Bernie Frischer
Bernie Frischer, a professor of informatics and the director of the Virtual World Heritage Laboratory at the School of Informatics and Computing, has been recognized by the Professionalism & Integrity in Research Program at the Washington University School of Medicine as one of 24 STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics) Research Exemplars.
Frischer was honored for his ability to conduct high-quality, high-impact, federally funded research while leading a research lab or team. The Research Exemplar Project aims to identify the practices that exemplars use to lead and manage their research labs with professionalism and integrity.
“I am enormously honored and quite surprised to receive a STEM Research Exemplar Award,” Frischer said. “I am very grateful to those who nominated me. At the Virtual World Heritage Laboratory, we strive to stay abreast of the latest technologies and methodologies in our field through participation in international conferences and collaboration with professional colleagues around the world. This award is, in a sense, a recognition that the work being done in this relatively new field by hundreds of researchers around the world has now reached the point of maturity when it can be properly considered a part of STEM.”
Frischer’s Virtual World Heritage Laboratory uses 3D digital technologies to preserve and model objects from antiquity, and in some cases, it can digitally recreate ancient locations or even whole cities. The result is a virtual simulation that can be used to study and conduct experiments at sites that would otherwise be impossible.
“Bernie’s unique work is a source of pride for SoIC, and he’s richly deserving of this honor,” said Raj Acharya, dean of SoIC. “His professionalism and drive to both innovate and educate sets an example for our students, and his work helps keep the School on the cutting-edge of the emerging area of Virtual Heritage.”
For more information on the Research Exemplars, visit their website.