Year started in program: 2000

Current work location: The Institute for Simulation and Training

Research interest: I am currently engaged in research involving land based transportation human factors with emphasis placed upon intelligent transportation systems (ITS), motorcycles and ITS, Human Factors in Collision Avoidance Systems and issues involving driving and simulation. Prior to initiating research in the area of land based transportation human factors, my employment at The Team Performance Laboratory (TPL) and at the Institute for Simulation and Training (IST) afforded me the opportunity to engage in research focused upon virtual reality in the context of increasing immersion and the overall effectiveness of VR for collaborative group use. Under assignment to this project, areas of focus included human factors and environmental illumination, presence and visual display issues, visual projector/screen issues, immersive surround sound issues and research involving the qualities that constitute immersive seating. This research, combined with that of other group members assigned to the project, contributed toward the design, implementation and construction of an advanced, human factors oriented, highly immersive environment used for training and the visualization of complex information.

Publications over past two years:

Riniolo, T. C., Torrez, L. I., & Schmidt, L. A. (2001). Who would survive the titanic today: A classroom exercise. Teaching of Psychology, 28 (1), 46 - 48.
Riniolo, T. C., & Torrez, L. I. (2000). Revisiting the monkey trial - Mr. Bryan's cross-examination of the defense: A speculative case study in the relationship of science and religion. Skeptic, 8 (2), 60 - 63.

Email address: ltorrez@ist.ucf.edu