Student and a faculty member working together working in a lab with computers and a virtual reality headset. Student wearing a virtual reality headset and working with a faculty member.

Immersion Lab

Welcome to the Immersion Lab

The Immersion Lab at the University at Albany conducts innovative interdisciplinary research spanning robotics, haptic systems, human-computer interaction, extended reality platforms and artificial intelligence. Our work advances technological solutions across healthcare, education and entertainment to revolutionize how we understand and interact with the world around us in novel ways.

Our Mission

We're committed to utilizing immersive technologies to advance innovation in healthcare, education and entertainment.

Healthcare
Transform healthcare by developing advanced technologies for training medical professionals, simulating surgical procedures and delivering therapeutic experiences that enhance patient outcomes and treatment options.

Education
Inspire and educate the next generation of researchers and engineers by making learning engaging and accessible. We develop mixed-reality laboratories and educational tools that bring complex scientific concepts to life, fostering curiosity and a deeper understanding of STEM subjects.

Entertainment
Create immersive and interactive experiences that captivate audiences. From virtual concerts and theater performances to engaging AR/VR games, we transform how people experience and enjoy entertainment, making it more personalized and engaging. 
 

Join Our Team

We're always looking for talented individuals to join our mission. If you're passionate about the work we do, you're welcome to explore career opportunities with us. For more information, please contact us at [email protected] and [email protected]. 

Contact the Immersion Laboratory
ETEC Building
ETEC 0173

1220 Washington Avenue
Albany, NY 12203
United States

Email
[email protected]

Current Projects

 

A tree lined corridor in a hospital.

Lower Limb Rehabilitation

We leverage mixed reality to develop engaging rehabilitation programs that motivate patients and effectively track their progress. Traditional rehabilitation can be repetitive and disengaging, leading to slower recovery. Ongoing progress in mixed reality systems transforms rehab programs into an interactive experience with tasks and balance challenges designed to enhance mobility, coordination and patient engagement.

 

A female student is interacting with a large screen displaying how cell walls interact between intracellular and extracellular fluid.

STEM Education

This project clarifies the role of gestures to enhance STEM learning by advancing innovations in haptic technologies and interactive visualizations. Collaborating with experts in learning sciences, engineering and educational neuroscience from the University of Iowa and the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, we're developing new methods for interacting with biochemistry visualizations using haptic-guided gestures. Wearable haptic devices can simulate the experience of touch, allowing students to engage with concepts that are difficult to perceive using traditional methods. These technologies have the potential to deepen student understanding of STEM mechanisms and phenomena, such as cellular and molecular processes, that are otherwise beyond their sensory capabilities.  

 

A CGI image of a surgery simulator with a patient on a table.

Virtual Surgery Simulations with Haptic Controllers

We're working to transform surgical training through groundbreaking, lifelike simulations that empower surgeons to refine their skills with exquisite precision, ultimately leading to improved patient outcomes. We're currently utilizing a virtual dental simulation as an exemplary surgical setup. In the environment, the trainee is guided through the process via haptic feedback to have an immersive and engaging surgical experience.

 

A schema of a person walking across the street at a green light, showing how a sensor detects pedestrians.

Smart Assistive Devices

We're pioneering innovative solutions to enhance the lives of individuals with disabilities through the development of intelligent assistive technologies. Our current focus is on the visually impaired—addressing the unique challenges they face in daily life, particularly in navigation and environmental interaction. By integrating haptic feedback and vision-based systems, our research creates intuitive tools that empower users to better perceive and engage with their surroundings. Through these transformative technologies, we enable greater independence and accessibility.

 

Schema of various devices like laptops and wearable haptics enabled devices including virtual reality headsets and headphones.

Bridging the Distance on Digital Platforms

Our research transforms digital communication through innovative AI-integrated devices. We create technology that turns virtual interactions into immersive, engaging experiences to help users feel truly connected—regardless of physical distance.  

 

A schema showing the various devices that use acuators to replicate tactile sensations.

Haptic Actuator Development

Haptic technology offers significant potential for sensory augmentation and replacement, especially in digital and assistive applications. Despite its promise, there remains a critical need for actuators capable of delivering a wide range of tactile sensations—including vibration, pressure and temperature—with high fidelity. Our research is dedicated to designing next-generation haptic actuators that can accurately replicate complex tactile experiences. By developing functional prototypes and integrating them into digital environments, we demonstrate the transformative power of realistic tactile feedback in enhancing user interaction and immersion.

