Dr. Eugene Ohu
Associate Professor & Director, Virtual Human Computer Interaction Lab
Leading research at the intersection of psychology and technology to enhance human wellbeing and productivity through innovative solutions.
Research Impact
Virtual Reality & Immersive Tech
Exploring the use of VR for learning, perspective-taking, and eliciting greater empathy and compassion. Led randomized controlled trials with over 1,080 adolescents across Nigeria and Kenya—the largest VR empathy intervention study with adolescents in Africa. Investigating how immersive technologies can predict and manage mental health conditions in various settings.
Character & Wellbeing
Researching how technology can teach virtues and character strengths, with a focus on positive psychology and human flourishing. Understanding cognitive aspects of human factors in technology use.
Work-Life Balance
Investigating how humans can navigate and find balance between multiple roles in a computer-mediated workplace, while maintaining wellbeing and productivity.
Recent Research Projects
Meta Research Grant (2022 - 2024)
Principal Investigator on a research grant from Meta Platforms, Inc. exploring how virtual reality can reduce ethnic discrimination and enhance empathy and compassion among adolescents in Nigeria and Kenya.
Learn More →Templeton Research Grant (2020 - 2025)
Leading a $233,918 project funded by Templeton World Charity Foundation using VR games to teach empathy and compassion to adolescents in Nigeria and Kenya.
Learn More →J-PAL JOI Grant (2022 - 2025)
Investigating the impact of mental health therapy on job creation and business outcomes in youth and female-led enterprises in Nigeria ($75,000 grant).
Learn More →Recognition & Impact
Prestigious Grants
Recipient of major grants from Meta (2022-24), Templeton World Charity Foundation (2020-25), and J-PAL (2022-25) supporting groundbreaking research initiatives.
NiRA .ng Awards
Founder of Netorb Media, three times recognized (2017, 2018, 2019) with yearly .ng awards (Silver category) by the Nigeria Internet Registration Association (NiRA).
Academic Recognition
Published in top-tier journals such as the Journal of Applied Psychology, Journal of Occupational Health Psychology, Journal of Vocational Behavior, and Computers in Human Behavior, demonstrating significant academic impact through citations worldwide.
APA Editor's Choice Award
Recognized by the American Psychological Association with an Editor's Choice Award (2023) for the cross-cultural work-family study in the Journal of Applied Psychology.
IEEE VR 2026
Paper published in the proceedings of the IEEE Conference on Virtual Reality and 3D User Interfaces (IEEE VR 2026) reporting the largest VR empathy intervention study with adolescents in Africa.