Next Lab

Dan has led innovation and digital transformation projects at Higher Education institutions and in the private sector. He has authored a national curriculum for digital media in the UK, helped establish the first purpose-built university campus for Emirati women in Dubai, researched Augmented and Virtual Reality in Education as an Associate Professor and won awards for architecture, innovation and collaborative work on future learning environments at the University of Canberra, James Cook University and Arizona State University.

His research and passions lie in future thinking, systems design, and learning architecture. He is developing models that utilize AI, game tech, spatial computing, and decentralized education models to drive institutional change.

Dr. Bea Rodriguez-Fransen is the Director at Next Lab, bringing together diverse partners, research, and communities together to boldly imagine and co-create humane technology and equitable futures. She has served in various leadership and fundraising roles in higher education, local government, nonprofit, entrepreneurship and innovation sectors. A certified foresight and design justice practitioner, she facilitates futures thinking sessions and workshops (locally and internationally) and founded ASU’s Futurists Community of Practice. In 2024, she was chosen as 1 of 10 educators across the world chosen to speak at TED World Theater. Her TED Talk and book emphasize decolonizing futures, and provides practical tools for educators and practitioners in various sectors around the world.

Michael brings over three decades of experience from the technology, education, and interactive entertainment industries as the Next Lab Studio Director. He holds an M.S. in Media Management from The New School and a B.A. in Integrative Studies from Arizona State University.

Throughout his career, Michael has served in various technical and leadership roles at Hasbro, Microsoft, Sony Interactive Entertainment, Electronic Arts, The Los Angeles Film School, and University of Arizona.

Michael’s contributions have earned him credits on over 100 video games. He is an active member of The Academy of Interactive Arts & Sciences, The International Academy of Digital Arts and Sciences, and participates annually in the D.I.C.E. and Webby Awards.

Amanda is a Secondary Education Master’s student at ASU after graduating in Spring 2023 with a BFA in Animation, BS in Media Arts & Sciences, and a certificate in Computer Gaming. After working as a Studio Associate at Next Lab for 2 years, they were promoted to Management Intern to help lead a large-scale Unity game engine education project. In addition to their experience in art/animation, storytelling, game design, and marketing, Amanda has been a professional improv comedian for over 7 years. Wielding humor to call attention to important issues in our modern world, their honors thesis is a techno-feminist satire comedy show that opens a conversation on how technology may be utilized against marginalized communities.

Jesus has been a member of Next Lab since May 2021, becoming a Management Intern after being a co-lead of the Game Engine Guild and serving as a project Tech Lead. Jesus graduated with a B.S. in Informatics and a Certificate in Computer Gaming from Arizona State University in 2023. He is currently working towards a M.S. in Media, Arts and Sciences with a focus in Extended Reality Technologies at the Mesa MIX Center, influenced in part by the kind of work that takes place in the Studio.

At the Next Lab, we hire Studio Associates from across the university, encompassing undergraduates to doctorate-level students, to form a diverse and inclusive team. We value diversity in thought, skill, and background, as it fosters richer ideation and creativity, which is highly valued by our partners. These partners include local government, large tech companies, and ASU faculty and staff, who support our associates through their grants and research funding.