Marcos Ardon Lobos, Recreation Sciences
Through experiential learning opportunities at East Carolina University and in community settings, Marcos Ardon Lobos learned the versatility of virtual reality research and explored VR as an emerging and innovative health care tool.
Lobos earned his Bachelor of Science in recreational therapy degree in 2022 and this week is adding a Master of Science in recreation sciences with a concentration in recreational therapy administration. He gained the nickname of “The VR Expert” in the hallways of the Belk Building, home to the Department of Recreation Sciences in the College of Health and Human Performance.
He partnered with Dr. Jaehyun Kim to proactively implement virtual reality methods at ECU and in Pitt County. Lobos’ passion was sparked by an internship focused on memory care and assisted living at Sunrise Senior Living in Raleigh. He used VR techniques with residents and the reactions he saw during those moments made a lasting impression on him.
“Seeing the smiles they had on their faces enjoying the activities we were doing, it was benefiting their mental health, physical health, emotional health,” Lobos said. “It sealed that this is what I want. I enjoyed going to that site every day.”
Lobos’ mother is from Guatemala and his father from El Salvador. His experiences at ECU included traveling to Peru for an ECU and Special Olympics Unified Youth Exchange project.
In addition to working with older adults, Lobos has seen virtual reality benefit his peers.
Marcos Ardon Lobos, right, leads a virtual reality exercise at Sunrise Senior Living. (Contributed photo)
STATISTICS
Name: Marcos E. Ardon Lobos
Major: Recreation Science with a concentration in recreational therapy administration
Classification/Year: Second-year graduate student
Hometown: Raleigh
Hobbies/interests: Playing the piano, guitar and saxophone. Reading a good mystery book. Playing Fortnite with my friends. Exploring the benefits of virtual reality.
FAVORITES
Favorite places on campus: Biofeedback lab in the Belk Building, The piano in the student center.
Favorite class: Civilian trauma counseling
Professor who influenced you the most: Dr. Jaehyun Kim
MOTIVATIONS
Dream job: Recreational therapist director of privately owned practice
What advice do you have for other students? Changing your major is never a bad thing. It may take you twice as long, but find what will make you happy. Your hobbies may even take you farther than you could ever imagine.
“There definitely is a wide range of uses for it,” he said. “We’ve used it for meditation to help treat anxiety, depression and other stress, for things that may affect a college student and extra stress. For older adults, we use virtual reality in Tai Chi programs to help improve balance and reduce stress.”
Lobos mentioned several HHP professors who have helped him flourish. Kim is at the forefront.
“He is a really good mentor and has been there every step of the way,” Lobos said.
Lobos’ training and experiences in recreation sciences at ECU have guided his career aspirations.
“I’ve always wanted to help people,” he said. “Recreational therapy has a lot to love in serving communities with different disabilities, like older adults in assisted living facilities with memory care and people in hospitals from all different populations. This has helped me find a way to help people that may not seem traditional in a sense.”