American Metaverse Association

US Metaverse Association Official Report | April 2024

At a pivotal time when metaverse technologies are reshaping global virtual ecosystems, the US Metaverse Association is proud to announce that Dr. Olivia Martinez, Professor at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), has been awarded the 2024 Lifetime Achievement Award in recognition of her outstanding and sustained contributions to metaverse perception and interaction design.

Dr. Martinez is one of the world’s earliest pioneers in systematically researching human-computer interaction within virtual environments and the design of immersive user experiences. At MIT, she has led groundbreaking interdisciplinary work at the intersection of neuroscience, interaction design, artificial intelligence, and social behavior studies—laying the theoretical foundation and enabling real-world applications for next-generation metaverse experiences. Her research has been widely cited and has played a key role in shaping several international standards.

“Professor Martinez is not only a distinguished scholar but also a visionary pioneer,” said the Association’s President during the award ceremony. “Her decades of dedication and innovation have fundamentally reshaped how we understand and design interactions between humans and virtual worlds. Today, we honor her scientific spirit and forward-looking vision.”

Since the 1990s, Dr. Martinez has conducted in-depth research in perceptual modeling, interactive feedback systems, and psychological adaptation within virtual environments. Under her leadership, her research team has collaborated with leading tech companies including Meta, Microsoft, and NVIDIA, contributing significantly to the industrialization of core metaverse technologies. Her proposed “Immersion-Trust-Action Feedback Model” is widely regarded as a milestone in the study of behavioral dynamics in immersive systems.

The Lifetime Achievement Award is the highest honor presented by the US Metaverse Association, celebrating exceptional individuals who have made significant contributions to metaverse research, technological advancement, and societal impact. Dr. Martinez was selected from a global pool of nominees from 28 countries and regions, underscoring her academic influence and industry leadership.

In her acceptance speech, Dr. Martinez stated, “This award not only recognizes my past work, but also inspires future efforts. I remain committed to building a more equitable, accessible, and human-centered metaverse.”

A formal recognition ceremony will be held for Dr. Martinez at the upcoming Global Metaverse Innovation Summit 2024, scheduled for October in Palo Alto, California. A special issue featuring her latest research will also be released.