MIAMI XR 2025: Where Innovation Meets Imagination 2/6+7
UMverse at the University of Miami invites you to dive into the cutting-edge world of XR at Miami XR 2025, Thursday and Friday, February 6+7. Join industry experts, tech visionaries, artists, and university scholars from around the globe to explore the latest trends and innovations in XR technology.
In-person and virtual participation are available—bringing the future to you, wherever you are!
Register Now
$30.00 per person (both days included) • Free for UM Faculty, Staff, and Students. Please email idsc@miami.edu for the PROMO CODE.
Call for Presentations + Proposals
Are you pushing the boundaries of XR innovation? Miami XR 2025 is seeking proposals for presentations, workshops, and discussions that showcase cutting-edge work in the XR field. Whether you’re developing groundbreaking applications, conducting research, or reimagining immersive experiences, we want to hear from you!
If your proposal is accepted, we’ll follow up with all the details you’ll need to prepare for presenting at the event. This is your chance to share insights, inspire others, and connect with a global community of XR enthusiasts.
Submission Deadline: January 31, 2025 | Submit your proposal today and be a part of shaping the future of XR.
Agenda
| Day 1 Thursday 2/6/2025 • Shalala Student Center Complex 1330 Miller Drive, Coral Gables, FL 33146 | Directions + Parking5:00 PM Registrations Opens 5:30 PM Student Welcome Remarks | Mia Uy 5:40 PM Faculty Welcome Remarks | Kim Grinfeder Intro to XR at the U and Lightning Talks Introductions | Thomas Merrick 5:50 PM Lightning Talks 6:10 PM SPEAKER | Daniel O’Brien 6:50-8:00 PM Networking Cocktails at The Rathskeller |
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| Day 2 Friday 2/7/2025 • Newman Alumni Center (Multipurpose ABC) 6200 San Amaro Drive, Coral Gables, FL 33146 | Directions + Parking9:00 AM Registration Opens | BREAKFAST and POSTERS 10:00 AM Welcome Remarks | Mia Uy 10:10 AM Lightning Talks 10:30 AM KEYNOTE SPEAKER: Jeremy Bailenson 11:15 AM Break 11:35 AM PANEL: Jobs in XR | John Cunningham 12:15 PM LUNCH and DEMOS | Bryson Rudolph 1:30 PM Lightning Talks 1:50 PM KEYNOTE SPEAKER: Carolina Cruz Neira 2:35 PM Break 3:00 PM PANEL: Recent Grads in Industry 3:45 PM Closing Remarks | Kim Grinfeder 4:00-5:00 PM Cocktail Reception |
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Keynote Speakers
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Jeremy BailensonFounding Director, Stanford University Virtual Human Interaction Lab Jeremy Bailenson is founding director of Stanford University’s Virtual Human Interaction Lab, Thomas More Storke Professor in the Department of Communication, Professor (by courtesy) of Education, Professor (by courtesy) Program in Symbolic Systems, and a Senior Fellow at the Woods Institute for the Environment. He has served as Director of Graduate Studies in the Department of Communication for over a decade. He earned a B.A. from the University of Michigan in 1994 and a Ph.D. in cognitive psychology from Northwestern University in 1999. He spent four years at the University of California, Santa Barbara as a Post-Doctoral Fellow and then an Assistant Research Professor. Read More |
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Carolina Cruz NeiraAgere Chair in Computer Science, University of Central Florida Carolina Cruz-Neira is a pioneering computer scientist and a leading figure in virtual reality, known for inventing the CAVE Automatic Virtual Environment (CAVE). She currently serves as the Agere Chair Professor in Computer Science at the University of Central Florida, where she co-leads the UCF Digital Twin Strategic Initiative and heads the VARLab. Cruz-Neira’s contributions to real-time visualization, VR frameworks, and immersive technologies have earned her numerous accolades, including membership in the National Academy of Engineering and the XR Hall of Fame. Her work bridges engineering, art, and education, inspiring advancements in virtual environments and interactive applications worldwide. |
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Daniel O’BrienPresident, Americas | HTC VIVE Daniel is a seasoned technology executive with over 24 years of experience in leading and managing the commercialization of emerging technologies, innovations, and solutions for consumers and professional customers. He is the HTC VIVE President for the Americas, overseeing the sales, marketing, product, and operations for the immersive and wireless divisions of HTC. As a humanity mission driven leader, Daniel is focused on delivering revenue growth, brand building, e-commerce strategies, business development, content creation, and strategic partnerships for HTC VIVE, the pioneer and global leader in virtual reality. He has a proven track record of defining and executing the channel strategy, marketing strategy, product management, supply chain, and public relations for HTC VIVE. |
—Check back soon, speaker lineup is growing!
Speakers
 John Cunningham President, Virtualware USA and COO, VR/AR Association |
 Denise Mendez Principle Software Engineer, Microsoft Mixed Reality |
 Sofia Perez-Baux Project Manager, Xennial | UM Graduate May 2024 |
Conference Organizers
 Thomas Merrick Senior Project Manager, XR Initiatives, UM School of Communication Department of Interactive Media |
 Kim Grinfeder Founding Chair and Professor, UM School of Communication Department of Interactive Media |
 Anna Muller QueirozAssociate Professor, UM School of Communication Department of Interactive Media Core Faculty Member, UM IDSC, Creative Technologies program |
 Mia Uy Project Manager, The VESL, UM School of Communication, Department of Interactive Media Co-Founder and President, Kappa Theta Pi |
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Where to Stay |
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Places to Eat |