Current Research Projects
$1.2M NSF & NIH Smart & Connected Health Grant - An intelligent Pervasive Augmented reaLity therapy (iPAL) for Opioid Use Disorder and Recovery
This project will develop intelligent Pervasive Augmented reaLity therapies (iPAL) - a technology-enabled OUD intervention that aims to help OUD sufferers manage their cravings to reduce their risk for relapse or overdose. iPAL integrates complementary psychotherapies (cognitive behavioral therapy and heart rate variability biofeedback) with immersive technologies (augmented and mixed reality) that will offer convenience, discretion in use, in the moment/real-time through personalized strategies
$1.2M National Science Foundation- Human-Centered Computing Grant - Augmenting Human Cognition with Collaborative Robots AMELIA (AugMEnted Learning InnovAtion)
Augmenting Human Cognition with Collaborative Robots (AMELIA: AugMEnted Learning InnovAtion): Collaborative robotics is a growing application space in robot technology used in manufacturing, mining, construction, and energy industrial settings. This convergence research project will contribute new knowledge and theory of Human-Computer Interaction and Human-Robot Interaction, by augmenting human cognition for safer and more efficient collaborative robot interaction.
Innovating Mental Health Counselor Training using Mixed Reality
This research introduces a Mixed Reality (MR) teaching paradigm to help counselors-in-training address sensitive cultural and identity topics. We aim to develop an MR simulation prototype to improve access for training culturally competent mental health therapists.
$300k NSF EAGER: Personalized Learning using AI + Spatial Computing + Synthetic Actors
This research seeks to advance personalized training strategies in complex collaborative robotic manufacturing assembly tasks. Leveraging an interdisciplinary research framework that integrates cognitive science, manufacturing, immersive technology, human factors engineering, artificial intelligence, and advanced robotics, the research team proposes an innovative, personalized learning paradigm. Contact us to schedule a visit!
Bio-Feedback in XR for Pain and Anxiety Management - Alternative Strategies in Addressing the Opioid Epidemic
Collaboration with Greenville Health System & Southeastern Institute of Manufacturing and Technology. The main contribution of this project is the development of alternative treatment in the form of immersive technology for anxiety and pain that we hypothesize will ultimately lead to better health outcomes.
XR for Pain and Anxiety Management in AYA Cancer Patients
In data reviewed from our first year of clinic, over 50% of all AYA cancer patients expressed a need for counseling services. Anxiety and depression are more commonly experienced by young cancer survivors. While anti-depressants, anti-anxiolytics and pain medications certainly have a role in treating young adults with cancer, risk of side effects and potential for addiction or abuse remain. As a result, a variety of programs and interventions are being explored to treat the pain and anxiety associated with cancer treatments. One such “alternative” treatment for pain and anxiety involves the use of virtual reality (VR). We plan to achieve this goal by RELIEVE (viRtual rEaLity IntErVEntion), a virtual reality cancer care management intervention scheme.
STEM Outreach Events to Local Students on Collaborative Robotics, Emotional AI , & Spatial Computing in Digital Health
Contact us to schedule a visit!
An intelligent Pervasive Augmented reaLity therapy (iPAL) for Opioid Use Disorder and Recovery using Virtual, Mixed, and Augmented Reality
NSF & NIH Smart & Connected Health: $1.2M Grant
The Story of iPAL - Opioid use disorder and addiction are now characterized as a nationwide “opioid epidemic,” with overdoses now the leading cause of injury deaths in the United States. While opioid overdose deaths have increased greatly over the past two decades as compared to other chronic diseases (e.g., heart disease) the development of remote monitoring and management tools and techniques for opioid cravings, recovery, and relapse have not kept pace. This project will develop intelligent Pervasive Augmented reaLity therapies (iPAL) - a technology-enabled OUD intervention that aims to help OUD sufferers manage their cravings to reduce their risk for relapse or overdose. iPAL integrates complementary psychotherapies (cognitive behavioral therapy and heart rate variability biofeedback) with immersive technologies (augmented and mixed reality) that will offer convenience, discretion in use, in the moment/real-time through personalized strategies. This work is poised to revolutionize how individuals learn, discover, create, and heal in the broader context of developing treatment strategies for those with OUD.