Our Team


Leadership

 

Thenkurussi (Kesh) Kesavadas
Thenkurussi (Kesh) Kesavadas
Vice President for Research & Economic Development
Executive Council
[email protected]
Aishwari Talhan
Aishwari Talhan
Founder and PI of the Immersion Lab; Senior Research Scientist and Affiliated Faculty at ECE and CNSE
College of Nanotechnology, Science, and Engineering; Department of Electrical & Computer Engineering; Division for Research & Economic Development
[email protected]

Researchers

 

Jeremy Varghese

Jeremy Varghese
PhD Candidate
MS, Computer Science, University at Albany, 2025
Jeremy's LinkedIn Profile

Jason Armoo

Jason Armoo
BS Student
ECE, UAlbany
Jason's LinkedIn Profile

Toluwani Alao

Toluwani Alao
Research Assistant: Summer Undergraduate Research Program 2025
ECE, UAlbany
Toluwani's LinkedIn Profile

Neoren Rapisura

Neoren Rapisura
Research Aide: Summer Undergraduate Research Program 2025
ECE, UAlbany
Neoren's LinkedIn Profile

Hit Patel

Hit Patel
MS Student, Volunteer
Master of Science in Electrical and Computer Engineering
Hit's LinkedIn Profile

Alumni

  • Jaleel Khan, Summer Undergraduate Research Program 2025, Research Aide
  • Rohan Patrick, Summer Undergraduate Research Program 2025, Research Aide
  • Ethan Valente, Summer Undergraduate Research Program 2025, Research Aide
  • Hemel Debnath, Summer Undergraduate Research Program 2024, Intern
  • Justin Adam, Summer Undergraduate Research Program 2024, Intern
  • Conor Fryer, Summer Undergraduate Research Program 2024, Intern

Collaborators

We collaborate with a wide range of organizations, institutions and individuals who share our commitment to advancing healthcare, STEM education and immersive technologies. Our partners contribute valuable perspectives, expertise and resources that strengthen our work and help us push the boundaries of what’s possible.

 

Praveen R. Arany

Praveen R. Arany
BDS, MDS, MMSc, PhD
Affiliation: Oral Biology, Surgery & Biomedical Engineering, 
University at Buffalo, Buffalo, NY 14214
Praveen's LinkedIn Profile

Ece Demir-Lira

Ece Demir-Lira
PhD, University of Chicago
Affiliation/s: Department of Psychological and Brain Sciences; Stead Family Department of Pediatrics; DeLTA Center; Iowa Neuroscience Institute; Hawk-IDDRC
Ece's University of Iowa Profile and Ece's LinkedIn Profile

Robb Lindgren

Robb Lindgren
PhD, Learning Sciences and Technology Design, Stanford University, 2009
Affiliation/s: Professor and Associate Dean of Research, College of Education, University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign
Robb's University of Illinois Profile

Matthew Lira

Matthew Lira
PhD, Learning Sciences, University of Illinois at Chicago; BS, Biology, Ball State University
Affiliation/s: University of Iowa, DeLTA Center
Matthew's University of Iowa Profile

Amy Teal

Amy Teale
PhD, Cell and Molecular Biology, Stanford; BS, Biology, Cornell
Affiliation/s: Sunnyview Rehabilitation Hospital/James A. Eddy Research Institute
Amy's LinkedIn Profile

Partner Universities

University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign
Sunnyview Rehabilitation Hospital
University at Buffalo logo

 

University of Iowa logo

News


Noteworthy
 

  • Attention Students: Registration for IECE 497 – Independent Research is now open.
    Are you ready to dive into hands-on research and earn academic credit? IECE 497: Independent Research is now open for registration. Under the guidance of Dr. Talhan, students will engage in meaningful research within the dynamic and supportive environment of the Immersion Lab. Please note: Before registering, students need to schedule a consultation with Dr. Talhan.
     
  • Our research session proposal, "A Mixed Reality Approach to Enhance Lower Limb Functional Recovery Post-stroke Work," has been accepted for the 47th Annual International Conference of the IEEE Engineering in Medicine and Biology Society (EMBC 2025) hosted in Copenhagen, Denmark.

 

A man with short black braids in a light blue shirt holds up a black vest and gestures to a poster as he speaks to a man standing nearby in a purple shirt
Undergrad Research Project Develops Haptics to Assist the Visually Impaired
UAlbany students developed wearable haptic devices that provide navigation assistance to the visually impaired as part of the College of Nanotechnology, Science, and Engineering’s 10-week Summer Undergraduate Research Program.
Jeremy Varghese, a second-year computer science master’s student at the University at Albany.
UAlbany Master's student pioneers virtual reality rehab for stroke patients
A Master's student at the University at Albany is merging his passion for medicine and technology by developing a virtual reality system designed to aid rehabilitation patients. Jeremy Varghese, a computer science master's student, is leading the project, which aims to assist stroke and traumatic brain injury patients in their recovery process.
Jeremy Varghese and Aishwari Talhan conduct research at the Immersion lab.
Showcase 2025: Exploring the Digital Future of Healthcare
Jeremy Varghese, a second-year computer science master’s student, is passionate about advancing the use of immersive technologies in the medical community.
A man sits at desk looking at a computer screen while a woman stands behind him with her arms crossed.
UAlbany Inventors Seek Record Number of Patents
Once reviewed by the U.S. Patent Office, the 46 new applications filed last year could join the 62 U.S. patents issued since 2010 to UAlbany and its division within the Research Foundation, which manages and protects faculty inventions and other intellectual property developed on campus.