Luis Andrés Puértolas Bálint, PhD
XR Researcher | VR Medical Simulation | Haptics & Robotics
LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/luis-andres-p-793213104
Emal: lapb@protonmail.com
Professional Summary
XR researcher and technical director with over five years of experience designing and commercializing immersive virtual reality medical simulators. Specialized in physical diagnosis training (palpation, auscultation, percussion), haptics, and human–computer interaction, with strong academic foundations in mechanical engineering, computer science, and robotics. Published researcher with hands-on experience delivering XR prototypes for universities and investors.
XR researcher and technical director with over five years of experience designing and commercializing immersive virtual reality medical simulators. Specialized in physical diagnosis training (palpation, auscultation, percussion), haptics, and human–computer interaction, with strong academic foundations in mechanical engineering, computer science, and robotics. Published researcher with hands-on experience delivering XR prototypes for universities and investors.
Professional Experience
Director — Virtualismus (Remote, UK)
Jun 2022 – Present
Founded and lead development and commercialization of a VR medical physical diagnosis suite based on PhD research. Delivered immersive training modules for auscultation, palpation, and percussion. Published and deployed a VR auscultation module on Meta App Lab.
Director — Virtualismus (Remote, UK)
Jun 2022 – Present
Founded and lead development and commercialization of a VR medical physical diagnosis suite based on PhD research. Delivered immersive training modules for auscultation, palpation, and percussion. Published and deployed a VR auscultation module on Meta App Lab.
XR Contractor — Sam Houston State University (Remote, USA)
Oct 2023 – Jan 2024
Designed and delivered multiple XR medical training prototypes for investor demonstrations. Rapid prototyping of immersive medical simulations tailored to stakeholder requirements.
Oct 2023 – Jan 2024
Designed and delivered multiple XR medical training prototypes for investor demonstrations. Rapid prototyping of immersive medical simulations tailored to stakeholder requirements.
Researcher (Freelance) — Accept & Proceed / StreaMr (London, UK / New York, USA)
Mar 2018 – May 2018
Programmed a multi-robot blockchain demonstration for the CONSENSUS 2018 conference. Implemented wireless robot coordination, image processing, and Raspberry Pi–based control systems to represent the UK power grid via physical cubes.
Mar 2018 – May 2018
Programmed a multi-robot blockchain demonstration for the CONSENSUS 2018 conference. Implemented wireless robot coordination, image processing, and Raspberry Pi–based control systems to represent the UK power grid via physical cubes.
Traffic Controller — Volkswagen de México (Puebla, Mexico)
Sep 2010 – Jun 2011
Managed import documentation and logistics workflows for containers arriving from Asia.
Sep 2010 – Jun 2011
Managed import documentation and logistics workflows for containers arriving from Asia.
Logistics Trainee — Volkswagen de México (Puebla, Mexico)
May 2009 – Oct 2009
Analyzed nationwide spare-parts distribution processes, achieving measurable operational savings.
May 2009 – Oct 2009
Analyzed nationwide spare-parts distribution processes, achieving measurable operational savings.
Education
PhD in Mechanical Engineering — Queen Mary University of London 2016 – 2021
MSc in Computer Science — Universidad de las Américas Puebla 2012 – 2014
Beng in Industrial Engineering — Universidad de las Américas Puebla 2001 – 2010
PhD in Mechanical Engineering — Queen Mary University of London 2016 – 2021
MSc in Computer Science — Universidad de las Américas Puebla 2012 – 2014
Beng in Industrial Engineering — Universidad de las Américas Puebla 2001 – 2010
Technical Skills
XR / VR: Unity3D, VR interaction design, spatial audio. Haptics: Ultrasound-based haptics, pseudo-haptics, force feedback. Robotics & Sensors: IMUs, exoskeletons, microcontrollers. Computer Vision: Image processing, real-time tracking. Programming: C#, C++, Python, OpenGL. Research: Human–computer interaction, experimental validation
XR / VR: Unity3D, VR interaction design, spatial audio. Haptics: Ultrasound-based haptics, pseudo-haptics, force feedback. Robotics & Sensors: IMUs, exoskeletons, microcontrollers. Computer Vision: Image processing, real-time tracking. Programming: C#, C++, Python, OpenGL. Research: Human–computer interaction, experimental validation
Languages
English — Full professional proficiency, Spanish — Native, French — Limited working proficiency, Romanian — Conversational
English — Full professional proficiency, Spanish — Native, French — Limited working proficiency, Romanian — Conversational
Publications
Virtual Reality Simulator for Medical Auscultation Training
Medical Virtual Reality Palpation Training Using Ultrasound-Based Haptics and Image Processing
Virtual Reality Percussion Simulator for Medical Student Training