Augmenting Human Cognition with Collaborative Robots
AMELIA (AugMEnted Learning InnovAtion usign Mixed Reality and AI)
NSF Cyber-Human Systems: $1.2M Grant
The Story of AMELIA (AMELIA: AugMEnted Learning InnovAtion) - Collaborative robotics is a growing application space in robot technology used in manufacturing, mining, construction, and energy industrial settings. This convergence research project will contribute new knowledge and theory of Human-Computer Interaction and Human-Robot Interaction, by augmenting human cognition for safer and more efficient collaborative robot interaction.
To meet these goals, the team of researchers plans to:
(1) develop a novel HRI task/scenario classification scheme in collaborative robotics environments vulnerable to observable systems failures;
(2) establish fundamental neurophysiological, cognitive, and socio-behavioral capability models (e.g., workload, cognitive load, fatigue/stress, affect, and trust) during these HRI (i.e., the mind motor machine nexus);
(3) use these models to determine when and how a human’s cognitive, social, behavioral and environmental states require adjustment via technology to enhance HRI for efficient and safe work performance; and finally
(4) create an innovative and transformative Work 4.0 architecture (AMELIA: AugMEnted Learning InnovAtion) that includes a layer of augmented reality for human and robots to mutually learn and communicate current states.
Database Development, Code, & Non-Identifying Data
- GitLab Link - Machine Learning + Mental Stress Classification, Mixed Reality Co-Robot Interface, etc -
- Cognitive Workload Database - https://gitlab.com/hilabmsu/cw-database
- Acute Stress Database - https://gitlab.com/hilabmsu/database-vrat
Student Resources
Your resource for HCI conducting research...
OnBoarding, IRB Forms, CITI Training, Logging your Hours Worked in MSU MyInfo
- OnBoarding (READ THIS FIRST)
- Must have your CITI Training prior to any human-based data collection: go here www.citiprogram.org and take this course: Group 1: Social and Behavioral Science Research
- IRB Forms and Process for Conducting Research at Montana State University
- Apply for MSU's IRB (enter Dr. Stanley is PI, " student" is the student PI).
- Example IRB Applications (email Dr. Stanley for access)
- Presentation on how to enter your hours into MSU's MyInfo
Scientific Writing Guidelines
- How to Construct Hypothesis Statements
- How to Summarize Journal Articles
- How to Write Abstracts
- Citation Management Software Guides (Mendeley, EndNote, Zotero)
- APA Style (e.g. formatting for citations, tables, statistics, etc.)
- How to Write Systematic Literature Reviews
HCI Tools and Experimental Design & Analysis
Physiological Data Understanding & Analysis
Dissemination Tools - Research Posters, Presentations, PhD Dissertation Examples
Learning Virtual Reality Development & Volumetric Video, Digital Humans
Learning Robot Control for Collaborative Robotics
- Collection of Resources #1 (protected, reach out for access)
- Collection of Resources #2 (protected, reach out for access)
- ROS for Beginners: Basics, Motion, and OpenCV
- GROS For Beginners: Basics, Motion, and OpenCV - Udemy Course (Kinetic-Melodic ROS Versions)
Research & Publishing Expectations of CS PhD Students
PhD students are generally expected to work 19 hours a week as Graduate Research Assistants (GRA) in the lab, contributing to the lab's goals and helping to advance ongoing projects. This assistantship not only supports their studies financially but also provides valuable hands-on experience that complements their dissertation work. PhD students in Computer Science are expected to demonstrate a high level of self-motivation, discipline, and self initiative throughout their academic journey. As part of their commitment to research excellence, HCI students should aim to publish their work regularly in reputable conferences and journals, with a minimum expectation of publishing at least 1 conference proceedings per year. Publishing serves as both a reflection of their research capabilities and a means to contribute to the broader scientific community. Students are expected to be proactive in seeking out opportunities for collaboration, funding, and professional growth, taking ownership of their research projects and driving them forward with minimal supervision. Please be actively engaged with Dr. Stanley regarding the conferences to which you are interested in submitting your research work. Aim for at least one per year! Begin reading many papers in those venues so you can get a sense of writing style and quality expectations.
See Example List of HCI Related Venues
Please send papers to Dr. Stanley and your co-authors for review no later than 3 weeks prior to venue deadline!
Being Present in the Lab with Others = Community + Support = Mental Health
Being physically present in the lab ensures participation in lab activities and fosters a sense of community. Engaging with their peers, attending lab meetings, and contributing to a collaborative and supportive research environment are crucial for developing both technical expertise and teamwork skills, preparing them for future roles in academia or industry.
