Geodynamics

Phillip Ruscica

Phillip Ruscica is a PhD student at the University of Toronto, Canada, whose research explores how immersive virtual reality can advance science communication, education, and research in the earth and environmental sciences. His work spans both the hardware and software of VR, from capturing real outcrops and specimens as measurable three-dimensional records to building interactive environments that let learners walk through geological processes across space and time. He co-founded and built the DPES HIVE, a 40-headset facility for teaching and research at scale.

Bridging the Gap: How Virtual Reality is Helping the Next Generation of Geoscientists

Phillip Ruscica and edited by Andreia Hamid September 16, 2026

Deciphering Earth’s geological history is no easy feat. For undergraduate students beginning their journey in geology, identifying a rock and drawing connections with relevant geodynamic processes occurring over millions of years can be a challenge. In this week’s blog post, Phillip Ruscia explains how virtual reality (VR) and the High Immersion Virtual Experiences (HIVE) research lab at the Unive ...[Read More]