Dr. James Oliver
Dr. James Oliver, Professor of Mechanical Engineering, has been the Director of the Virtual Reality Applications Center since January 2004. He is also the Director of the CyberInnovation Institute and of VRAC’s interdepartmental graduate program in Human Computer Interaction. He received his Ph.D. and M.S. degrees from Michigan State University and a B.S. degree from Union College, New York, all in mechanical engineering.
Research Interests
Dr. Oliver’s current research, teaching, and economic development activities involve a wide array of human computer interaction technologies, encompassing computer graphics, geometric modeling, virtual reality, and collaborative networks for applications in product development and complex system operation. His experience in industry has guided his research and publications. As Senior Director of Product Development for Engineering Animation Inc., he managed an international team to create an Internet-based visual collaboration tool for supply chain integration. He also served as Vice President of Product Development at Cognicity, Inc., a Twin-Cities startup focused on Internet-based entertainment marketing.
Awards & Recognitions
Dr. Oliver is the Associate Editor of the ASME Journal of Computing and Information Science (2005–2008) as well as the Guest Editor of its special issue on Virtual Reality for Product Development in 2004. He has chaired several conferences. He is a Fellow of the American Society of Mechanical Engineers and the recipient of numerous professional and academic awards, including two best paper awards at international conferences; ASME International’s Gustus L. Larson Memorial Award in 1999; and the National Science Foundation’s Young Investigator Award in 1992. Dr. Oliver also holds three U.S. patents.
