Regis Kopper

Dr. Regis Kopper is an Assistant Professor of Computer Science at Iowa State University, leading the Interactive Realities Laboratory (IRLab). He holds a PhD from Virginia Tech and prior faculty positions at UNC Greensboro and Duke University. His research focuses on Extended Reality (XR) interfaces, user experience (UX), and immersive systems for healthcare, public safety, and training. Notable contributions include modular AR interfaces for first responders, VR surgery guidance tools, and studies on visual search patterns in medical diagnostics.

Education: PhD in Computer Science (Virginia Tech, 2011); MS & BA in Computer Science (Pontifical University of Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil, 2006 & 2004).

Research Interests: Design of 3D UIs, VR/AR applications in healthcare, and reducing VR discomfort. Key achievements include Best Paper Awards at IEEE 3DUI and the IEEE VR Grand Prize. Current projects aim to democratize healthcare access via immersive tech.

• Grants: NSF, NIH, NIST, DoD, FLAD-Portugal, FAPESP
• Awards: IEEE 3DUI Best Paper, FLAD Fellowship
• Labs: Interactive Realities Lab (IRLab), Duke immersive Virtual Environment (DiVE)

Recent work explores equitable healthcare solutions through XR, including virtual colonoscopy viewers and nutrition education programs.