1. Collaboration and Peer Interaction: Being in the lab allows students to engage directly with their peers, advisors, and other researchers. Face-to-face interaction fosters collaboration, enables the spontaneous exchange of ideas, and facilitates problem-solving, all of which contribute to building a strong, supportive research community. These interactions are often more effective in person, where non-verbal cues and immediate feedback enhance communication.
2. Access to Resources: Many research labs are equipped with specialized equipment, software, and tools that are essential for conducting experiments and advancing research. Physical presence ensures that students can make full use of these resources, perform experiments, and access data or instruments critical to their work.
3. Building a Research Culture: A vibrant research culture often develops within the lab environment. When students are present, they contribute to and benefit from this culture, which includes shared learning experiences, collective problem-solving, and a sense of belonging to a community of scholars. This environment significantly enhances motivation, creativity, and the overall quality of the research.
4. Skill Development: Hands-on experience in the lab is crucial for developing practical skills essential for many areas of research. Whether it’s handling specific equipment, mastering new techniques, or troubleshooting experimental setups, these skills are best acquired through direct experience in the lab.
5. Mental Health and Well-being: Regular interaction with peers and mentors can reduce feelings of isolation and stress, offering emotional support and fostering a sense of community. This social aspect of lab work can be crucial for maintaining mental well-being during the often-challenging PhD journey.
6. Accountability and Routine: Regular physical presence in the lab helps students establish a routine, maintain discipline, and stay accountable to their research responsibilities. A structured environment enhances productivity and time management, which are critical for successfully completing a PhD.
Key Research Milestones
- https://catalog.montana.edu/graduate/policiestext-degree-requirements/#doctoral_requirements
- https://www.cs.montana.edu/current_students.htm
1. Program of Study:
Timeline: The program of study must be submitted via the Graduate Program of Study process in MyInfo to The Graduate School by the end of the student’s third (3rd) semester of graduate attendance. Please work with Advisor first on class selection (see below on what classes to take) .
2. PhD Committee Formation (4 members, majority from CS):
Timeline: The committee composition must be submitted to The Graduate School by the end of the student’s third (3rd) semester of graduate attendance.
3. PhD Qualifying Exam:
Timeline: The qualifier must be taken within two years of being fully admitted into the Ph.D. program, regardless of the student's course load. The faculty strongly advises that the qualifier be taken at the end of the first year following being fully admitted into the Ph.D. program.
4. Ph.D. Comprehensive Examination
Timeline: The Comprehensive Exam must be taken within four years of being fully admitted to the Ph.D. program, regardless of the student's course load. Typically, this exam will be taken within two years of passing the Qualifying Exam.
5. Ph.D Dissertation and Defense
Timeline: The Defense is expected to be taken within 3 years of passing the Comprehensive exam. The maximum time allowed between the Comprehensive exam and the awarding of the Ph.D. degree is five years. For exceptional students, the dissertation defense may occur as early as two semesters after the Comprehensive exam
What classes should I take for a MS or PhD in HCI (w/Computer Science background)?
See List of Suggested Courses at MSU
For those students coming from CS, I encourage courses at a minimum in:
- Advanced Statistics/Data Science (in Math and State Department),
- UX/User Interface, HCI (CS Department),
- Advanced machine learning/AI, and (CS Department)
- Human factors engineering (in Industrial Engineering Dept).
Example Research Papers
- DEAP: A Database for Emotion Analysis ; Using Physiological Signals
- Emotion Recognition for Everyday Life Using Physiological Signals From Wearables: A Systematic Literature Review
- Virtual reality for pain management in advanced heart failure: A randomized controlled study
- The Effects of Virtual Reality, Augmented Reality, and Mixed Reality as Training Enhancement Methods: A Meta-Analysis
- Understanding Heart Rate Reactions to Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) Among Veterans: A Naturalistic Study
- Touching the Moon: Leveraging Passive Haptics, Embodiment and Presence for Operational Assessments in Virtual Reality
- MSU- Affective State Classification in Virtual Reality Environments Using Electrocardiogram and Respiration Signals
- MSU - A Biofeedback Enhanced Adaptive Virtual Reality Environment for Managing Surgical Pain and Anxiety
- MSU - Sex Parity in Cognitive Fatigue Model Development for Effective Human-Robot Collaboration
Interested in working with us?
Email laura.stanley at montana.edu
