Aviv Elor Honored with UC Santa Cruz Outstanding Recent Alumni Award
UC Santa Cruz alumnus Aviv Elor has been recognized with the Outstanding Recent Alumni Award, which celebrates graduates from the past decade who exemplify the university’s mission and impact. A dual graduate of UCSC — earning his bachelor’s in robotics engineering and Ph.D. in computational media — Elor’s work bridges technology, health, and human connection.
As co-founder and chief research officer of Immergo Labs, he is pioneering the use of virtual reality in physical rehabilitation, developing platforms that allow patients and clinicians to interact in shared digital spaces. His innovations leverage full-body avatars and AI-assisted motion analysis, redefining how recovery and remote care can be delivered.
Born from groundbreaking research at UC Santa Cruz’s Baskin School of Engineering, Immergo Labs began with an ambitious goal — to use virtual reality game design to support stroke rehabilitation. Today, the company continues to expand that vision, creating immersive tools that redefine how people recover and connect through movement. Guided by values of accessibility, innovation, and care, Immergo prioritizes people first — patients, clinicians, and partners alike. Its platforms make rehabilitation engaging through playful, interactive experiences, while maintaining a commitment to equity, transparency, and research-driven results. At its core, Immergo empowers freedom, connection, and evidence-based excellence in movement care.
Chancellor Cynthia Larive praised Elor’s accomplishments, noting that he “represents the next generation of innovators whose curiosity and creativity are rooted in the interdisciplinary spirit that defines the University of California, Santa Cruz.”
Reflecting on the award, Elor shared, “I said it before and I'll say it again now: I am proud to be a Banana Slug. Thank you to my mentors, collaborators, the Immergo Labs team, my family, and the entire University of California, Santa Cruz community. I simply would not be where I am today without you.”
Elor’s achievements highlight UCSC’s legacy of curiosity, collaboration, and innovation.
Immergo is a Santa Cruz Works Accelerator graduate.
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