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Daniel Pimentel, UF CJC Class of 2011

Daniel Pimentel is a man with a vision — in virtual-reality, that is.

Pimentel works at the University of Florida Media Effects and Technology Lab, where he researches the effects of virtual reality (VR) on pain perception. He is doing this while earning his Ph.D. in Mass Communications at the College of Journalism and Communications, which he expects to complete in 2020.

He is also a UF CJC alumnus — he received his bachelor’s in advertising with a minor in business administration in 2011. Afterward, Pimentel went on to earn his master’s degree in global communication from Florida International University.

As a UF undergraduate, Pimentel, who is half Dominican and half Colombian, served as a member of the Hispanic Student Association and was the advertising director of UF’s Hispanic Heritage Month.

“Through these opportunities of networking and help with faculty as well, I landed a couple of internships,” he said. “UF always gave me an outlet. It gave me a lot of opportunities.”

At his job at the lab, Pimentel conducts experimental research on how VR simulations can contribute to mental, physical and environmental well-being. One recent field experiment tested the effects of a VR simulation on pain perception among individuals receiving a tattoo.

His work has provided the 29-year-old Miramar native with more opportunities to expand his network with people, including fellow Latinos, who are industry experts.

“Through this lab, I ended up meeting people like Cathy Hackl, who’s like the biggest influencer in mixed-reality and Latinas in tech,” Pimentel said.

Pimentel also plans to submit a research paper to the2019 CHI PLAY conference with research he conducted in collaboration with other Gainesville researchers.

CHI PLAY is the international and interdisciplinary conference for researchers and professionals across all areas of play, games and human-computer interactions, according to its website.