Email: xrlab@bellevuecollege.edu
Location: D126 in the library
Staff and Faculty
Ron Austin
Associate Director of Immersive Learning
Email: ron.austin@bellevuecollege.edu
Office Location: D126
Biography:
Ron is the Associate Director of Immersive Learning and he works closely with the XR Lab. He also provides assistance with the NWXR EDU Network, a project started with the support of the National Science Foundation (2023–2026).
His role includes facilitating faculty training workshops, developing online courses, and exploring media technologies for teaching and learning.
Ron has worked with Bellevue College’s Health Science Division as an eLearning Specialist, and with BC eLearning since 2019. He has over 20 years of experience as an adjunct instructor, teaching web development, animation, and film.
Outside of work, he enjoys sketching, photography, and creating documentary films. He is especially proud of his son, who is studying health sciences and enjoys skateboarding and snowboarding.
Maria Sanchez
XR Faculty Lead
- Email: maria.sanchezi@bellevuecollege.edu
- Office Location: Room D126M
Biography:
María teaches XR Development & Client Collaboration (DMA 294 & 295) at Bellevue College and helps students and faculty explore and build immersive experiences in the XR Lab. She specializes in various XR tools and technologies and creates Open Educational Resources to make XR more accessible.
Originally from Colombia, María first studied video production before transitioning to Interaction Design, where she discovered her passion for XR. She first joined the XR Lab in 2022 and is excited to be back to share her knowledge and support students.
María loves how XR transforms spectators into active participants, adding a new level of immersion and making messages more impactful.
Outside of work, she enjoys staying active by playing ultimate frisbee, hiking in the mountains, and experiencing live music.“
George Rowe
Instructional Designer with eLearning / XR
- Email: george.rowe@bellevuecollege.edu
- Office Location: D126M
Biography:
I started at Bellevue College, as an adjunct faculty instructor (English Language Institute and the English Department) in fall 2018, and joined the Interactive eLearning team the next quarter. My interest in instructional design was borne out of my experience as an avid online learner pursuing professional development, my background in teaching, training and academic management, and my personal interest in digital and user experience design. In 2018, I completed the E-Learning and Instructional Design Certificate program at UW. I am ecstatic to be working with the Interactive eLearning team here at Bellevue College and enjoy helping instructors find solutions and develop engaging eLearning experiences for their courses.
David Wikstrom
XR Lab Coordinator & VR Application Developer
- Email: david.wikstrom@bellevuecollege.edu
- Office Location: D126M
Biography:
David is an ex-Air Force Electrical and Environmental Systems Specialist who earned his Bachelor’s in Application Development at Bellevue College. He is now a Lead Developer with MXTReality and continues to work part time with the XR Lab.
“I’ve always been interested in Virtual Reality, but the thing that really sold me on pursuing a career in VR application development is VRET (Virtual Reality Exposure Therapy) and its effectiveness in treating PTSD. I believe XR technologies are important technologies that will change the landscape of education and healthcare in the future.”
Larry Boykin
Multimedia Technician Senior
- Email: lnoykin@bellevuecollege.edu
- Office Location: D150A
Biography:
Larry started working at Bellevue College in the Library Media Center in 1983 as a work study student assisting with the audio-visual delivery. In 1987, Larry was hired part-time working off-site at the Bellevue College Continuing Education location. In 1989, Larry started working full-time with the Media Center, first as the Media Dispatcher to now Media Technician Lead.
In over 25 years, Larry has seen the change of audio-visual use on campus from 16mm projector to computers with data projector while helping the campus community to keep up with the new technology. He is now beginning a new start with Interactive eLearning assisting them with how we can use current and future equipment with new software.
When Larry is not on campus, he likes listening to music, taking walks to relax and watching old Star Trek the Next Generation.
Lauren Psomostithis
Instructional Designer
Biography:
Lauren works with Interactive eLearning and the XR Lab. In her role with eLearning she provides support for the Health Sciences Education Wellness Institute. She also works with Canvas LMS design and develops interactive experiences for the XR Lab.
Bruce Wolcott
Faculty Scholar Emeritus
Biography:
Bruce is a co-founder of the BC XR Lab and he worked with Bellevue College for over 25 years. He continues to explore XR technologies and serves an advisory role with the XR Lab.
Bruce earned his BA in Media and Communications from The Evergreen State College and has professional experience in media production. Earlier in his career, he worked as a Media Production Coordinator at the Pacific Science Center and as a Visual Effects Designer and Producer for various Seattle-area production companies. Bruce believes XR can transform education by creating immersive and collaborative learning experiences. In 2017, Bruce received the Margin of Excellence Award for teaching.
XR Lab Student Employees
Dorian Jones
XR Lab Student Assistant
- Email: dorian.jones@bellevuecollege.edu
- Office Location: D126M
Biography:
Dorian assists with designing posters for the XR Lab and XR Club and helps with setup and preparation for club meetings and events. He enjoys supporting projects that bring the XR community together and make learning experiences more interactive.
