Assistant Professor
Education
D.S., University of Baltimore
M.A., Savannah College of Art and Design
B.A., University of Maryland Baltimore County
Elka Cahn has worked as a 3D artist for television and software developer for the US military before coming to teach at the University of Baltimore. Her research focuses on virtual reality, human-computer interactivity using electroencephalography, and multisensory integration in virtual reality. Dr. Cahn earned degrees from University of Maryland Baltimore County, Savannah College of Art and Design, and the University of Baltimore.
virtual reality, human-computer interactivity using electroencephalography (EEG), and multisensory integration in virtual reality
Art (2D and 3D), Design, Software development
"3D zBrush Animation Pipeline" (Writing Results)
This research has focused on transferring animation between Maya and zBrush. I am working on creating a smooth workflow for preserving quality of models and textures from zBrush to Maya, while keeping render time to a minimum. As such, I have been experimenting with the rigging and animation tools in zBrush. Developing a viable pipeline for rendering animation in zBrush will open up a multitude of creative possibilities for animation production.
"Corellations in Teaching Evaluation Scores in Higher Education" (Planning)
"Digital Media/Virtual Reality Interinstitutional Research and Learning Lab" (On-Going)
"Experimental study examining extrasensory stimulation in virtual reality" (On-Going)
"Experimental study examining user articulation of presence in virtual reality" (On-Going)
"Exploring Correlations Between Motion Sickness Susceptibility and Virtual Reality Sickness" (On-Going)
"Exploring Correlations Between Motion Sickness Susceptibility and Virtual Reality Sickness" (On-Going)
"High-definition interactive virtual reality artwork for VR headsets." (Writing Results)
"Interactive Artworks" (Writing Results)
Research has focused on creating interactive artwork utilizing Unity, Maya, 3Ds Max, zBrush and Kinect.
"Measurements of Olfactory Stimulation in Virtual Reality" (Planning)
"Measurements of Presence and Multisensory Stimulation in Virtual Reality" (Writing Results)
Doctoral dissertation in Interactive Design and Information Architecture
"Measurements of Presence and Multisensory Stimulation in Virtual Reality" (Writing Results)
"Measurements of Presence in Virtual Reality (Part II)" (Planning)
"Perceptions on Teaching Evaluations in Higher Education" (On-Going)
Study collecting opinions from university and college faculty regarding how well student course evaluations reflect instructor quality.
"Shady Grove Workshop" (On-Going)
Shady Grove Workshop established a dedicated space outside of the classroom for Simulation and Game Design students to work together with faculty and community-aligned clients on various projects. We moved to a new space this semester and are in the process of integrating additional interdisciplinary projects with programs from other schools.
"Shape recognition and utilization in VR." (Writing Results)
"Stories of the Peruvian Amazon" (On-Going)
Virtual Reality exploration of the stories and beliefs of the aboriginal people of the Peruvian Amazon.
"Thai Jungle exploration in VR" (Writing Results)
Research trip to Thailand and game
"USG CAVE and Interdisciplinary Research Lab" (On-Going)
An interdisciplinary team from different programs at Shady Grove are currently working on getting an immersive virtual reality environment (CAVE) set up at the Universities at Shady Grove. This new lab will accommodate interdisciplinary scholarly research.
"Virtual Reality Interactive Artwork" (Writing Results)
My research has focused on creating high-definition interactive virtual reality artwork for VR headsets.