METIL Staff
METIL Staff
Dr. David Metcalf
As a research faculty member with the University of Central Florida’s Institute for Simulation and Training (UCF IST), Dr. Metcalf continues to bridge the gap between corporate learning and simulation techniques and non-profit and social entrepreneurship with the foundation of the Mixed Emerging Technology Integration Lab (METIL). Simulation, mobilization, outsourcing, visualization systems, and operational excellence are current research topics. Dr. Metcalf frequently presents at industry and research events shaping business strategy and use of technology to improve learning and human performance.
Senior Researcher
With a 15-year history in Web-based and mobile learning, Senior Researcher Dr. David Metcalf combines an academic grounding and continued University involvement with a strong history of industry-centered training and simulation, providing learning innovations for 3Com, Fujitsu, FedEx Ground, Tyco and many others.
Papers
Angela Hamilton
She has led projects for clients such as Microsoft, Google, Johnson & Johnson, and Lowe’s, and has worked closely with the UCF College of Medicine to integrate simulation into the medical curriculum. She has also presented and conducted workshops on mobile learning at industry and academic conferences such as the eLearning Guild, DIA Annual Meeting, I/ITSEC (Best Tutorial Nominee 2010), and SALT. She also served as the Academic Coordinator for mLearn 2009, the Eighth World Conference on Mobile and Contextual Learning.
She holds a B.A. in Digital Media and an M.A. in Technical Communication from the University of Central Florida. Research areas include simulation interventions for topics such as financial literacy, health and wellness, and sustainability; mobile learning and performance support; user-centered design; and narratives and simulations for contextual and situated learning.
Program Lead
Angela Hamilton provides program-level management for METIL’s R&D projects and functional teams (games, instructional, 3D, and technical). In addition to helping shape the METIL research agenda, she focuses on partnership and opportunities development in the healthcare, corporate, academic, military, government, and non-profit domains.
In addition to his artistic contributions, Eakins frequently works as a project manager to ensure quality exceeds expectations and deadlines are met. As a result, Eakins enables the efficient division of tasking and collaboration between companies and within METIL. Eakins is proficient with game engines, as well as multiple software programs for 3D simulation design and graphical illustrations.
Mike Eakins is a graduate of UCF's Digital Media program with additional experience as a technology supervisor and QA tester. Eakins joined METIL in July of 2009 as a 3D animator and flash developer. Since joining the lab Eakins has made numerous contributions to projects with his work on medical and healthcare simulations, interactive decision based simulations and instructional design.
3D Animation Associate
Mike Eakins
Esther Beltran
Dr. Esther Beltran graduated from Medical School at Autonoma University of Barcelona, Spain. She also obtained scholarships in surgical specialties in Scandinavia. She later blended her interest in aerospace and aviation sciences obtaining a Masters Degree in Aerospace Sciences from the University of North Dakota, USA. She moved on to obtain a Doctoral degree in Aerospace Medicine/ Occupational Health from the School of Public Health at the University of Texas-Houston Health Science Center, USA.
Strategic Advisor
As a researcher and medical doctor she worked on the development of Spacewalk protocols for the construction of the International Space Station at NASA-JSC. She also obtained two Amelia Earhart fellowships from Zonta International. Dr. Beltran is an expert of medicine in extreme environments. Also as a diving doctor she has been the medical officer of underwater archaeological expeditions with National Geographic.
She currently serves at University of Central Florida/IST-METIL as Strategic Advisor for Health, Safety and Space sciences. She has developed educational and service programs promoting the study of science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) at almost all educational levels. Her interests are also to enhance the status of women and children worldwide.