[1] International Symposium on Aviation Psychology (ISAP 2025)• Jun 2025• Roles: Author, Developer
Academic & Professional Curriculum Vitae
Brandon Coffey
Lead Technical Artist & Graphics / XR Researcher
The University of Texas at Dallas • VAST Lab (Virtual Reality, Augmented Reality, Simulation, Technology)
business@brandoncoffey.comlinkedin.com/in/brandon-coffeygithub.com/BrandonMCoffeyDallas-Fort Worth, TX
Education & Academic Credentials
Formal degrees and interdisciplinary research qualifications
M.F.A. in Game Development
Aug 2024 – May 2027The University of Texas at Dallas
Graduate research focused on XR ergonomic human factors, volumetric video pipelines, and high-fidelity institutional digital twins.
B.A. in Arts, Technology, and Emerging Communication (Animation & Games)
Aug 2019 – May 2023The University of Texas at Dallas
Minor in Computer Science. Graduated with honors, co-authoring academic VRST publications as an undergraduate.
Peer-Reviewed Publications
12 published or in-press academic papers across ACM, IEEE, ISAP, and Springer
[2] International Symposium on Aviation Psychology (ISAP 2025)• Jun 2025• Roles: Author, Developer
Augmented Reality for Technical Operations Field Work: Examining the Development and Effects of Headset Discomfort
[3] 8th International Conference on Computer Graphics and Virtuality (ICCGV 2025)• Apr 2025• Roles: Author, Developer
Advancing the facilitation of social interaction and community engagement among American football enthusiasts through immersive metaverse platform
[4] 2025 IEEE Conference on Virtual Reality and 3D User Interfaces Abstracts and Workshops (VRW)• Mar 2025• Roles: Author, Developer
Digital Time Machine: A Virtual Reality Reconstruction of the Southwestern Zeitgeist Through the Lens of Clark Hulings' Artistic Legacy
[5] Springer Nature — Advances in Haptics and Virtual Reality• May 2024• Roles: Author, Developer
Virtual Re-Creation in Augmented Reality for Artistic Expression and Exhibition
[6] 2024 IEEE International Symposium on Emerging Metaverse (ISEMV)• Oct 2024• Roles: Author, Developer
Building a University Digital Twin
[7] ACM VRST '22: Proceedings of the 28th ACM Symposium on Virtual Reality Software and Technology• Nov 2022• Roles: Author, Developer
MetaTwin: Synchronizing Physical and Virtual Spaces for Seamless World
[8] ACM VRST '22: Proceedings of the 28th ACM Symposium on Virtual Reality Software and Technology• Nov 2022• Roles: Developer
Data Abstraction for Visual and Haptic Representations in Flow Visualization
[9] ACM VRST '21: Proceedings of the 27th ACM Symposium on Virtual Reality Software and Technology• Dec 2021• Roles: Developer
TangibleData: Interactive Data Visualization with Mid-Air Haptics
[10] ACM VRST '21: Proceedings of the 27th ACM Symposium on Virtual Reality Software and Technology• Dec 2021• Roles: Developer
Mid-Air Thermo-Tactile Feedback using Ultrasound Haptic Display
Honors & Awards
12 International, National, and University Recognitions
Tech Titans Awards2026
Finalist — VAST Lab
Project: VAST Virtual Reality Research Lab
UT Dallas Office of Research2026
Recognition of Outstanding Achievements in Research (ROAR)
Project: FAA Technical Operations XR Maintenance Suite
Institutional AwardCase Study →
Davey Awards2025
Gold Award — Virtual & Immersive Experiences (Education: Best World-Building Design)
Project: UTD Vivarium Digital Twin
The Communicator Awards2025
Award of Distinction (General-New Realities)
Project: Woodbearers of Chimayo VR Experience
Davey Awards2024
