The Minds Behind OpenMindXR
Tom Hummer
CO-FOUNDER
Dr. Hummer is the Co-Founder and Chief Science Officer of OpenMindXR. He brings expertise in neuroscience and psychology, along with 15 years of scientific research investigating how digital media can impact children’s brains.
At OpenMindXR, he directs research efforts to assess and improve how well our products meet families’ needs and address children’s mental health. He works to ensure that OpenMindXR’s tools are built on sound scientific principles, integrating the latest understanding of brain development, media neuroscience, and psychiatric health.
Zebulun Wood
CO-FOUNDER
Mr. Wood is the Co-Founder and Chief Technology Officer of OpenMindXR. He is also a Senior Lecturer of the Media Arts and Sciences Program (MAS) at Indiana University Indianapolis. He brings hands-on expertise and leadership experience in 3D content creation in the form of digital environments, digital avatars, and animation.
He oversees OpenMindXR’s technological developments, embracing the latest hardware and software advancements to provide realistic, immersive experiences to our users. He understands the exciting potential of virtual reality and augmented reality to help users of all ages, and he is energized by the challenge of creating hi-tech, adaptive programs that remain easy-to-use and enjoyable for children.
Research
Melissa Hord
Dr. Hord has specialized in working with youth with ADHD and disruptive behavior disorders for over 15 years. Dr. Hord considers herself a behaviorist and enjoys the challenge of learning the underlying meaning behind behavior so that those needs can be addressed in a positive, consistent manner. It is truly a rewarding experience to see youth turn things around to have happy, healthy relationships.
At OpenMindXR, Dr. Hord is providing guidance about evidence-based therapy practices so that the team can convert the traditional one-on-one approach to the OpenMindXR’s virtual reality platform that can reach many more children.
Luke Stanton Livingston
Mr. Livingston is a Research Coordinator and Research Operations Lead at OpenMindXR, bringing experience in biomedical research and clinical trials alongside a background in science education.
At OpenMindXR, he coordinates the planning and execution of research that supports the company’s clinical and product development efforts. As the company’s first full‑time research hire, he works closely with leadership to design studies, manage participant recruitment and IRB processes, and translate research findings into practical insights—helping ensure OpenMindXR’s immersive technologies are evidence‑based, ethical, and centered on real families’ needs.
Engineering
Kevin Miller
Kevin Miller holds a master’s degree in media arts and science from Indiana University. He is a technical artist specializing in pipelines, art tools, and virtual reality. He has been working in 3D since the early 2000s, and can code in C, C++, C#, and several other programming languages.
In the past, Kevin has worked on fire control radar in the US Navy, managed large computer networks in the nonprofit sector, and played the guitar in bands. His research interests are motion capture, virtual reality, game development, and machine learning.
Drennen Dooms
Drennen Dooms is a software developer working primarily in Unity and C#. He has experience building game systems, UI frameworks, and interactive applications, along with a background teaching game development and programming.
At OpenMindXR, he works on core application systems and VR interactions, focusing on building stable, scalable features and turning design concepts into working implementations. His work includes interaction systems, UI, and general architecture, with an emphasis on keeping things maintainable and performant as the project grows.
Michael Moore
Michael Moore is a software engineer with experience working in the Unity game engine, his languages of choice being C# and C++. He has worked on a variety of projects, including a networked interactive VR experience and a 3D spatial planning tool. He is also currently working for the military to develop their flight simulators, and in his free time he works on his personal game projects, creates art, and plays the drums.
Michael is a recent addition to the team at OpenMindXR, and he has begun work on streamlining content delivery using Unity features and the cloud service Microsoft Azure. He is enthusiastic about improving mental health through technology and is excited to be a part of the team.
Game Design
Imani Peters
Imani Peters is a game designer at OpenmindXR. She holds a B.S. in Game Design and Development and has spent over 4 years building interactive experiences. With over a decade of experience as a digital artist, she brings a strong visual and creative foundation to every project she works on.
Imani enjoys working across disciplines, combining art, development, and design to bring ideas to life. She is passionate about crafting fun, meaningful experiences for everyone.
Haven Hamelin
Heya, I’m Haven, a game designer and web developer passionate about the history and culture of video games and contemporary media. I graduated from IU Indy, where I honed my ability to create intentional, interactive experiences through both academic and personal projects. My work focuses on using modern technology to create enriching experiences.
Samuel Barks
Samuel Barks is a narrative designer with a focus on world-building and dialogue. He has experience writing scripts for a multitude of video game projects, traditional short films, and stage plays.
