Virtual Reality + Artificial Intelligence

Hi,
I'm Erdem
Computer Science PhD candidate focused on VR and AI research and development

I build and study interactive virtual reality experiences, with a focus on user experience, system behavior, and practical research applications.

Portrait of Erdem Murat

About

I am a Computer Science master's graduate from George Mason University with a research focus on virtual reality, immersive learning, and user experience. My work combines interactive system design with careful evaluation of how people respond to VR environments.

I am advised by Prof. Craig (Lap-Fai) Yu in the Design Computing and eXtended Reality (DCXR) group at George Mason University.

Education

  • George Mason University Computer Science Ph.D., 2023 - Present (Candidate)
  • George Mason University Computer Science M.S., 2021 - 2023
  • George Mason University Computer Science B.S., 2018 - 2021

My research centers on virtual reality, artifical intelligence, and user experience.

Research

A selection of research work in virtual reality, immersive learning, and user experience.

All Research
Figure for the HieraVisVR paper

ACM CHI 2026

04/2026

HieraVisVR: Hierarchical Visual Analytics for Motion-Centric VR Playtesting

Yongqi Zhang, Erdem Murat, Liuchuan Yu, Haikun Huang, Minsoo Choi, Christos Mousas, and Lap-Fai Yu

An ACM CHI 2026 paper on visual analytics for VR playtesting, with Erdem Murat as presenting author.

Poster for Predicting Users' Difficulty Perception in a VR Platformer Game

ACM MIG 2024

11/2024

Predicting Users' Difficulty Perception in a VR Platformer Game

Erdem Murat, Liuchuan Yu, Siraj Sabah, Haikun Huang, and Lap-Fai Yu

A poster presented at ACM MIG 2024 on predicting how users perceive difficulty in a VR platformer game.

Presentation slide for the metaverse education research paper

IEEE VR 2024

03/2024

Understanding Online Education in Metaverse: Systems and User Experience Perspectives

Ruizhi Cheng, Erdem Murat, Lap-Fai Yu, Songqing Chen, and Bo Han

A systems-focused study of immersive online learning using Mozilla Hubs, custom instrumentation, and analysis of both user and platform behavior.

Screenshot from the master's thesis virtual reality project

Master's Thesis

12/2022

Machine Learning Automation for Virtual Reality

Erdem Murat

Thesis work exploring procedural design, user studies, and data-driven approaches for improving VR experiences.