• "Humanizing Technology"

     

    Innovating with Human Centered-AI, Spatial Computing, Digital Health, & Collaborative Robotics

  • Current Research Projects

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    $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

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    $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.

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    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.

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    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.

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    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.

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    STEM Outreach Events to Local Students on Collaborative Robotics, Emotional AI , & Spatial Computing in Digital Health

      Contact us to schedule a visit!

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    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.

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  • iPAL Technology Demonstrations

    Early Development - iPAL App

    Our 1st Phase in the development of our App and Augmented Reality for Opioid Use Disorder

    Early Development - Volumetric Video Capture in Virtual and Mixed Reality

    Our 1st Phase in the development of our App and Augmented Reality for Opioid Use Disorder

    Early Development - Delivering Cognitive Behavioral Therapy Volumetric Video Capture

    Delivering Cognitive Behavioral Therapy in Mixed Reality

  • 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.

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    Database Development, Code, & Non-Identifying Data

  • AMELIA Technology Demonstrations

    Using Hololens 2 to Control Co-Robot Remotely

    Interface between human and collaborative robot - early functioning interface.

    Using Mixed Reality, Machine Vision, + Voice Commands to Control Co-Robot

    Computer Vision w/Mixed Reality using Collaborative Robotics

    Collaborative Robotics + AI - Overview

  • Media 1.0

    Virtual Reality for Anxiety, Pain, and Depression During Chemotherapy

    Under a longitudinal study assessing the pain and anxiety management of cancer patients led by Dr. Stanley, associate professor and graduate coordinator, and Dr. Elizabeth Cull, a medical oncologist at Greenville Health Systems, Josh has been testing a new form of chemo patient therapy that allows patients to escape the hospital into a virtual world. We follow the effects VR therapy has on pain, anxiety, and depression

    Biofeedback and Virtual Reality for Pain and Anxiety

    Using "artificial emotional intelligence" to deliver pain and anxiety relief via virtual reality.

    Digital Health Applications

    Using "artificial emotional intelligence" to deliver Cognitive Behavioral Therapy to those with addictions.

    Mixed Reality and Collaborative Robotics

    Using "artificial emotional intelligence" for the future of work with collaborative robots.

  • TEDx Talk

    Transforming Your Mental Health Journey With Immersive Technologies

    Dr. Laura Stanley, professor of engineering, digs into the opioid epidemic and the role of prescribed narcotics in this crisis. She explores the advantages of virtual and mixed reality for anxiety and pain management while discussing the success of the implementation of this technology in treatment plans. Dr. Laura Stanley is a passionate educator and researcher and has a zest for pushing academic boundaries with her technology inspired pursuits. A professor at Montana State University where she studies human-computer interaction, e.g. projects include immersive technologies for pain and anxiety management for children with cancer and mixed reality (e.g., imagine a hologram therapist) coupled with artificial intelligence to aid those with addictions. Inspiring Dr. Stanley is the advancement of minorities in engineering and computer science; believing in the power of STEM to help others. Her research ideas often happen while fly fishing and wandering around Montana’s open spaces. This talk was given at a TEDx event using the TED conference format but independently organized by a local community

  • Student Resources

    Your resource for HCI conducting research...

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    IRB Forms and Process, CITI Training, Logging your Hours Worked in MSU MyInfo

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    Learning Robot Control for Collaborative Robotics

    • https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1aAN_RUTEMOrPIQhwro3Aw7LacoVT1aCe (protected, reach out for access)
    • https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1zTTuPIFM5G4Kmp4ZlClznotyFemwoztW (protected, reach out for access)
    • ROS for Beginners: Basics, Motion, and OpenCV https://www.udemy.com/course/ros-essentials/
    • files for GROS For Beginners: Basics, Motion, and OpenCV - Udemy Course (Kinetic-Melodic ROS Versions) https://github.com/aniskoubaa/ros_essentials_cpp

     

     

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    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!

     

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    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.

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    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. 

    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.

    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

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    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).
  • Interested in working with us?

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    Email laura.stanley at montana.edu