Silver Award — Virtual & Immersive Experiences (Virtual Reality)
Project: Woodbearers of Chimayo VR Experience
10th International Conference of the Immersive Learning Research Network (iLRN 2024)2024
People's Choice Award
Project: Judy Chicago 'Kitty City' AR (Submission 163)
UTD Student Poster Competition & Art Showcase2024
Second Place — Art Showcase
Project: Woodbearers of Chimayo VR Experience
Davey Awards2023
Silver Award — Virtual & Immersive Experiences (Augmented Reality)
Project: New Mexico Museum of Art Vladem Contemporary Judy Chicago 'Kitty City' AR
Davey Awards2023
Silver Award — Virtual & Immersive Experiences (Diversity, Equity & Inclusion)
Project: New Mexico Museum of Art Multicultural Augmented Reality Mural Re-envisioning
Davey Awards2023
Silver Award — Creative Innovation (World-Building Design)
Project: Tulsa Union High School Metaverse Football Stadium
ECCSIT 20232023
Outstanding Oral Presentation Award
Project: Judy Chicago 'Kitty City' Augmented Reality
Institutional AwardCase Study →
ACM VRST 20222022
Best Poster Award
Project: Data Abstraction for Visual and Haptic Representations in Flow Visualization
Institutional AwardCase Study →
Press & Media Recognition
11 Features across The New York Times, Fox News, & University Outlets
UT Dallas News & Bass SchoolJul 2026
VR Lab's FAA Research Giving Students Vast Experiences
Ackerman Center for Holocaust StudiesSep 2025
The VASTLab's Digital Twin of the Ackerman Center for Holocaust Studies
UT Dallas Research BlogMar 2025
Where Virtual Meets Reality: Inside UT Dallas' Groundbreaking VAST VR Lab
Bass School NewsFeb 2025
FAA and UT Dallas VAST VR Lab Collaborate on Pioneering Extended Reality Research for Aerospace Maintenance
UT Dallas NewsDec 2024
Graduate Students Showcase Range of Research, Art at Competition
Bass School NewsMay 2024
VAST Lab's Metaverse Arts And Technology Building Garnering National Attention
Bass School NewsNov 2023
UT Dallas Virtual Reality Research Lab Wins Four Prestigious Davey Awards
The New York TimesOct 2023
In Santa Fe, a New Museum Brings the Local Art Scene Up to Date
Fox NewsSep 2023
Union HS partners with University of Texas, combines football and the metaverse
The Art NewspaperAug 2023
New Mexico Museum of Art adds $20.2m contemporary art outpost
Conferences & Public Exhibitions
11 Showcases including GDC, SXSW, and IEEE ISEMV
Axxess AGILE Conference
Featured Work: Woodbearers & FAA TechOps • Dallas, Texas
Verizon Smart Campus Competition
Featured Work: Woodbearers & FAA TechOps • Dallas, Texas
Game Developers Conference (GDC 2026)
Featured Work: VAST Lab Portfolio • San Francisco, California
UTD Startup Crawl
Featured Work: VAST Lab XR Showcase • Dallas, Texas
Capital Factory House — Innovation in Action (SXSW 2025)
Featured Work: Woodbearers & FAA TechOps • Austin, Texas
Bass School BCA Ambassador Event
Featured Work: Woodbearers of Chimayo • Dallas, Texas
VAST Lab Ribbon Cutting Ceremony
Featured Work: XR Lab Official Opening • Dallas, Texas
Oct 2024
Jun 2024
Vladem Contemporary NM Museum of Art Grand Opening
Featured Work: Kitty City & Multicultural Mural AR • Santa Fe, New Mexico
Teaching Experience & Academic Service
Classroom mentorship, graduate teaching, and guest lectures
Graduate Teaching Assistant — Small Group Game Lab
Spring 2025The University of Texas at Dallas
Invited AR/VR Project Judge — Student XR Showcase & Interviews
Dec 2023Zion Lutheran School
Adjunct Class Guest Lecturer — Advanced Game Engines & Technical Art
Fall 2023The University of Texas at Dallas