
Position:
Associate Professor of Virtual & Augmented Reality
Location:
Shenandoah Center for Immersive Learning (SCiL), HLSB Lower Level
Email:
nprestop@su.edu
Educational History:
Ph.D. Information Science – Syracuse University; M.Phil Information Science; M.S. New Media; B.A. Television-Radio-Film Production; B.A. History.
Fields of Expertise:
- Virtual Reality Design
- Game Design (2D, 3D, VR)
- Immersive Storytelling
- Human-Computer Interaction
- UI/UX
- Design Science & Design Research
Professional Highlights:
I’m an Associate Professor of Virtual Reality Design, building and studying VR/XR systems, games, and other immersive systems from a human-computer interaction (HCI) perspective. My research is directed toward the intersection of history, storytelling, and virtual experience design.
I direct SU’s Virtual Reality Design B.A. program and co-Direct the Shenandoah Center for Immersive Learning (SCiL), an educational studio space for VR, AR, and XR design research.
I earned my Ph.D. in Information Science at Syracuse University’s School of Information Studies and hold dual bachelor degrees in film production and history, an M.S. in New Media, as well as an M.Phil. in Information Science.
Before embarking on my academic career, I was an artist, filmmaker, and UI/UX designer in Los Angeles, CA, Clifton Park, NY, and Syracuse, NY. In my free time I enjoy working on various projects in my workshop, creative writing, art, music, and spending time with my family.
Research:
My ongoing design research project, called “Ghosts of the Argonne,” is a collaboration with students and staff in the Shenandoah Center for Immersive Learning (SCiL). We are exploring World War 1 history through the eyes of men who served in future president Harry S. Truman’s Battery D of the 129th Field Artillery and building a virtual reality (VR) version of the famous M1897 “French 75” artillery gun. Ghosts of the Argonne will let learners take on the role of artillerymen of the American Expeditionary Forces (AEF) during the night of September 26, 1918 during the opening barrage of the Meuse-Argonne offensive that led to the climactic end of World War 1.
Learn more:
https://imperialsolutions.com/
https://www.su.edu/blog/2022/
Recommended Link(s):