Education
Jan 2024 – Present
Ph.D. in Computer Science
Concordia University • Montreal, Canada
- Advisor: Dr. Anil Ufuk Batmaz
- Research Focus: Hand Tracking Failures in VR, Immersive AI Assistive Systems, Hybrid User Interfaces.
2022
B.S. in Electrical & Electronics Engineering
Kadir Has University • Istanbul, Turkey
- Senior Project: MuscleNET: Smart Predictive Analysis for Muscular Activity Using Wearable Sensors (ASYU'22).
- Relevant Coursework: Computer Programming, Game Programming, Circuit Design, Microprocessors, Design of Experiments, Signal Processing.
Research Experience
Summer 2026
Incoming
Visiting Researcher
Nara Institute of Science and Technology (NAIST) • Nara, Japan
- Recipient of the prestigious Mitacs Global Research Internship Award.
- Joining the Cybernetics and Reality Engineering (CARE) Laboratory under the supervision of Prof. Kiyoshi Kiyokawa.
- Project: "Mitigating Detrimental Effects of Vergence Accommodation Conflict (VAC) in Stereo Displays."
Jan 2024 – Present
Ph.D. Researcher
Concordia University • Montreal, Canada
Funded by Google
- Google-Funded Projects: Engineered an early-warning system for common hand-tracking failures in VR. Detected tracking loss before it occurs and provided visual feedback to reduce tracking loss and improve user experience. Used eye-tracking and user behavior logging to analyze user reaction for early warnings. Resulted in publications in PLOS ONE and IEEE Access.
- Designed and validated novel interaction techniques for "Mid-Air Object Manipulation," implementing algorithms for Object Speed Control to enhance user precision (Published at ISMAR 2024).
- Developed high-fidelity experimental testbeds in Unity (C#), ensuring consistent performance to maintain ecological validity during user studies.
- Conducted mixed-methods user studies for each paper.
2021 – 2022
Undergraduate Researcher
Kadir Has University • Istanbul, Turkey
Best Graduation Project Award
- MuscleNET: Engineered a wearable system using Arduino/MyoWare and Deep Neural Networks and LSTM networks to predict injuries and evaluate training quality; results published in IEEE ASYU'22.
- Academic Excellence: Graduated as the Top Ranking Student (GPA: 3.94/4.00) in the Kadir Has University among all departments and faculties.
Professional Experience
June 2022 – June 2023
Mobile Game Developer
Servo Studios • Istanbul, Turkey
- Engineered and shipped 5 mobile titles, achieving +10,000 downloads and $0.31 CPI (cost-per-install).
- Optimized frame rate and memory usage for low-end devices; skills now applied to optimizing real-time research simulations.
- Implemented telemetry systems to track user engagement, providing a foundation for quantitative user research.
- Collaborated with publisher Moonee to prototype designs and UI/UX, translating wireframes into interactive applications.
Technical Skills
Interactive Dev
Hardware & IoT
Research Methods
Data & Tools
Teaching Experience
Jan 2024 – Present
Teaching Assistant
Concordia University • Montreal, Canada
COMP 476: Advanced Game Development
- Winter 2026 (Incoming): Lab Demonstrator.
- Winter 2025 (Marker): Graded assignments/demos for Dr. A.U. Batmaz.
- Winter 2024 (Lab Instructor): Taught 2 lab sections on game programming patterns.
COMP 376: Introduction to Game Development
- Fall 2025 (Lab & Marker): Taught 2 lab sections & graded projects for Dr. Joachim Despland-Lichtert.
- Fall 2024 (Lab Instructor): Taught foundational game programming (1 section) for Dr. A.U. Batmaz.
SOEN 287: Web Programming
- Winter 2026 (Incoming): Marker.
Volunteering & Service
Nov 2025
Student Volunteer Chair
ACM Symposium on Virtual Reality Software and Technology (VRST '25)
- Coordinated the student volunteer team to support conference operations.
- Managed logistics for conference merchandise, leading the design, ordering, and shipping of T-shirts and hoodies.
2024 & 2025
Event Volunteer (GirlSET)
Concordia University
- Participated in the GirlSET outreach program (coordinated by Dr. Bahareh Goodarzi).
- Presented personal research and previous studies to the public to promote STEM engagement.
Selected Publications (First Author)
For a full list, please visit the Publications Page.
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Funded by GoogleIEEE Access Gemici, M., Hatira, A., Phadnis, V., & Batmaz, A. U. (2025). Gaze Analysis in Early Warning Visual Feedback System for Hand Tracking Failures in Virtual Reality. IEEE Access.
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Funded by GooglePLOS ONE Gemici, M., Phadnis, V., & Batmaz, A. U. (2025). Before hands disappear: Effect of early warning visual feedback method for hand tracking failures in VR. PLOS ONE.
- ISMAR '24 Gemici, M., Stuerzlinger, W., & Batmaz, A. U. (2024). Object Speed Control with a Signed Distance Field for Distant Mid-Air Object Manipulation in VR. IEEE ISMAR.
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Best Project AwardIEEE ASYU '22 Gemici, M., Korkmaz, K., et al. (2022). MuscleNET: Smart Predictive Analysis for Muscular Activity Using Wearable Sensors. IEEE ASYU.