like Ecosynth. His research collaborations include work with gaming companies such as Firaxis, Epic Games, and Activision, as well as contributions to virtual reality (VR) applications in healthcare and scientific visualization. Dr. Olano holds a Ph.D. in Computer Science from the University of North Carolina and a B.S. in Electrical Engineering from the University of Illinois.

• Education: Ph.D., Computer Science, UNC (1998); B.S., Electrical Engineering, UIUC (1990).
• Research Interests: Computer graphics, GPU acceleration, VR, game development, and ecological 3D scanning.
• Key Roles: Director of Game Development Track, Editor-in-Chief of the Journal of Computer Graphics Techniques.

Olano’s work bridges academia and industry, emphasizing practical applications like texture compression for games, VR-based rehabilitation systems, and UAV-driven environmental analysis. His research often leverages GPU computing to solve real-world problems, from optimizing rendering algorithms to enabling large-scale ecological data collection through Ecosynth.

Publications span VR systems, subsurface scattering techniques, and GPU algorithms, reflecting his commitment to advancing interactive and computational graphics. His teaching and mentorship in the Game Development Track prepare students for roles in game design, while his lab facilities provide hands-on experience with cutting-edge technologies.