Agenda 2026

Special Thanks

We would like to extend our heartfelt gratitude to everyone who contributed to the success of Sandia’s 8th Annual XR Conference. Your dedication, hard work, and unwavering support were instrumental in bringing this event to life.

Conference Etiquette

This conference is at the Unclassified Unlimited Release (UUR) level, and is open to all. Keep in mind that, as we’re going forward over the next few days to keep commentary and questions at that open level.

Links to these videos and recordings will be made available after the conference has ended (for those presenters who have given consent). All times listed are in MST.

Tuesday, July 21, 2026 (Virtual/Microsoft Teams Only)

Time (MST)Presentation TitlePresenter(s)Organization
9:00 AMWelcomeDebora Frinke (Deputy Laboratories Director), Jenn Troup (Senior Manager)Sandia National Labs
9:03 AMOpening RemarksMatthew Gallegos, Shane Bramley, Tony AlbertiSandia National Labs
9:05 AMUnity Keynote: Powering Next Generation XR – Performance, Presence, and Precision for the Missions That Matter using UnityGary HausUnity
9:15 AMSandia Leadership InterviewDeborah Frincke (Deputy Laboratories Director) interviewed by Jenn Troup (Senior Manager) Sandia National Labs
9:22 AMNext-Generation Facility Modeling: Synergizing LiDAR, Design Software, and Virtual TwinsMatt PachecoSandia National Labs
9:30 AMAugRe: Augmented Environment to Facilitate Human-Robot TeamingFrank Regal, Corrie Van SiceThe University of Texas at Austin
9:45 AMSight2Sheet: From Mixed Reality Walkthrough to Structured Inspection Record via On-Device Computer VisionMohammed RashadUniversity of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign
10:00 AMHuman-machine interfaces for constructionFernando MoreuUniversity of New Mexico
10:15 AMHuman Centered Design Approaches to Tackle Data-Overload in XR Command CentersUtkarsh Dwivedi, Hanuma Teja MaddaliHeadwall Inc.
10:30 AMBreak
10:45 AMVirtual Frontlines: Advancing Wildland Firefighter Training with Immersive VRRyan Salway, Dan Otero, Jennifer VanBerschot, Tim YurkiewiczNorthrop Grumman Corporation, USDA Forest Service
11:00 AMFrom 3D Site Scans to Autonomy: Digital Twin Fusion for Next-Generation Physical Security Technology StacksAiden Shoppel, Matt Ahlrichs, Michael MardikesSandia National Labs
11:15 AMAR/VR for the WarfighterKyle Batchelor, Ysenia Diaz-MilletNSWC IHD
11:30 AMORION and XR TechnologyMatthew Gallegos, Shane Bramley, Tony AlbertiSandia National Labs
12:00 PMCognitive-Aware Adaptive Autonomy: An XR-Digital Twin Framework for Human–Robot CollaborationAsraful ApuNew Mexico Institute of Mining and Technology
12:15 PMCTH Visualization in ORION VRJonathan BurnSandia National Labs
12:30 PMVisualization of Ionizing Radiation through Virtual and Augmented Reality for Robotics and Nuclear EducationFabian ParraUniversity of Texas
12:45 PMXR-DT: Extended Reality-Enhanced Digital Twin for Safe Motion Planning via Human-Aware Model Predictive Path Integral ControlTianyi WangThe University of Texas at Austin
1:00 PMCross-Domain XR Digital Twins for Workforce Training: Applications in Hospitality Operations and Courtroom ProceduresTharun ThiyagarajanHusson University
1:15 PMSecure XR, AR, and AI Without the Cloud: The Potential for On-Premise Data CentersAmy GileSilverdraft Computing, A Mechdyne Partner
1:30 PMUnity Asset Manager Pilot Deployment at SandiaWes HarricksonSandia National Labs
1:45 PMSandia’s Extended Reality Engineering Visualization (XREV) CapabilitiesRuby Ta, Jack CaycedoSandia National Labs
2:00 PMXR OpusLauren SpeerKCNSC
2:15 PMOpenCIVAN: A WebXR-Based Collaborative Immersive Analytics Platform for Scientific Data VisualizationFahim Arsad NafisGeorge Mason University
2:30 PMExplorations of Psychophysical Feedback in Virtual EnvironmentsBradly AliceaUniversity of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign
2:45 PM3DGS for Large Scene Reality CaptureNicholas WrightSandia National Labs
3:00 PMModeling Physical Perception in Virtual InteractionsElyse ChaseRice University / University of Houston
3:15 PMOpen Panel DiscussionModerators: Brandon Klein, Nadine Miner

Panelists: Matt Gallegos, Jenn Troup, Gary Haus, Carl Culbertson, Mitch Pryor		Sandia National Labs, Unity, Mechdyne, The University of Texas at Austin
3:45 PMVisualizing HPC Datasets with the Galaxy XR HeadsetBrad CarveySandia National Labs
4:00 PMUnity Breakout Session: Accelerating the Digital Thread with Unity IndustryLeo NguyenUnity
4:45 PMEnd of Day 1 (Virtual Session)

Wednesday, July 22, 2026 (In-Person Presentations at Steve Schiff Auditorium)

10:00 AM – 2:00 PM (MST)

REMINDER: This portion of the conference is for those with valid Kirtland Air Force Base access or those who can obtain base access through a sponsor.

If you do not meet the criteria above, please work with your Sandia sponsor/POC if you would like to attend the in-person demonstrations as you will need a valid visitor pass.

DemoPresenter(s)Organization
ORIONMatthew Gallegos, Shane Bramley, Tony AlbertiSandia National Labs
AR/VR for the Warfighter Kyle Batchelor, Ysenia Diaz-MilletNSWC IHD
Secure XR, AR, and AI Without the Cloud: The Potential for On-Premise Data CentersCarl Culbertson, Gary QuasebarthSilverdraft Computing, A Mechdyne Partner
AugRe: Augmented Environment to Facilitate Human-Robot Teaming Frank Regal, Corrie Van SiceThe University of Texas at Austin
Unity Asset Manager Pilot Deployment at SandiaWes HarricksonSandia National Labs
Sandia’s Extended Reality Engineering Visualization (XREV) CapabilitiesRuby Ta and Jack CaycedoSandia National Labs
Next-Generation Facility Modeling: Synergizing LiDAR, Design Software, and Virtual TwinsMatt Pacheco
Sandia National Labs
Visualizing HPC Datasets with the Galaxy XR Headset Brad CarveySandia National Labs