John Velez

My research examines the benefits of video games not only as an entertainment medium but as tools that help solve common issues in the areas of education, healthcare, social movements, and workplace environments. My research can be broadly divided into the interpersonal, mental well-being, and learning benefits of video games/interactive media.

I run a lab group named Mindless Electron Lab (MEL) that is comprised of undergraduate and graduate students interested in interactive media and media psychology broadly. We collectively work on one major project per semester and the remaining time is spent helping lab members with their individual projects by testing stimuli, brainstorming ideas, troubleshooting problems, and helping collect data.