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Hunter CSCI hosts VR-REU, a new NSF-funded program to broaden participation in computing

This summer's slate of VR-REU participants: Aisha Frampton-Clerk, Amelia Roth, Ari Riggins, Deborah Rudin, Diego Rivera, Mustapha Bouchaqour, Nairoby Pena, Olubusayo Oluwagbamila, Talia Attar, and Zhenchao Xia.

Our department is excited to highlight the VR Research Experience for Undergraduates (VR-REU), a new research program developed and hosted by Hunter College this past summer. The VR-REU is overseen by Hunter CSCI Professor Wole Oyekoya, and funded by a grant from the National Science Foundation (NSF). It enables participating undergraduates to "undertake multidisciplinary research projects in Immersive 3D Visualization and VR/AR/MR", with a focus on "[attracting]... participation of women and underrepresented minorities in STEM and computing fields." This past summer, students worked 1-on-1 with faculty research mentors on data-driven projects: revolving around VR, but in fields ranging from computer science, to film and media, to the social sciences, and more.

Two of our New York City participants – Aisha Frampton-Clerk and Diego Rivera – were also selected for the Last Mile Fellowship to Broaden Computing-Related REU Participation, a $10,000 fellowship that is similarly focused on reducing barriers to participation in formative undergraduate research experiences.

For a more comprehensive overview of the program and its impact, please see the full press release on Professor Oyekoya's website. This summer's participants will present the results of their research on July 29, 2022, at Hunter College; so stay tuned!