Vitika Soni
Researcher · Analyst · HCI and Behavioral Science
Human–Computer Interaction · Human-Centered AI · Cognitive Science · Intelligent Systems
I translate behavioral and physiological research into insights that inform product strategy, user experience, and organizational decision-making. Recognized as an IndiaAI Fellow by the Government of India, I have delivered peer-reviewed outputs in Springer and IEEE, contributed to a government-funded AI and mental health initiative across three funded tranches, and reached mainstream audiences through national media coverage.
Academic Background
Education
Indian Institute of Technology, Mandi
Mandi, India
Master of Technology (Research), Intelligent Systems
Beyond Immersion: Emotional and Physiological Engagement Across Text, Comics, and Virtual Reality
The Maharaja Sayajirao University of Baroda
Vadodara, India
Master of Arts in Clinical Psychology
Mindful-Gamer Dynamics: Exploring the Relationship Between Mindfulness, Aggression, Self-Control and Gaming
Government Meera Girls College
Udaipur, India
Bachelor of Arts, Humanities and Social Sciences
Professional Profile
Professional Summary
I am a researcher and analyst with a strong record of turning complex human behavior data into insights that drive product decisions, organizational strategy, and user-centered design. My work spans immersive technology, behavioral science, and AI, and it consistently delivers measurable outcomes: published evidence that VR storytelling outperforms text and comics in driving physiological engagement, a behavioral model linking self-control to gaming duration with direct applications in product retention and wellness design, and a government-funded research contribution recognized through three consecutive project tranches. I combine controlled experimentation, multimodal physiological sensing including HRV, EEG, facial thermography, and eye-tracking with rigorous quantitative analysis to answer questions that matter to product teams, policy makers, investors, and founders building the next generation of human-centered systems. I am now seeking to bring this evidence-based, outcome-driven approach into a corporate, consulting, or venture environment where research translates directly into business impact.
Research Interests
Work
Research & Experience
Graduate Researcher
Indian Institute of Technology Mandi · Advisor: Prof. Varun Dutt
- ▸Conducting interdisciplinary research on immersive storytelling, HCI, cognitive psychology, and virtual reality.
- ▸Designing controlled behavioral experiments involving VR, comics and text narratives.
- ▸Collected and analyzed physiological measures including HRV, EEG, and Facial thermography.
- ▸Performing statistical analysis using SPSS, JASP and Python.
- ▸Preparing manuscripts for IEEE, Springer LNNS and HFES.
Research Projects
VR & Social Robots for IKS Based Storytelling
Researcher · IIT Mandi Catalyst
- ▸Conceptualized and pitched an innovative framework integrating AI, VR, and Indian Knowledge Systems (IKS).
- ▸Secured recognition as a Finalist in the Himalayan Startup Trek (HST) Grand Challenge at IIT Mandi Catalyst.
- ▸Designed interactive multimodal narratives combining social robotics and immersive technology for cultural heritage.
Indian Knowledge System and Mental Health Application
Project Associate I · Ministry of Education, Govt. of India
- ▸Developed VR and text stimuli from traditional narratives for randomized controlled trials.
- ▸Set up eye-tracking, HRV, and EEG data pipelines to measure cognitive and affective engagement.
- ▸Assisted in experimental design, data collection, and quantitative analysis for cognitive, affective, and moral reasoning outcomes.
- ▸3rd project tranche received, recognizing sustained research output and deliverables met.
Researcher, Clinical Psychology
The Maharaja Sayajirao University of Baroda · Guide: Ms. Riya Bhatt
Master's Dissertation: "Mindful-Gamer Dynamics: Exploring the Relationship Between Mindfulness, Aggression, Self-Control and Gaming"
- ▸Designed and executed an independent quantitative study with 135 participants spanning students, professionals, and working populations.
- ▸Administered four validated psychometric instruments (MAAS, BAQ, BSCS, GEQ) and performed correlation, regression, independent t-test, and ANOVA analyses using SPSS and JASP.
- ▸Produced findings that challenged dominant narratives around gaming and aggression, demonstrating mindfulness as a significant protective factor.
- ▸Research findings were featured in Gujarat Samachar (6 June 2024), one of India's largest regional newspapers.
