January 2026
In the month of January 2026, the BaUX Lab ran one research project and gave one lab presentation. 25 classes have been added to SONA and 29 students registered accounts on SONA.
The research project was conducted by Haley Hatfield and her research team. The topic of the research is about investigating Virtual Influencer’s Impact on PFAS Awareness. A paper related to this research has been accepted to present in the upcoming ICA conference.
Hatfield, H., Akalonu, C., O., T., Goli, M., Chen, Y., Sharma, N., (2026). Simulated bodies, real risks: Virtual influencers as health communicators. Paper accepted to present at the 76th Annual Conference of the International Communication Association, Cape Town, South Africa.
The lab presentation was for the Duke Endowment Grant Project led by Sicheng Wang from Department of Geography and Shan Qiao from Arnold School of Public Health. Taylor Wen is a co-investigator on this project.
2025 News
In the months of Oct. and Nov. 2025, the BaUX Lab ran five research projects with 94 participants (and 154 online participants), hosted eight class visits and three guest group visits, and gave three lab presentations.
Across October and November, the BaUX Lab supported a broad range of ongoing research projects, including data processing, VR and music-game studies, political framing, PFAS-related virtual-influencer research, facial and voice analysis, tourism information effectiveness, and studies on influencers, avatars, and online sexual-health education. During this period, the lab also hosted tours for international visitors, high school students, and state representatives, and facilitated multiple class visits from JOUR, ISCI, and HRSM courses. Additionally, three new classes were added to the SONA system.
In the months of Oct. and Nov. 2025, the BaUX Lab ran five research projects with 94 participants (and 154 online participants), hosted eight class visits and three guest group visits, and gave three lab presentations.
Across October and November, the BaUX Lab supported a broad range of ongoing research projects, including data processing, VR and music-game studies, political framing, PFAS-related virtual-influencer research, facial and voice analysis, tourism information effectiveness, and studies on influencers, avatars, and online sexual-health education. During this period, the lab also hosted tours for international visitors, high school students, and state representatives, and facilitated multiple class visits from JOUR, ISCI, and HRSM courses. Additionally, three new classes were added to the SONA system.
In the month of September 2025, the BaUX Lab ran six research projects with 36 participants, hosted one class visit, gave two lab presentations, and provided four internal training sessions.
The BaUX Lab is preparing to welcome a variety of visitors over the coming months, including guest speakers, groups of high school students, and several CIC classes. These visits will provide opportunities to share the lab’s work, engage with new audiences, and inspire interest in biometrics research.
In the month of March 2025, the BaUX Lab ran three research projects with 99 participants, hosted seven class visits, consulted two faculty research projects, gave four lab presentations, had two new client meetings, and provided two internal training sessions.
The lab not only supports CIC faculty and students' research but also plays a crucial role in undergraduate recruitment by actively participating in all CIC Admitted Students Days.
In the month of January 2025, the BaUX Lab ran seven research projects with six participants, hosted one guest group and two lab tours, gave one lab presentation, and provided one internal training session.
The BaUX lab welcome Katie Kevey, iSchool undergraduate student, to serve as the undergraduate intern in the lab. Katie will work closely with Dr. Taylor Wen and Cindy Chen to support faculty and student research in the BaUX lab.
2024 News
In the months of October and November, the BaUX Lab ran seven research projects with 132 participants, hosted three class visits and three guest groups, consulted three faculty research projects, gave three lab presentations, and provided four internal training sessions.
Some highlights of the lab in these two monthes include hosting the visit of the Carolina Autism and Neurodevelopment Research Center, 20 Associate Professors from Garnet & Black Associate Professors Program by Office of the Provost, a high school tour, and Dr. Paul Bolls’ visit from Washington State University.
New Aurora eye tracker and External Processor Unit purchased and installed for ongoing and coming projects. New voice analysis feature is ready for data collection.
In the month of September, the BaUX Lab ran one research project with two participant, hosted two class visits and two new client meetings, consulted one faculty research, and gave five lab presentations.
The most updated Lab Guidelines and Procedures can be found on the CIC website. The lab anticipates high usage demand starting in October. If you wish to use the lab for your biometrics research, please email bauxlab@sc.edu to reserve your spot.
The BaUX Lab has resumed normal operations following the flooding incident in Davis. Tests conducted by the lab team in early August confirmed that all biometric devices are functioning properly. Although one of the testing laptops may have been affected by water damage, efforts are underway to secure all data from previous studies. The lab has an additional backup laptop and is transferring both licenses and data to it. Regarding the VR room, the desktop and VR eye tracker are operating correctly and maintaining good conditions. The lab team plans to conduct further tests to ensure the software is updated and that data collection proceeds seamlessly. The lab welcomed the visit of Ruth Avidar, Ph.D., on Aug. 28.
In the month of April, the BaUX lab ran 2 research projects with 86 participants, hosted 2 guest visits, and gave 2 lab presentations.
During the summer, the BaUX lab experiences a period of transition while staying on call for any requests. We appreciate the service of Ali Zain who will graduate in August and will start a tenure-track faculty position at Arizona State University. Cindy Chen will be the lab coordinator for the 2024-2025 academic year. Cindy has been trained and well prepared for her new role.
The lab hosted a tour for Chernoff Newman in June. More collaborations are expected to come.
In the month of March, the BaUX lab ran one research project with 31 participants, hosted two class visits and three guests, gave three lab presentations, and provided one training.
The lab held an Open House with a special emphasis on VR technologies this month and has set up technologies for fEMG and ECG analysis.
In the month of February, the BaUX lab ran one research projects with ten participants,
hosted one class visit, gave six lab presentations, provided two trainings as well
as met one new client. The lab presentations were delivered to group both inside and
outside of the CIC, including visual communication students, students from Public
Health, groups of high school students, etc.
The BaUX team will host an VR-related event for faculty and students across campus
on March 20th.
In the month of January, the BaUX lab ran three research projects with three participants, hosted three guest visits, gave two lab presentations, as well as met one new client.
The BaUX team gave a lab tour to the SC-CATER on Jan 17. Taylor Wen gave a presentation to introduce the lab’s technologies. Both teams exchanged different possible collaboration ideas and opportunities. Taylor Wen and Ali Zain also gave a lab tour to a group of seven visitors from the South Carolina Research Authority (SCRA) on Jan 31.
Rachel Williams and Dora Stryffeler will host a VR game night for CIC students in the lab on Feb 15. The BaUX team is planning for an VR-related event for faculty and students across campus in late March.