About RETRO
RETRO Laboratory is a research and development group housed in The University of Central Florida’s Institute for Simulation & Training. RETRO stands for, “Recent and Emerging Technology Research Organization,” and specializes in the academic study of serious games as well as the canon of virtual/interactive training and learning systems. The lab is co-directed by UCF Faculty members Dr. Janis Cannon-Bowers of IST and Dr. Clint Bowers of UCF Psychology Department blending best practices and innovations in interactive media product development with human-computer interaction psychology seamlessly. Students and professionals across many disciplines compose the teams of researchers and interactive product developers listed here.
 Dr. Janis Cannon-Bowers Dr. Janis Cannon- Bowers, IST Research Professor, RETRO Lab Co-Founder & Co-Director OFFICE: (407) 882-0063
EMAIL: jancb atmail.ucf.edu Dr. Cannon-Bowers holds M.A. and Ph.D. degrees in Industrial/ Organizational Psychology from the University of South Florida, Tampa, FL. As the team leader for Advanced Training Research for the Navy, she was involved in a number of research projects directed toward improving performance in complex environments. These included investigation of training needs and design for multi-operator training systems, tactical decision-making under stress, the impact of technology on learning and performance, training for knowledge-rich environments, human-centered design, human performance modeling and development of knowledge structures underlying higher order skills. At UCF, Dr. Cannon-Bowers is continuing her work in technology-enabled learning and human performance modeling. Her goal is to leverage and transition DoD’s sizable investment in modeling, simulation and training to other areas such as entertainment, workforce development and life-long learning and education. To date, she has been awarded several grants to support this work, including a recent award by the National Science Foundation under their Science of Learning Center program. Dr. Cannon-Bowers has been an active researcher, with over 100 publications in scholarly journals, books and technical reports, and numerous professional presentations. She is a Fellow of the Society of Industrial and Organizational Psychology (Division 14 of the American Psychological Association).
 Dr. Clint Bowers Dr. Clint Bowers, UCF Psychology Professor, RETRO Lab Co-Founder & Co-Director OFFICE: (407) 882-0063
EMAIL: bowers at mail.ucf.edu My chief interest is in the use of technology to facilitate teamwork. This takes several forms. The first includes basic research on the nature of effective teamwork and the factors that influence it. A second research thrust involves the training of teams. I am especially interested in the use of training technologies and simulation in training team skills. Finally, I’m interested in the use of technology to assist teams in their day-to-day tasks. This includes research in information visualization, groupware, and other hardware/software systems. Besides my interest in team performance, I am also involved in several student projects. These include the use of virtual reality to teach deaf children, the neuropsychology of spatial abilities, and the use of warnings to manage predictable non-compliance.
 Danielle Chelles Danielle Chelles, B.A Double Major in Digital Media & Health and Public Affairs, Penn State M.A. Art Education Student, Project Manager & Lead Artist EMAIL: danielle.chelles at gmail.com Danielle is a UCF graduate with a Fine Arts background. She is currently working as the lead graphic artist as well as Project Manager for current Flash minigame projects at UCF RETRO Lab. Danielle’s personal art works include medical illustrations and 3d medical animations.
 Shan Lakhmani Shan Lakhmani, B.A. Psychology, Graduate Research Assistant OFFICE: (407) 882-0063
EMAIL: lakhmanis at gmail.com Shan graduated from Grinnell College with a B.A. in Psychology. He is currently a second year student in the Applied Experimental Human Factors program at UCF. He is thrilled to be working as a research assistant in the RETRO lab. His research interests include teaching, training, and behavioral modification using digital media.
 Corina Lechin Cornia Lechin, B.S Psychology, M.S. Modeling and Simulation, Ph.D. Modeling and Simulation Candidate, Graduate Research Assistant
EMAIL: CorinaLechin at gmail.com I am a Graduate Research Assistant. I have a B.S. in Psychology from UCF, a M.S. in Modeling and Simulation also from UCF and am currently working on my Ph.D. in Modeling and Simulation as well as a certificate in Instructional Design for Modeling and Simulation. I have interest and experience in instructional systems design, situated learning and the use of virtual worlds in education. My experiences and skills include running participants, conducting thorough literature reviews, assisting in journal and proposal writing, and bringing my background in psychology as well as the use of English as a second language. All these have allowed me to collaborate with my colleagues at RETRO. After finishing the Ph.D. degree, I plan on working in the industry world as an Instructional Designer and expand my experience in the field before returning to academia to further pursue my research goals.
 Greg Pardo Greg Pardo, UCF Digital Media Student, Game Designer/Programmer EMAIL: gregpardo at gmail.com Greg is Flash developer currently finishing up his B.A. in the UCF Digital Media program. If he’s not debugging through thousands of lines of code, or dreaming up RETRO’s next game design, you’ll find Greg either surfing at Cocoa Beach or thinking up niche products for future business ventures.
 Katelyn Procci Katelyn Procci, B.S. Psychology, Research Coordinator & Project Manager EMAIL: kprocci at knights.ucf.edu Katelyn graduated from Virginia Commonwealth University in Richmond with a B.S. in Psychology and is now a third-year doctoral student in the Applied Experimental Human Factors program here at UCF. She is currently employed by RETRO as both the research coordinator and the project manager for the lab’s many development projects. Her research interests include effective serious game design, game-based military training, usability, interface design, and game engagement.
 Jenny Vogel Jenny Vogel, UCF Information Technology Student, Administrative Assistant EMAIL: vogel.jennyl at gmail.com Jenny is a junior at UCF studying information technology. She is interested in computers and all technology, especially in design and programming. She has been working at RETRO since February of 2011.
 Benjamin Repkay Benjamin Repkay, UCF Engineering student, Undergraduate Research Assistant EMAIL: benripper1289 at gmail.com Benjamin is currently studying mechanical engineering in his fourth year. He is interested in research bridging the gap between engineering and psychology. He has been working with the RETRO lab since September of 2008.
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