As a Senior Human Factors Scientist at the University of South Florida’s Center for Advanced Medical Learning and Simulation (CAMLS) and an Assistant Professor in the Department of Medical Education, my work is dedicated to advancing healthcare education through simulation-based training. My research focuses on leveraging technologies to increase learning outcomes, thereby improving the access to and quality of healthcare training.    

I have made significant scholarly contributions to the field of immersive training technologies. My efforts have secured over $2 million in research grants, resulting in numerous peer-reviewed publications and presentations at national and international conferences. My success in obtaining funding has enabled collaborations with diverse institutions, including with government organizations, small businesses, and academic medical centers. These collaborations extend my work beyond academia into practical applications and industry advancements.    

My commitment to service and advancing human factors is demonstrated through my mentoring activities, where I frequently share my expertise through invited talks at universities, hospital health professions programs, and medical associations nationwide. I mentor a diverse group of students, including medical students, biomedical engineering doctoral candidates, and graduate students in computer science, instructional design, and psychology, leading to numerous international presentations and peer-reviewed publications in healthcare simulation.  

USF Faculty Profile

Dr. Byeol (Star) Kim is a Senior Human-Centered Computing Scientist at the USF Health CAMLS and an Assistant Professor in the Department of Medical Engineering at the USF Morsani College of Medicine. She earned her Ph.D. in Mechanical Engineering from Johns Hopkins University, where she developed pioneering VR-based surgical planning systems for congenital heart disease. She also holds an M.S. in Mechanical Engineering and a B.S. in Bioengineering (with a minor in International Engineering) from the University of Maryland, College Park

Her research integrates Extended Reality (VR/AR), Human-Centered Medical Systems, Machine Learning, and 3D Printing to develop innovative solutions that improve patient care, medical training, and surgical planning. Dr. Kim’s work includes creating virtual reality surgical planning software that enables the design and 3D printing of patient-specific cardiac grafts, developing adaptive XR rehabilitation and therapy systems that personalize treatment through real-time physiological assessment, and advancing AI-driven patient simulation platforms to enhance healthcare education. She holds an international patent for her cardiac surgical planning technology and has led projects funded by TEDCO’s Maryland Innovation Initiative

In addition to her academic achievements, Dr. Kim has partnered with private industry leaders to bridge the gap between research and application. During her time as Co-Founder and CEO of CorFix Medical, she directed the development of VR-based surgical planning tools, supported by a patent and Maryland Innovation Initiative funding, representing a step toward advancing surgical care. She also served as a Management Consultant with McKinsey & Company, advising Fortune 500 clients on business strategy and innovation across multiple industries. These experiences honed her ability to translate research into scalable, real-world impact while fostering cross-disciplinary collaboration

At CAMLS, Dr. Kim’s goal is to pioneer human-centered, data-driven medical technologies that transform healthcare systems and improve outcomes by uniting cutting-edge engineering, clinical practice, and industry innovation.

Dr. Devid Zille is a Maxillofacial Surgeon and internationally recognized expert in 3D modeling, additive manufacturing, and patient-specific implants. He serves as Director of the TGH USF Health 3D Visualization and Printing Lab, a unique partnership between Tampa General Hospital (TGH), the USF Health Department of Radiology, and USF Health CAMLS, and holds a faculty appointment as Assistant Professor in the USF Morsani College of Medicine Department of Radiology.

Originally from Brazil, Dr. Zille earned his Doctor of Dental Surgery degree with honors from the University of Brasília and completed his residency in Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery at Base Hospital, Brasília, followed by a fellowship at John Peter Smith Hospital in Dallas, Texas. His career spans leadership roles in both clinical and industry settings, including Director of Applied Innovations and Chief Medical Officer in companies across the United States and Brazil, as well as Director of an Additive Manufacturing Lab at Sírio-Libanês Hospital, one of Brazil’s largest hospitals.

Dr. Zille brings advanced expertise in 3D printing, Design for Additive Manufacturing (DfAM), virtual surgical planning, maxillofacial surgery, and 3D modeling. He has extensive technical proficiency with a wide range of industry-leading platforms. These specialized skills enable him to integrate clinical insight with cutting-edge engineering tools to design innovative surgical solutions, optimize implant design, and enhance surgical accuracy through patient-specific applications.

He has authored numerous patents, peer-reviewed publications, and global projects advancing surgical innovation. At CAMLS, his research continues to push the boundaries of technology-enabled healthcare, combining engineering and clinical expertise to improve patient outcomes.

Colleen Reiner, EdM, PMP, is a leader in educational program development and research dissemination, with over 20 years of experience designing and implementing transformative learning initiatives. She specializes in developing workforce-aligned education programs, integrating emerging technologies into curriculum design, and translating research into scalable, high-impact learning solutions. Throughout her career, she has worked at the intersection of education, technology, and industry collaboration, ensuring that innovative educational strategies effectively bridge the gap between knowledge creation and real-world application. 

As Director of Education & Research Administration at the University of South Florida’s (USF) Center for Advanced Medical Learning & Simulation (CAMLS), Colleen provides strategic leadership in developing, implementing, and evaluating educational programs that support healthcare training, professional development, and workforce readiness. She has designed, launched, and managed a wide range of educational programs, including competency-based training courses, continuing education programs, and interdisciplinary learning initiatives that integrate simulation, instructional technologies, and experiential learning. Her expertise in curriculum development, faculty training, and instructional design ensures that educational programs are engaging, evidence-based, and aligned with workforce demands. She has successfully secured funding, developed partnerships, and led interdisciplinary teams to expand innovative learning opportunities across academic and professional settings.  

In addition to her work in program development, Colleen is deeply committed to advancing creative methods of research dissemination, ensuring that federally funded projects reach diverse audiences and drive meaningful impact. She has pioneered open educational resources, including MOOCs, educational multimedia, and digital learning platforms, to translate complex research findings into accessible, engaging content for students, educators, and policymakers. Her work in immersive learning experiences, citizen science initiatives, and hands-on community activities has fostered interdisciplinary collaboration, bringing scientific discovery into public spaces and expanding its societal influence.  

By integrating simulation-based education, digital storytelling, and transdisciplinary partnerships, she enhances the accessibility, sustainability, and applicability of research findings across sectors. These approaches not only amplify the reach of federally funded research but also equip learners with the technical, analytical, and problem-solving skills necessary for workforce development. Through her continued work in educational program development and research dissemination, Colleen remains dedicated to designing innovative learning experiences that prepare learners for the evolving demands of the future workforce.