News & Press

Tuesday, June 11, 2024

Simulated Psychedelic Immersive Experience (SI-PHI): Healthcare Intervention for Depression...Led by Mohini Ranganathan, MBBS with team members Kimberly Hieftje, PhD; Asher Marks, MD; and Jose Cortes-Briones, PhD. SI-PHI is a cutting-edge tool using hi-definition, immersive visuals and audio to create a simulation of the effects of psychedelic medications to treat depression. SI-PHI hopes to provide the benefits of psychedelic medications without the side effects that make them difficult for patients to tolerate. The potential impact of using extended reality interventions is significant given the large patient population who may benefit, while avoiding the high costs and challenges associated with medications. In addition to winning a YNHHS Innovation Award, the team also pitched and won a prestigious Blavatnik Accelerator Award at the Summit receiving an additional $30,000 to further advance their innovation.

Wednesday, April 3, 2024

The XRPeds team traveled to San Francisco at the end of March to attend the 2024 Game Developers Conference, attending talks, meeting with new connections and longtime colleagues, and learning lots - plus a bike ride over the Golden Gate Bridge!

Thursday, February 8, 2024

We had the privilege of hosting Fox61 News at our lab to feature ‘Invite Only VR: A Vaping Prevention Game.’ It is so inspiring to see our project make a difference in addressing the critical issue of teen vaping!

Friday, December 1, 2023

Yale researchers are trying a new way to fight youth marijuana use and vaping addiction: a virtual reality video game.

XRPeds is a Yale research group, founded in 2020, that uses virtual reality, or VR, to address pediatric health challenges. On Nov. 20 the project team announced that it is developing “ReHashed,” a new VR game that teaches students refusal skills, how to help others quit and the health consequences of marijuana vaping. The game will be implemented in three Connecticut schools in 2024.

Monday, October 9, 2023

XR Pediatrics was thrilled to host the Inaugural Virtual Reality and Pediatrics Healthcare Symposium on September 19 and 20 at the Yale West Campus in West Haven, CT, in partnership with the International Virtual Reality and Healthcare Association. This two-day symposium featured talks and demos from more than 30 leaders in care, technology, research, and policy.

Wednesday, May 24, 2023

Abigail Crocker, a master's student at Yale School of Nursing, recently joined XR Peds as a student collaborator. Her previous career in journalism and interest in the intersections between medicine, media, and tech make her an insightful addition to the team.

Saturday, May 20, 2023

XR Peds Co-Director Dr. Asher Marks and Collaborator Amanda Garbatini were recently featured in a new video published by Yale Medicine focusing on their work using VR Support Groups in adolescent cancer populations.

Tuesday, May 16, 2023

XR Pediatrics Postgraduate Associate Joshua Rigsby presented at UCONN mHealth's 7th Annual Conference. His video poster focuses on our project, No Time Wasted, an Alcohol Harm Reduction game.

Thursday, May 4, 2023

We've been busy these last few months! See what's new at XR Pediatrics in our May Newsletter!

Monday, April 10, 2023

XR Pediatrics is one of six recipients of the 2023 Unity For Humanity Grant. Our project, "The Year of The Cicadas" is a virtual reality experience following a mother’s journey to find meaning after the loss of her son. We can't wait to share more about this very special and personal project with you!