Orlando, FL — August 2026 — Design Interactive’s (DI) Founder and Chief Research Officer, Dr. Kay Stanney, has been selected for induction into the National Center for Simulation (NCS) 2026 Modeling & Simulation (M&S) Hall of Fame, recognizing more than three decades of pioneering contributions to immersive and human-centered simulation.
Established in 2014 through a partnership between NCS and Orange County Government, the M&S Hall of Fame recognizes individuals whose accomplishments have made a lasting impact on the modeling, simulation, and training industry. With her induction, Dr. Stanney joins a distinguished group of 47 individuals whose contributions have helped shape and advance the M&S field.
Throughout her career, Dr. Stanney has helped shape how simulation technologies are designed around the people who use them. Her foundational research on simulator sickness, perception, and cognitive workload has influenced simulation design across defense, healthcare, aviation, and commercial industries. Her work has also advanced the use of neurophysiological sensing, adaptive human-machine teaming, AI-driven assessment, eye tracking, and digital twins to better understand human performance and improve training and operational readiness.
Dr. Stanney’s contributions to the field extend across research, academia, and industry. She edited the Handbook of Virtual Environments in 2002 and 2014, co-founded the first International Conference on Virtual Reality, and helped establish the first technical societies devoted to virtual reality and augmented cognition within the Human Factors and Ergonomics Society (HFES). She was elected to the National Academy of Engineering in 2019 for her contributions to human factors engineering through virtual reality technology and strategic leadership and was inducted into the inaugural IEEE Virtual Reality Academy in 2022. Most recently, Stanney was inducted into the AWE XR Hall of Fame in May of 2026, recognizing her pioneering contributions to XR, simulation, human-systems integration, and immersive technology safety and standards.
In 1998, Dr. Stanney founded Design Interactive in Central Florida, growing the company from a one-person consultancy into an organization dedicated to improving human performance through emerging technology. For nearly 30 years, DI has remained an active part of Central Florida’s modeling and simulation community, supporting Department of War and other Federal programs, contributing impactful research, and human-centered solutions that have informed industry standards and technology roadmaps in the areas of Digital Transformation, Extended Reality, and Human Systems Integration.
“Kay’s influence on the modeling and simulation community extends far beyond any single technology or research area,” said Tim Hill, President and CEO of Design Interactive. “For decades, she has challenged our industry to think differently about how we design technology around the people who ultimately depend on it. That philosophy is woven into everything we do at Design Interactive and continues to shape how we approach some of the most complex human performance challenges today. This recognition is incredibly well deserved, and we are proud to see Kay’s contributions and lasting impact on the M&S community honored in this way.”
Dr. Stanney will be formally inducted during the 2026 M&S Hall of Fame ceremony on September 30, 2026, at the Hall of Fame display in the Orange County Convention Center’s South Concourse in Orlando, Florida.
About Design Interactive
Design Interactive (DI) is a leader in digital transformation, combining innovative design, advanced technology, and human factors expertise to enhance performance and readiness. For nearly 30 years, DI has pioneered cutting-edge research and generative AI applications to create spatial computing solutions that optimize human-systems interaction. From immersive training to intelligent performance support, DI empowers organizations to modernize learning, streamline operations, and drive measurable impact across complex, mission-critical environments.
About NCS
The National Center for Simulation operates as a nonprofit trade association and open consortium, bringing together government, academic, and industry members to advance modeling and simulation technology. NCS focuses on helping MS&T innovation grow, supporting favorable public policies, developing the MS&T workforce, and expanding the industrial base that drives this important sector forward.