Sam will be working with OpenMindXR to create more narrative structure within the project’s user-facing applications. This will help create a story that connects with families and becomes a journey that is memorable for years to come.
Production
Julie Sauvage
Julie Sauvage is a motion capture animator at OpenMindXR, where she refines performance capture data into production-ready animation. She focuses on translating raw motion into expressive and believable character performances.
She is also a 3D animator and FX artist with an interest in visual effects and dynamic simulations. Her work explores the combination of animation and VFX, with a focus on creating believable effects that support and enhance storytelling.
Aidan Faas
Musician based in Canada composing home-made music since 2011. Beginning with LittleBigPlanet 2’s music sequencer and moving to FL Studio in 2016. Experimenting with a myriad of genres and styles of from chiptune to hip-hop, hardcore punk to orchestral scores, ambient, breakbeat and everything in-between. Part of the musician/artist collective hometronica. Currently releasing music under multiple aliases including hyenaedon, Gibbons of Ganymede, feldmark and more.
Louie Whitesel
Louie Whitesel is a 3D Environment Artist and graduate of Indiana University Indianapolis, where they earned a degree in Media Arts and Science. At Openmind XR, Louie focuses on look development for characters and immersive 3D environments, helping bring creative concepts to life with thoughtful design and attention to detail. They also contribute to lighting and Unity implementation, working closely with the development team to ensure that every asset meets a high standard of quality, performance, and visual consistency.
Louie is especially passionate about creating environments that feel meaningful and emotionally engaging spaces that invite curiosity, reflection, and connection. Through careful use of texture, lighting, and composition, they aim to craft experiences that feel tangible and memorable. Outside of their work, Louie enjoys playing video games, cooking, and spending time with their two cats.
Victor Cohen
I’m a technical artist who works on rigging, facial tracking, body tracking, and dynamic animation. I help build the systems that make characters move in a natural way. I also create tools that make animation work faster and smoother for teams. I enjoy solving problems and finding clean, practical solutions. My goal is always to help bring characters to life with clear motion and expressive performances.
Lucy Williamson
Lucy Williamson is a traditional, digital, and 3D artist and animator based in Indianapolis, Indiana. She currently works as a motion capture animator at Openmind XR, specializing in refining performance capture data into expressive, production-ready animation.
Her work focuses on character-driven storytelling, with an emphasis on conveying emotion and subtle performance. She has experience in animation, modeling, and texturing, and is particularly interested in film and indie projects that value strong artistic voice and collaboration. Outside of her work, she enjoys puzzles, swimming, video games, and film.
Frank Jeufack
I’m a 3D Visualization Artist who creates clean, high-quality visuals with a focus on lighting and product presentation. I enjoy working on projects like automotive visuals and product ads, bringing ideas to life in a clear and engaging way. I use tools like Maya and Unreal Engine to build and render my work. Lighting is an important part of my process, helping me create mood and guide what the viewer sees. I’m always learning and enjoy working with others to improve and create strong results.
At OpenMind XR, my role mainly focuses on creating assets from reference collection all the way to the final product, which I then pass on to set builders, while also contributing to some set building myself.
Regan Pope
Regan Pope is a 3D Environment Artist at OpenMindXR, bringing proficiency in prop modeling and set dressing. She works to bring an immersive experience for children through friendly and realistic digital environments. With three years of involvement in medical and psychiatric research projects as a digital artist, she helps bridge the gap between aesthetic visuals and engaging learning material.
Consultants
Sarah Alme
Sarah Alme is a user experience leader specializing in AI-powered health technologies. With experience at Apple, Medtronic, and GE Healthcare, she drives human-centered innovation at the intersection of human needs, product strategy, and advanced technical systems.
Sarah is known for building high-performing teams and shaping user-centered approaches that influence both product outcomes and organizational direction. As the founder of Makroz Consulting, she partners with organizations to define UX strategy and AI roadmaps while mentoring leaders to create meaningful, human-centered impact.
Dr. Kevin Berkopes
Dr. Kevin Berkopes is the CEO and Co-Founder of MathTrack Institute, where he leads apprenticeship-based degree and licensure pathways that are reimagining how educators and organizations learn, prepare, and can be certified in practice. His work positions mathematics not simply as computation, but as a creative and humanizing force that helps teachers and students make meaning in a complex world.
Through partnerships with universities, employers, states, and school systems, he is helping build workforce-embedded models of higher education that connect learning, teaching, and real-world application. As the author of The Age of Storytellers, he also advises and collaborates with education and technology startups seeking bold, practice-grounded approaches to innovation, talent development, and emergent system design.
