Miles Vilke, XR Specialist

MIles VIlke sitting and smiling near the water
Miles VIlke smiling by the water

Miles Vilke (’24) is an XR Specialist for Studio X. As a Digital Media Studies major pursuing a UX Certificate, he has grown a passion for multi-medial projects through UX design, 3D modeling, sound design, and more. In his free time, Miles enjoys playing video games with his friends, reading, watching movies and TV, and video editing

Fin Tran, XR Specialist

Hi, my name is Fin Tran and I’m a sophomore with intended double majors in Digital Media Studies, Business and a possible minor in Studio Art. I’m really passionate about visual storytelling through graphic design, digital photography, and filmmaking. Lately, I have urged myself to transition to 3D design platform and industrial design thanks to a semester at the University and got really interested in the Metaverse. I have always viewed extended reality and games as a new medium for me to try telling stories that affect the surrounding community in a more meaningful way. Off work, people will see me dancing (urban and k-pop), drawing, photo shooting, screenwriting, and filming.

Emily Sherwood, Director

Emily with headset and using hands with VR

Emily Sherwood is the Director of Digital Scholarship and Studio X. Previously, she was the Assistant Director of Digital Pedagogy and Scholarship at Bucknell University. Emily has attended CLIR/Educause’s Leading Change Institute and is a former CLIR Postdoctoral Fellow. She has a Ph.D. in English from the Graduate Center of the City University of New York and a MA in Shakespearean Studies from King’s College London. As principal investigator for the Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS) funded New York Data Carpentries Library Consortium Planning Grant, Emily works with colleagues from Rochester, Syracuse, Colgate, and Cornell to extend data literacy in central and western New York.

Contact: esherwood [at] library.rochester.edu

Liudmila (Mila) Paymukhina, XR Specialist

Mila with Glowing glasses

Hey everyone! My name is Mila, and I’m an XR Specialist at Studio X. I’m a junior at UR majoring in Computer Science and Psychology. I’m also an international student from Russia, and prior to coming to study in the U.S., I lived in Armenia for two years studying in UWC Dilijan. On campus, I’m a part of the HCI Lab, Girls Who Code, and Sailing team. 

Dustin Paden, XR Specialist

headset photo of XR Specialist, Dustin Paden.
headset photo of XR Specialist, Dustin Paden.

Dustin (’24) is an XR Specialist for Studio X. He majors in Digital Media Studies, Psychology, and Studio Arts. On campus, he is President of the Rochester Design club, Marketing Specialist of the Digital Media Advisory Council, and Communications & Graphics Assistant for Wilson Commons Student Activities. He’s passionate about digital arts, playing cello, house plants, and rock climbing.

Liam O’Leary, XR Developer

Liam smiling at camera

Liam O’Leary (’23) is a Karp Library Fellow for Studio X. He majors in Digital Media Studies and is passionate about XR technologies and the future of virtual design. In his spare time, he develops VR games in Unity and loves to draw.

Meaghan Moody, Assistant Director

Meaghan with headset on

Meaghan Moody is the Assistant Director for Studio X and part of the Digital Scholarship team. Previously, she was the Immersive Technologies Librarian. Before joining UR, she was the Teaching & Learning Librarian at the University of Pennsylvania Libraries. She holds an MLIS from Rutgers School of Communication and Information and a BA in English Language and Literature from the University of Kansas.

Contact: mmoody [at] library.rochester.edu

Aleem Griffiths, Studio X Section Supervisor

Aleem smiling at camera
Aleem smiling at camera

Hey, my name is Aleem Griffiths! I was born
and raised in The Bronx (NYC). When I came
to college I started djing under the name “Dr. Griffs”
I graduated from U of R with a DMS Degree in
2018. I am a fan of tech, music, and engaging
conversations! I look forward to getting
to know more about XR in
Studio X!

Richard Chuong, XR Specialist

Richard with light up saber
Richard with light up saber posing for camera

Richard Chuong (’25) is an XR Specialist for Studio X. He majors in Computer Science and is from Oklahoma. He is currently involved as an organizer for U of R’s annual hackathon, Dandyhacks, and as a chair for the League of Legends Club. His interests revolve around innovating new ways to empower people and developing low-opportunity communities. In his free time, he enjoys playing intramural sports, trying to practice Spanish, and learning more about the science of cooking. He has the firm belief that Ratatouille is the greatest Pixar movie.