Founder & CEO

Credit: Snigdha Mishra

Hamida Khatri is a dynamic and driven gender-based violence expert and social justice advocate, currently enriching her academic and professional journey through a Ph.D. in Arts, Technology, and Emerging Communication (ATEC) at the Harry W. Bass Jr. School of Arts, Humanities, & Technology at the University of Texas at Dallas. Alongside her doctoral studies, Hamida is expanding her expertise with a professional certificate in Augmented/Virtual Reality and Computer Graphics from NYU Tandon School of Engineering, and a post-graduate certificate in Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning from the University of Texas at Austin.

As the proud Founder and CEO of VR Catalyst, a registered 501(c)3 organization, Hamida pioneers the use of virtual reality and biosensing technology as transformative healing tools for victims and survivors of gender-based violence. Her role encapsulates her commitment to leveraging emerging technologies for meaningful social impact, demonstrating her versatility and dedication as a multipotentialite with advanced expertise in Project Management, Research Development, Strategic Management, Design and Innovation, and Emerging Technologies.

Hamida's scholarly work resides at the intersection of Computational Social Science, Victimology, and the Philosophy of Psychiatry, enriched by her deep appreciation for Islamic Art, Persian Literature, and South Asian Studies. This unique interdisciplinary approach allows her to explore the psychological and social impacts of violence against women, navigating through history, psychology, trauma, fear, and monstrosity with a nuanced lens.

Employing the Bayesian Brain research method with an emphasis on games and animation, Hamida examines social and behavioral dynamics and brain function within controlled environments. Her focus on Functional Studies and Mental Health research aims to connect technology with human experiences, offering profound insights into gender-based violence and contributing significantly to psychology and social sciences.

With over 15 years of professional experience, Hamida has led more than 100 community-driven projects and supervised over 20 successful ventures and campaigns across various sectors, including technology, construction, healthcare, telecommunication, advertising, media, education, and the nonprofit world. Her passion for creating culturally rich, ethically driven products is evident in her people- and process-centric approach, underpinned by data-based and design strategies. Hamida's ambition, motivation, and curiosity are continually driven by what she refers to as the "3 P’s": Patterns, People, and Processes, showcasing her as a visionary leader and innovator in her field.