Shepherd Labs renovation creates flagship home for immersive innovation

The research will combine cutting-edge technology with real-world purpose.

MINNEAPOLIS / ST. PAUL (10/02/2025) —  Faculty and students will use immersive technologies like virtual and augmented reality to help people better understand complex problems—from healthcare to sustainability—and feel more connected to the solutions.

The renovation brings together faculty and students from human-centered computing, robotics, and project-based learning under one roof for the first time. The shared space is designed to foster collaboration across disciplines—and support powerful new research.

“We solve problems that matter to society,” said Dan Keefe, Department of Computer Science & Engineering professor, who studies how immersive tools can help doctors identify the best cancer patient treatment plan. “We’re working with doctors, oncologists, engineers, and communities to solve real problems,” said Keefe.

Watch how virtual and augmented reality are driving human-centered research with real-world results at the renovated Shepherd Labs.

Using virtual reality to support health and well-being

One focus of the research: exploring the use of virtual nature to help people heal.

“Contact with nature can be really restorative,” said Victoria Interrante, Department of Computer Science & Engineering professor. “What if we could offer that virtually to people who can’t get outside—hospitalized patients, older adults, or people recovering from surgery?”

The research investigates how sound, light, and movement can create immersive environments that promote healing. It also considers deeper questions of purpose. 

 “I often ask myself: how can I help make the world a better place by doing this as opposed to something else,” said Interrante. 

Why Shepherd Labs matters

The newly renovated space will bring all of this work together—and make it more accessible to visitors, collaborators, and future students.

It’s not just about advancing technology. It’s about building a community of people who want to improve lives.

“When we help people explore, see, and feel their data, they ask better questions,” said Sean Dorr, Computer Science & Engineering Ph.D. candidate and Interdisciplinary Doctoral Fellowship recipient. “And when we ask better questions, we improve health and our communities.”

Be part of what's next

Learn more about the Shepherd Labs renovation and make a gift to support faculty and student human-centered research.