faculty:

Oliver received his PhD in Mechanical Engineering from Michigan State University and is widely recognized for his software development and technical contributions in automation of design and manufacturing processes via applied geometric modeling and computer visualization. In 1991, he was recruited by Iowa State to help organize the Iowa Center for Emerging Manufacturing Technology, predecessor of the Virtual Reality Applications Center. From 1993 to 1997, Oliver served as Associate Director of ICEMT.

In addition to his research and technical contributions, Oliver also brings a valuable understanding of industry needs to the position. As Senior Director of Product Design at Engineering Animation Incorporated, he managed an international team of 50+ programmers that produced an internet solution that enabled manufacturers to collaborate with their supply chains. He also founded and directed Arete Software Company (a software component provider focused on design synthesis and manufacturing analysis tools).

Clearly, Oliver has proven his intuitive sense of industry needs and has the technical expertise to deliver innovative VR solutions. As co-founder of the Human Computer Interaction initiative and Chair of the newly formed HCI Interdepartmental Graduate Program, Oliver is poised to propel VRAC toward a position of national leadership in the application of virtual reality technology to engineering challenges.