Vuthea Chheang

Dr. Vuthea Chheang is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Computer Science at San José State University, where he teaches courses including Introduction to Computer Graphics and Data Science Senior Project. Previously, he served as a Postdoctoral Research Staff at Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory and a Postdoctoral Researcher at the University of Delaware.

Education:

• Doctor of Engineering, Department of Simulation and Graphics, Otto-von-Guericke University of Magdeburg, Germany (2018-2022)
• Master of Engineering in Computer Science, Chungbuk National University, South Korea (2016-2018)
• Bachelor of Science in Computer Science and Engineering, Royal University of Phnom Penh, Cambodia (2011-2015)

Dr. Chheang's research focuses on extended reality (XR), human-computer interaction, and visualization. His work specifically targets interaction and visualization techniques, collaborative environments, and the development of XR applications for medical planning and training. His research bridges computer science with practical healthcare applications, creating immersive environments that enhance medical education, surgical planning, and rehabilitation. His work often integrates wearable sensor technology with virtual reality to create comprehensive training and therapeutic systems that respond to user movements and provide real-time feedback.

Analysis of Dr. Chheang's recent publications reveals a strong focus on medical applications of virtual reality, particularly in surgical training, anatomy education, and rehabilitation. His work spans multiple disciplines including computer science, healthcare, and engineering, with a consistent thread of developing collaborative and immersive experiences. Recent trends show increasing integration of generative AI with virtual reality systems, as well as expanding applications in additive manufacturing inspection and wearable sensor integration. His research demonstrates a clear trajectory toward more sophisticated, multi-modal XR systems that address real-world challenges in medicine and engineering.

Scientific Awards:

• 2nd Place -- Computing Research SLAM, Stepping into the Future of Digital Twins with eXtended reality (XR), Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory (2025)
• Best Paper Honorable Mention, Towards Anatomy Education with Generative AI-based Virtual Assistants in Immersive Virtual Reality Environments, IEEE International Conference on Artificial Intelligence & extended and Virtual Reality (AIxVR) (2024)
• Noteworthy Achievement Award, Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory (LLNL) (2024)
• Best Paper Award, Virtual Therapy Exergame for Upper Extremity Rehabilitation Using Smart Wearable Sensors, IEEE/ACM international conference on Connected Health (2023)
• Nominated for Post-doctoral Research Excellence Award, University of Delaware (2023)

Dr. Chheang has been actively involved in research projects spanning multiple institutions including Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory, University of Delaware, and Otto-von-Guericke University. His work has received recognition through several competitive awards and has resulted in numerous peer-reviewed publications in top-tier conferences. While specific grant information isn't detailed in the provided materials, his research trajectory suggests involvement in interdisciplinary projects that likely involve funding from agencies supporting medical technology, computer science, and engineering research. His collaborative approach is evident in his work with medical professionals and engineers across multiple institutions.

Dr. Chheang's research involves collaborations with medical institutions and national laboratories, particularly evident in his work at Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory and with surgical teams. His projects often involve interdisciplinary teams combining computer scientists, medical professionals, and engineers to develop XR applications for surgical planning, medical education, and rehabilitation. The Research Campus STIMULATE at Otto-von-Guericke University appears to have been a significant research environment during his doctoral studies, focusing on simulation and medical applications.