Our Staff
Primary Staff
Howard Kaplan, PhD: Associate Director, AVC
Howard uses multiple types of visualization as a means of study and application; including its use as an educational tool for learning in the context of STEAM. Many of his visualization applications revolve around real-world data, 3D graphics and simulation, and 2D interactive media. He often uses instructional design techniques and graphics programming to provide students and educators with technology that fit with their class projects, course presentations and research needs. He received a BFA from Ringling College of Art, a M.Ed in Instructional Technology, and a Doctorate in Electrical Engineering from the University of South Florida.
His unique skillset has allowed him to develop the Advanced Visualization Center, which serves as a campus wide resource. He has since also implemented the 3D Printing Lab, and Visualization Computer Lab. Howard's work has also been featured in the journal Science, Wired.com, Siggraph, Discovery.com, and Fox News. He was also selected by the Center for Digital Education as a Top 30 Technologists, Transformers and Trailblazers in 2014.
Areas include: 2D & 3D Imaging, Medical Simulation, 3D Printing, Tactile Visualization, Physicalization, User Experience Design (UX), Instructional Design, Graphic User Interface Design (GUI), High Resolution Displays, Virtual Reality, Augmented Reality, Stereoscopic Technologies, gesture control, creative coding, rapid prototyping, Game Design, 3D Modeling, Animation, and alternative methods for data representation.
Spenser Mason: Software Developer
Spenser is a computer programmer with a BS in Computer Science from the University of South Florida. He is experienced in a wide range of software development fields, including web scraping, data analysis, game development, educational software, front-end web development, etc. He specializes in the Unity game engine to develop software as well as JavaScript and webpage development. His tasks there have ranged from teaching others how to program so they can write their own software, to developing a full-scale educational app for mobile devices using augmented reality and 3D printing. His typical projects involve visualizations of data using platforms such as the d3 JavaScript library. He also frequently performs other computer-related tasks such as administrative work on the computers in the Visualization Computer Lab.