Albert “Skip” Rizzo has spent over three decades at the forefront of clinical virtual reality, transforming how immersive technology is used to diagnose, treat, and rehabilitate psychological and cognitive conditions. As Director of Medical Virtual Reality at USC’s Institute for Creative Technologies, he is best known for developing BRAVEMIND, a VR exposure therapy system for PTSD, deployed in over 150 clinical sites.

 

His work spans diverse areas including autism, ADHD, traumatic brain injury, stroke, and cognitive decline, and has helped to advance evidence-based applications in both mental and physical health. His innovations also include virtual human patients for clinical training and social simulations for neurodiverse individuals.

 

With more than 370 publications, numerous awards including the IEEE VR Lifetime Achievement Award, and a legacy of mentorship and public advocacy,Skip’s contributions have helped to redefine how immersive technologies can be harnessed to heal, train, and empower.