UAPB Professors receive grant to establish 3D visualization cave

Dr. Antonie Rice

Dr. Sederick Rice

PINE BLUFF, Ark. – Imagine being able to walk through the central nervous system, forensics scene or the activity of a data stream – all of that will soon be possible thanks to the innovative minds at the University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff (UAPB). Dr. Sederick C. Rice, assistant professor of biology has been awarded a $176,000 instrumentation grant from the Arkansas IDeA Network of Biomedical Research Excellence (Arkansas INBRE) to fund the Generating Enhanced Teaching through Science Education and Technology (GET-SET) project. Dr. Sederick C. Rice is the principal investigator (PI) and Dr. Antonie Rice, associate dean of the School of Arts and Sciences is the co-principal investigator (co-PI) for the project.

Example of a 3D Visualization Cave

GET-SET is an instrumentation grant project designed to acquire and utilize immersive learning and research technology in the form of a low-cost turn-key 3D visualization system. The main components of the GET-SET project are designed to develop a 3D visualization center at UAPB to improve STEM faculty professional development along with the application and use of 3D visualization in STEM classroom and research settings on the undergraduate and graduate levels. The funds from GET-SET will be used to develop a 3D visualization center in Rust Technology Hall on UAPB’s campus.

“This is a very exciting time for me as principal investigator of the GET-SET Project,” said Dr. Sederick Rice. “The installation of a 3D visualization cave on our campus will open the door to enhanced student and faculty engagement in STEM teaching and research across our campus and provide instrumentation that will promote effective outreach to K-12 STEM teachers and students throughout the Arkansas Delta.”

The Arkansas IDeA Network of Biomedical Research Excellence (INBRE) is a statewide network of collaborative partnerships to expand biomedical research capacity in Arkansas. The Arkansas INBRE builds upon infrastructure developed during the BRIN Phase, and features the three research-intensive institutions in the state – the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences (UAMS); the University of Arkansas, Fayetteville (UAF); and the University of Arkansas at Little Rock (UALR) -which provide scientific leadership.

For more information about the GET-SET Project, call (870)575-8849.