Lori directs the ChronoPoints laser scanning lab at the Institute for Simulation Training (IST) at the University of Central Florida. Her research primarily explores the use of laser scanning, virtual reality, and augmented reality to the study of post-World War II historical topics, with a particular focus on the architecture of this era. She is also very interested in First World War and Second World War battle sites. To enhance the understanding of post-World War II structures, she conducts oral histories of those involved with those buildings, adding an element of humanity to understand their role in the community. Her research has received support from the National Endowment for the Humanities, the National Science Foundation, Army Research Lab, Microsoft, and the State of Florida Bureau of Historic Preservation. Lori can never resist working on any project that addresses an aspect of Mid-Century architecture and design and is known to obsess about one amazing Mid-Century building, the Cocoa Beach Glass Bank.

Joe is an Associate Professor at the College of Engineering, Computing, and Applied Sciences (CECAS) School of Computing
Visual Computing at Clemson University. He received his Ph.D. from the University of Pennsylvania and was a postdoctoral fellow at Cornell University and associate professor at the University of Central Florida. Joe’s research focuses on changing current architectural and urban planning practices by developing, validating, and testing simulation methods utilizing complex illumination, material appearance, physically-based simulation, and spectral rendering to improve design solutions for building energy use and human-building interaction.

Jessica is an anthropological archaeologist specializing in ancient Egyptian monumental art and fractal geometry. She received her undergraduate degree from the University of Florida, her Masters degree from Florida Atlantic University, and her Ph.D. from the University of Central Florida. Jessica’s fieldwork has taken her across the American Southeast and into Texas. For the last six years, Jessica has worked for the U.S. Army and the state of Texas, curating archaeology collections at Fort Benning Military Installation and for the Texas Historical Commission, respectively. Her training includes terrestrial archaeology and emergency heritage response, which has allowed Jessica to work with local, state, and federal governments and military officials to identify and stabilize at-risk heritage sites. Her research focuses on cultural heritage protection during times of political unrest and social network analysis. She is an assistant professor of history at the University of Central Florida.

Malic is a LiDAR Researcher with a broad educational background with degrees in Computer Engineering (BS), Management Information Systems (MS), Modeling & Simulation (MS), and he is working on his Ph.D. dissertation in Modeling & Simulation.  He speaks a variety of computer and spoken word languages fluently. His experience has brought to bear problems such as developing algorithms for commercial LiDAR and photogrammetry applications, as well as those in augmented reality headsets. Malic is a world traveler but enjoys spending time at home with his best friend/dog, Patch.  Additionally, he is infused with an entrepreneurial spirit, so he is well-versed in market trends, technology, and best business practices.  

Nitin is a doctoral student in the Modeling and Simulation program at the University of Central Florida. He has a Bachelor’s degree in Computer Engineering and a Master’s degree in Interactive Entertainment. He has worked in the games industry and is working to incorporate laser scanning in the game development pipeline. He is currently a research assistant creating LiDAR scans and analyzing and modifying them to create game-ready visualizations in real-time engines. Incorporating technology and art in every way possible is what he wishes to do throughout his life. When he is not working, he can be found chasing sunsets, soccer balls, or new delicacies.

Abbie Easter is a UCF Honors graduate with a degree in Exceptional Student Education and a minor in Art History. She first became interested in laser scanning after taking the Laser Scanning America’s Past course with Dr. Lori Walters at UCF. She then expanded this interest by completing an Honors Undergraduate Thesis analyzing various methods of creating digital models of small 3D artifacts. She now works as the Lab Manager of the DoD STARBASE Central Florida Lab, where she works to engage students of all ages and abilities in the world of STEM. She focuses on how scanning methods can be used in a K-12 educational context.