Michael Villano

Michael Villano is an Assistant Research Professor in the Department of Psychology at the University of Notre Dame and Co-Director of the Virtual Reality Laboratory. He provides comprehensive research computing consultative services across the software development life cycle while collaborating with faculty and students to integrate advanced technologies into research environments.

His educational background includes:

• Ph.D. in Experimental Psychology from New York University
• M.A. in Experimental Psychology from New York University
• B.A. in Psychology with Certificate in Computer Applications (CAPP) from the University of Notre Dame

Dr. Villano's research integrates Virtual Reality, Human-Robot Interaction, and Human-Computer Interaction to address complex social and health issues. His work develops 3D simulations for moral dilemma analysis, business strategy applications, and therapeutic interventions, with current projects examining drone pilot decision-making and personal space dynamics in human-robot interactions.

His publication portfolio demonstrates interdisciplinary innovation across business strategy simulations, social media addiction research, drone ethics, robot anthropomorphism, and inclusive robotics education. These works consistently bridge cognitive science, computer engineering, and organizational behavior with strong emphasis on ethical frameworks and human-centered design principles.

No scientific awards were documented in the source material.

Dr. Villano actively mentors graduate and undergraduate research assistants in software development and experimental design while facilitating cross-departmental technology integration. His grant-supported work manifests through the Virtual Reality Laboratory's infrastructure and collaborative projects.

The Virtual Reality Laboratory under his co-direction has produced specialized environments including a building atrium for acrophobia therapy, shopping mall for prospective memory research, and virtual boardroom for corporate strategy studies, establishing it as a multidisciplinary research hub.