Robert David Dawson

Robert David Dawson, Ph.D., is a Clinical Associate Professor in the Department of Neuropsychiatry & Behavioral Science at the University of South Carolina School of Medicine Columbia. He serves as Co-Director of the South Carolina Center for Assistive Technology and Educational Research (SC-CATER) and Coordinator of the Counseling and Rehabilitation Virtual Reality Lab. His work focuses on enhancing accessibility for persons with disabilities through STEM-focused assistive technology and virtual reality applications in healthcare.

Education:

• Counselor Education, Rehabilitation; Cognate: Computer Instructional Design (The University of Iowa)

Research Interests: Assistive Technology, Complimentary and Alternative Therapies, Disability Studies, Healthcare technology, Virtual Reality, and STEM accessibility. He leads interdisciplinary initiatives to empower individuals with disabilities through technology-driven solutions in education and workforce transition.

Publications: His work spans virtual reality in counselor education, disaster impact analysis, assistive technology education, and digital tools for behavioral science. Recent focus areas include virtual reality applications in healthcare training and accessibility advocacy.

Grants & Lab Activities: Directs SC-CATER and the Virtual Reality Lab, emphasizing STEM accessibility and smart technology integration in healthcare. SC-CATER prioritizes equality, equity, and access for persons with disabilities in education and employment.