How Virtual Worlds Can Help Transform Healthcare: A TESL Lecture on the Clinical Power of Extended Reality

The Technology-Empowered Storytelling Lab will host a lecture by Alejandro Martin Gomez, assistant professor of electrical engineering and computer science and the Institute for Integrative and Innovative Research, from 5 to 6:30 p.m. on Thursday, Feb. 26, at the School of Art's Studio and Design Center. 

His talk, "Photorealistic Synthesis of Real Environments in Extended Reality: Techniques and Applications," will examine how real-world spaces can be digitally reconstructed with high visual and spatial fidelity for use in extended reality (XR) systems.  

Professor Martin Gomez's work helps ensure that extended reality platforms accurately represent physical environments to support clinical training, surgical planning and remote collaboration. He directs the Laboratory for Cognition in Robotics, Telepresence and Extended Reality and co-directs the Laboratory of Biomechanical and Image Guided Surgical Systems.  

Prior to joining the university, he served as an assistant research professor at Johns Hopkins University and earned his doctorate, summa cum laude, from the Technical University of Munich. 

The Technology-Empowered Storytelling Lab's Lecture Series brings together faculty, students and community partners to explore how emerging technologies are reshaping storytelling, research and experiential learning across disciplines. 

Event Details 

• Title: Photorealistic Synthesis of Real Environments in Extended Reality: Techniques and Applications 
• Date: Thursday, Feb. 26 
• Time: 5-6:30 p.m. 
• Location: Studio and Design Center (SDCR 201 - Commons Lobby), 696 W. Praxis Ln. 
• Parking: Attendees are encouraged to use Lot 520 behind the Studio and Design Center. No parking pass is required after 5 p.m. 

About the Technology-Empowered Storytelling Lab: The Technology-Empowered Storytelling Lab, or TESL, at the University of Arkansas School of Art explores how emerging technologies shape the stories we tell and who gets to tell them. TESL connects students, faculty and community partners to experiment with AI, AR/VR and other digital tools that expand creative expression and cultural understanding, advancing inclusive access to storytelling technologies and preserving non-dominant narratives through research, mentorship and collaboration. Follow TESL on Instagram at @tesl.lab to see current projects and upcoming events.