Virtual Reality and Augmented Reality
The Molecular Informatics Core (MIC) staff began collaborating with the University of Rhode Island’s (URI) Information Technology Services (ITS) Student Technology Assistants program, to develop virtual reality, augmented reality, and mixed reality (VR, AR, MR) applications for use in URI’s curriculum. The groups began collaborating in 2018 to develop VR apps for STEM education, particularly in the area of pharmaceutical sciences. Some applications were developed as part of the Enhanced Virtual Education, RESearch, and Training (EVEREST) Pilot Awards. Unless stated otherwise, apps were developed in Unity for HTC Vive-style VR headsets. Mobile apps were developed exclusively for Android devices. The repository for the VR, AR, and MR applications is at GitHub.
Summer 2023 Update
For the past several years, the RI-INBRE MIC/URI ITS Innovative Learning Technologies group and faculty in the College of Pharmacy (COP) developed VR and AR apps for use in the COP. The value of VR became clear during the COVID lockdowns as the VR equipment allowed us to conduct virtual training in topics such as structural biology. We have recently published a manuscript on the apps and they are available from our GitHub. Dr. Hemme and Roy Bergstrom from ILT will be presenting the apps at the EDUCAUSE conference in October 2023.
- Publication: Developing virtual and augmented reality applications for science, technology, engineering and math education. Biotechniques. July 2023. PMID37291856.
- GitHub App Depository: RI-INBRE Mixed Reality VR/AR/MR applications
Dr. Jie Shen (ECD, EVEREST) developed two apps for training in methods to produce nanoparticles and liposomes for drug delivery. Dr. Shen and Ryan Ivone (’21-22 EVEREST, ’18 Bridge, ’17 SURF) volunteered with Dr. Christopher Hemme (MIC Director) at the 2022 Rhode Island National Guard STEM Exploration Open House for high school students where her two apps were demonstrated in addition to other technology.
A third AR app, currently in development with Elizabeth Leibovitz, studies plants in the Heber W. Youngken Jr. Medicinal Garden, at the University of Rhode Island’s College of Pharmacy, where mobile devices scan signs that provide various plant information.
Future plans include developing more sophisticated apps for the University of Rhode Island and RI-INBRE network institutions.
