The project, titled “The Phoenix of Gaza XR,” is a collaborative virtual reality endeavor, which uses immersive technologies to document life in Gaza, was developed by Ahlam Muhtaseb, professor of communication and media studies, and her former student, CSUSB alumnus Naim Aburaddi.
Ahlam Muhtaseb (media studies) discussed the work of CSUSB alumnus Naim Aburaddi, a Ph.D. candidate at the University of Colorado, Mihaela Popescu (communication studies) was interviewed for a white paper on the impact of the metaverse, Stuart Sumida (biology) commented on the auctioning of dinosaur fossils, and Bob Miller (public administration, adjunct) is being considered for a vacancy on the Yucaipa City Council.
The experiences of refugees who survived the devastating earthquake that struck Syria and Turkey will be shown in 360-degree immersive footage captured by the panelists at the April 18 event, which will be presented virtually.
The CSUSB xReal Lab team hopes to not only raise awareness, but also increase empathy with the refugees in an attempt to increase humanitarian aid.
The virtual reality environment was introduced as part of the event, titled “Yesterday's Future: The Centuries-Long Quest For Virtual Reality,” hosted by the Annenberg Virtual Reality ColLABorative.
Naim Aburaddi, has had an amazing academic career leading up to his acceptance into the prestigious doctoral program in media studies at the University of Colorado, Boulder, where he will study the digital media’s misrepresentation of Palestinians, Arabs, Muslims and other Indigenous communities.
Naim Aburaddi, communication studies major, is the Outstanding Graduate Student, and Ferris Strachan, liberal studies major, is the Outstanding Undergraduate.
As the recipient of the 2021 Graduate Extended Reality Research Scholarship, communication studies student Naim Aburaddi hopes to make it easier for students living in Gaza to communicate with the world and share their stories.
Naim Aburaddi, CSUSB communication studies graduate student, was accepted to present at the National Communication Association, the largest and most prestigious communication association in the world.