In an exciting new interdisciplinary collaboration, Jason Jamerson, assistant professor of virtual production and immersive media at LSU College of Art & Design and College of Music & Dramatic Arts, is part of a team led by Dr. Wan-Chun Su, assistant professor of motor behavior in the School of Kinesiology in the College of Human Sciences & Education. Together, they are working on a pioneering project to better understand how humans move through social environments and how brain activity and gait patterns adapt when navigating around people and obstacles.

The project, funded by the LSU Provost’s Fund for Innovation in Research (PFIR), will involve the creation of a virtual reality (VR) classroom. This innovative environment will be used to simulate real-world social settings, allowing researchers to study how individuals with social motor difficulties interact and move in spaces filled with obstacles and other people. The research could hold potential for the development of new training programs aimed at helping individuals with difficulties in social movement and motor coordination. As our understanding of these processes expands, the hope is to create effective strategies and interventions that can significantly improve the lives of those with social motor challenges.

Dr. Nicholas Fears and Dr. Hyun Kim, also assistant professors in kinesiology, round out the research team, contributing their specialized knowledge in kinesiology and biomedicine to the study. Together, they are combining their expertise to examine the effects of social interactions on movement, the cognitive processes behind these behaviors, and the physiological responses that accompany them. The project is funded by a PFIR “Big Ideas in Stem and Social & Behavioral Sciences” grant.

“The project will use simulated environments in a game engine, combined with a cutting-edge treadmill, motion capture system, brain scanning technology, and an immersive video volume to safely test differences in how people navigate obstacles when moving through a complex environment,” Jamerson said.

One of the key innovations of the project is the VR classroom, which offers a unique opportunity to observe movement in highly controlled yet realistic environments. By immersing participants in simulated spaces where they must navigate around other people, the team can observe how individuals adapt their movements, which can help them understand the underlying mechanisms of social interactions and motor coordination.

Jamerson’s involvement brings a wealth of expertise in immersive technologies, virtual production, and the integration of media into experimental environments. His role in the project will focus on developing the virtual reality components, ensuring the creation of an accurate and engaging digital space for study participants. With his extensive background in virtual production and immersive media, Jamerson is helping push the boundaries of how technology can be used to further understand human behavior and movement.

For Jamerson, this research presents a unique opportunity to merge the fields of virtual production and kinesiology in ways that can directly impact individuals facing motor challenges. He is passionate about the potential of immersive media to provide both solutions and insights into the world of health and human sciences.

By combining the expertise of professionals in kinesiology, biomedicine, and virtual production, the team hopes to advance our understanding of human movement in complex social environments and provide solutions for those struggling with motor difficulties.

“This project is a prime example of the power of collaboration between diverse academic fields,” said Rod Parker, interim dean of the College of Art & Design. “With the combination of cutting-edge virtual reality technology and a team of experts in the field, this groundbreaking research could lead to new interventions and therapies that improve the quality of life for people. This innovative project stands as a testament to how interdisciplinary research and creative technological solutions can open new doors to understanding the intricacies of human behavior.”

As biomedical research advances, interdisciplinary researchers—who bridge the gap between art, technology, and health—are sure to play a pivotal role.

2025 Provost’s Fund for Innovation in Research Awards

The LSU Provost’s Fund for Innovation in Research has invested $1.8 million in seed funding for interdisciplinary research and creative works to solve problems and improve lives. 

“Since the launch of LSU’s Provost’s Fund for Innovation in Research (PFIR) in 2022, the initiative has provided more than $5 million to support interdisciplinary research aligned with President Tate’s Scholarship First Agenda,” said Roy Haggerty, LSU Executive Vice President & Provost. “Through this investment, faculty have advanced research in five priority areas—agriculture, biomedicine and biotechnology, coast and environment, defense and cybersecurity, and energy—addressing some of the most pressing challenges facing Louisiana and beyond.”

See other College of Art & Design faculty who received Provost Fund for Innovation in Research awards:

Malcolm McClay Leads Interdisciplinary Team to Address ADHD Through Art

Huili Wang Leads Research Team Making Libraries More Accessible