Academic & Teaching
Teaching Assistant — Data Mining and Decision Making (NPTEL)
Indian Institute of Technology, Mandi
Supported instructional materials, learner engagement, and academic coordination for an online NPTEL course.
Teaching Assistant — Major Technical Project (MTP)
Indian Institute of Technology, Mandi
Mentored 40+ undergraduate students across CS, Data Science, and EE in project development, technical evaluation, and research-oriented problem solving.
Scholarly Work
Publications
9 total peer-reviewed outputsSoni, V., Chattoraj, H. M., & Dutt, V. (2026). Immersive Cultural Storytelling in Virtual Reality: Enhancing Affective and Physiological Engagement for Heritage and Learning. In Intelligent Computing. Springer Nature Switzerland.
DOI: 10.1007/978-3-032-24804-6_28Soni, V., Chattoraj, H. M., & Dutt, V. (2026). Human–Computer Interaction for Emotional Well-Being: Autonomic and Affective Regulation Through Immersive Narratives. In Intelligent Strategies for ICT. Springer Nature Switzerland.
DOI: 10.1007/978-3-032-20612-1_34Soni, V., Chauhan, S., Chattoraj, H. M., & Dutt, V. (2025). From Scroll to Screen: Emotional and Physiological Engagement in Text, Comics, and Virtual Reality. In ICT Analysis and Applications. Springer Nature Switzerland.
DOI: 10.1007/978-3-032-06697-8_31Recognition
Awards & Honors
IndiaAI Fellowship
IndiaAI Mission, Ministry of Electronics & IT, Government of India
Finalist · Himalayan Startup Trek (HST) Grand Challenge
IIT Mandi Catalyst · for "VR & Social Robots for IKS Based Storytelling"
Expertise
Research & Technical Skills
Research Methods
Statistical Analysis
Experimental Measures
Psychometric Instruments
Immersive Technologies
Research Tools
Scientific Communication
Additional Certifications
Continuing Education
Certificates
LinkedIn Learning · CFI
Aug 31, 2026
CFI Corporate Finance Foundations Professional Certificate
LinkedIn Learning
Aug 27, 2026
Financial Modeling and Forecasting Financial Statements
LinkedIn Learning · PMI Authorized
Aug 31, 2026
Corporate Finance: Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG)
LinkedIn Learning
Aug 27, 2026
Risk Management and Insurance Planning: Designing for Client Needs
LinkedIn Learning
Aug 26, 2026
Corporate Finance Foundations
LinkedIn Learning
Aug 31, 2026
Business Finance: Introduction to Financial Modeling
Community
Professional Service
Clinical Background
Clinical Experience
Samaj Suraksha Sankul (Deepak Foundation)
Vadodara, India
Documented community mental health outreach, field documentation, and multidisciplinary psychosocial evaluations.
Sir Sayajirao General Hospital
Vadodara, India
Conducted clinical observations and psychological testing while assisting clinicians with assessment documentation.
Hospital for Mental Health
Vadodara, India
Collaborated in psychiatric ward, assisting in diagnostic assessments and supportive care planning.
Media Coverage · Gujarat Samachar · 6 June 2024
MA Thesis "Mindful-Gamer Dynamics" Featured in Regional Press
Vitika's Master's dissertation, "Mindful-Gamer Dynamics: Exploring the Relationship Between Mindfulness, Aggression, Self-Control and Gaming" (The Maharaja Sayajirao University of Baroda, 2023–24, Guide: Ms. Riya Bhatt), was covered by Gujarat Samachar, one of India's largest Gujarati-language newspapers.
- ◆Surveyed 135 participants across schools, colleges, and working populations in Vadodara using four validated psychometric scales: MAAS, BAQ, BSCS, and GEQ.
- ◆Found that heavier gamers scored significantly lower on mindfulness (r = 0.65, p < .001) and self-control, challenging the common narrative that gaming directly increases aggression.
- ◆Demonstrated that self-control and mindfulness are positively correlated, suggesting mindfulness-based interventions as a practical route to healthier gaming habits.
- ◆47% of participants reported playing on mobile devices. Daily gamers scored 48.54 on aggression compared to 55.68 for non-gamers, a counter-intuitive finding that sparked public discussion on gaming culture and mental health.