Originally from Kansas, Dorian has a background in IT, nursing, and human resources. He is currently pursuing an Associate’s degree in Multimedia Arts at Bellevue College, with plans to study cybersecurity abroad after graduation.
Dorian is passionate about XR’s rapid growth and is excited to contribute by sharing knowledge and exploring new developments in the field.
A fun fact about Dorian is that he is a former member of the military and spent part of his childhood living in Morocco!
Berke Can
XR Lab Student Assistant
- Email: berke.can@bellevuecollege.edu
- Office Location: D126M
Biography:
Berke maintains VR headsets and other devices at the Bellevue College XR Lab and assists with workshops, and contributes creatively to XR-related projects. He enjoys exploring how XR can enhance learning and engagement.
Originally from Turkey, Berke is currently pursuing a Bachelor’s degree in Computer Science at Bellevue College. He has a strong interest in XR technologies, particularly in physics-based programming and tech innovations.
Berke believes XR has the potential to transform the way people interact with technology, from immersive gaming to real-world applications in education and beyond.
His favorite VR experience is Half-Life: Alyx, a game he finds both extremely fun and technologically impressive.
Outside of XR, Berke is a passionate film lover with a goal of making a feature film one day.
Karanveer Singh
XR Lab Assistant
- Email: karanveer.hj.singh@bellevuecollege.edu
- Office Location: D126M
Biography:
My name is Karanveer Singh, also known as Handsomejatt. I am a film editor, public speaker, author, and consultant living with Cerebral Palsy. For the past 10 years, I have been using an eye gaze communication device to connect with the world and share my voice.
With nearly eight years of experience in video editing, I’ve worked on over 75 videos for universities, companies, and organizations—including major clients like Google. I was also hired as a film editor by Central Washington University.
In addition to editing, I am the creator of the children’s coloring book “The Animal Kingdom,” available on Amazon. I actively speak and advocate for accessibility and inclusion, using assistive technology to educate and empower others.
I’m currently pursuing my Associate of Arts degree in Digital Media Arts at Bellevue College, where I am also proud to be an employee.
Education
- Highline College
- Bellevue College
Yiyuan Xu
XR Lab Assistant
- Email: yiyuan.xu@bellevuecollege.edu
- Office Location: D126M
Biography:
Yiyuan is a computer science student at Bellevue College, currently pursuing an associate degree. She is fascinated by the “dual nature” of XR technology: its ability to create unprecedented things with boundless imagination, and its power to break the constraints of time and space, perfectly recreating the existing world. She looks forward to a day when these concepts are used to develop immersive virtual tours, making every corner of the world accessible to everyone in a digital format.
As a student assistant at the XR Lab, Yiyuan is responsible for daily operations, including event coordination, hardware maintenance. She is passionate about guiding new students in experiencing virtual reality, translating complex technical setups into simple, easy-to-understand steps, helping them easily enter the immersive virtual world.
Yiyuan is from China and is dedicated to finding a balance between the digital and real worlds. Outside of the lab, she is a kayaking enthusiast who enjoys paddling on Lake Washington, finding inspiration in the process. She is also a passionate table tennis player. Her favorite movie is the 2001 film “A.I. Artificial Intelligence.” She is curious about the human factors behind technology and continuously strives to create natural and meaningful digital interaction experiences.
Allegresse kalenga
Rabi Mulumba
Ryan Bennett
Interactive eLearning and Division Partners
Industry Partners
The XR Lab is grateful for the collaboration with MXTreality, Tosolini Productions, James Riggall, and other innovative technology companies in the Pacific Northwest and beyond.
Paolo Tosolini
Tosolini Productions
Tosolini Founder & Director of Innovation
An award winning creative studio, Tosolini productions blends innivation with storytelling. Through R&D and experimentation, Tosolini cradts engaging digital experiences using cutting-edge technologies.
Jeff Rayner
MXT Reality
MXTreality Founder and CEO
MXT REALITY, (pronounced “Mixed Reality” and “MXT”), specializes in enhancing the human experience. By integrating multi-sensory capabilities, accessibility-friendly peripherals, and multiple users; everyone, on every device, can have shared experiences like never befor
James Riggall
Co-Founder of The XR Lab and Entrepreneur
Bitlink.com.au
Biography:
James has supported the XR Lab for many years and he developed and taught Virtual Reality Design and Communications (CMST 116) alongside Bruce Wolcott . He was a Fulbright Scholar and co-founder of the XR Lab in 2017 and he resides in Tasmania, Australia.
James teaches entrepreneurship at the University of Tasmania, runs a small technology education company called Bitlink, and is a principal artist with the technology art collective Soma Lumia. He also serves on several boards, including the Queen Victoria Museum and Art Gallery. What excites James most about XR is its potential to transform education, giving people access to new experiences and helping them develop skills in ways never before possible. He believes we have only begun to explore what XR can do to accelerate and deepen learning. You can learn more about James and see photos of his work here: www.jamesriggall.com
Last Updated May 26, 2026