Doga Demirel
Computer Science, Ph.D.

Doga Demirel, Ph.D.

I earned my Ph.D. in Computer Science from the University of Arkansas at Little Rock (UALR), where I completed my thesis on design and development of virtual interactive simulations for surgical training. I received an M.Sc. in Computer Science from the University of Central Arkansas (UCA) and a B.Sc. in Computer Science from UALR. During my time at UCA and UALR, I had the pleasure of working in the Virtual Reality, Simulation, Imaging and Modeling (ViRaSIM) Lab at UCA.

Currently, I am an assistant professor and the assistant chair in the Department of Computer Science at Florida Polytechnic University. Also, I am the founder and director of the Virtual Reality, Interactive Simulation, and Biomedical (VRISB) Lab at Florida Poly.

Education

Here is an overview of my educational background.

University of Arkansas at Little Rock

  • Ph.D. in Integrated Computing, Computer Science
  • January 2016 - December 2018

University of Central Arkansas

  • M.Sc. in Applied Computing
  • August 2013 - December 2015

University of Arkansas at Little Rock

  • B.Sc. in Computer Science and Minor in Mathematics
  • August 2009 - May 2013

Employment

Here is an overview of my employment history.

Florida Polytechnic University, Department of Computer Science

  • Assistant Chair (July 2021 - Present)
  • Director, Virtual Reality, Interactive Simulation, and Biomedical (VRISB) Lab
  • Assistant Professor (August 2019 - Present)

University of Arkansas at Little Rock, Department of Computer Science

  • Graduate Teaching Assistant (August 2018 - December 2018)
  • Research Assistant (January 2016 - December 2018)

University of Central Arkansas, Department of Computer Science

  • Teaching Assistant (August 2013 - December 2015)
  • Research Assistant (August 2013 - December 2015)

ASELSAN

  • Internship (June 2012 - August 2012)

Teaching

Courses Taught

Florida Polytechnic University

  • Undergraduate Courses Taught:
    1. COP 2271 - Introduction to Computation and Programming
    2. EGN 1007 - Career Design for STEM Disciplines
    3. CAP 4730 - Computer Graphics
    4. CEN 4065 - Software Design and Architecture
    5. CAP 4073 - Software Requirements Engineering
    6. CEN 4072 - Software Verification and Quality Assurance
    7. COP 4934 - Senior Design 1
    8. COP 4935 - Senior Design 2
  • Graduate Courses Taught:
    1. CAP 5701 - Advanced Graphics
    2. CAP 5610 - Advanced Software Engineering

University of Arkansas at Little Rock

  • Undergraduate Courses Taught:
    1. CPSC 2382 - Computer Systems and Assembly Language

VRISB LAB

Virtual Reality, Interactive Simulation, and Biomedical (VRISB) Lab at Florida Poly.

Current Members

  • Doga Demirel, Ph.D. - Director (2019 - present)
  • Jacob R. Barker, M.Sc. - Research Scientist (2020 - present)
  • Geroge Westergaard, B.Sc. - Graduate Student (2021 - present)
  • Yasar Can Kakdas, B.Sc. - Graduate Student (2022 - present)
  • Utku Erden, B.Sc. - Graduate Student (2022 - present)

Graduated Members

  • James Dials, Towards an Automated Endoscopist Evaluation Platform, Fall 2021.
  • Jacob R. Barker, Virtual Colo-Anal Anastomosis Surgery Trainer, Spring 2022.
  • Douglas Burnside, Utilizing Virtual Reality to Create a Donning and Doffing Simulation, Spring 2022.
  • Jason Smith, Utilizing H2xE to Map Large Hyperbolic Spaces into Smaller Euclidean Virtual Reality Space, Spring 2022
  • Jordan Jones, LSTM for Bitcoin Price Prediction, Spring 2022
  • Chinmoy Modak, Effects of Gaming in Virtual Reality- Based Surgical Gentleness Training Platform, Fall 2022

Current Academic Collaborators

  • FAMU-FSU College of Engineering
  • Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center
  • Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute
  • University of Texas Southwestern Medical School
  • Indiana University School of Medicine
  • Lamar University
  • Ankara University

VRISB Lab at I/ITSEC 2022.

Available Opportunities

    Graduate Research Positions Available!

    Currently looking for M.Sc. students to work on design and development of surgical simulations.

    Funding will be for Tuittion and Stipend.

    Basic Qualifications:

  • Bachelor's degree in Computer Science or related field.
  • Solid background in Unity.

    • Additional Qualifications:

  • Experience in WebGL.
  • Haptics Programming.
  • Shader Programming.

    • Applicants should send the following documents to ddemirel [at] floridapoly.edu

  • Resume
  • Supporting Documents such as github repository, YouTube links,...

    • Undergraduate Research Positions Available!

    Funding will be hourly compensation.

    Basic Qualifications:

  • Currently enrolled at Florida Poly.
  • Wants to pursue an M.Sc. degree in Computer Science at Florida Poly.
  • Solid background in Unity.

    • Applicants should send the following documents to ddemirel [at] floridapoly.edu

  • Resume
  • Supporting Documents such as github repository, YouTube links,...

Publications

    Journal Publications:

    1. D. Demirel, B. Palmer, G. Sundberg, B. Karaman, T. Halic, S. Kockara, N. Kockara, M.E. Rogers, S. Ahmadi, “Scoring metrics for assessing skills in arthroscopic rotator cuff repair: performance comparison study of novice and expert surgeons,” International Journal of Computer Assisted Radiology and Surgery, 1823–1835, 2022, doi.org/10.1007/s11548-022-02683-3.
    2. G. Sankaranarayanan, L.M. Parker, K. Jacinto, D. Demirel, T. Halic, S. De, J. Fleshman, “Development and Validation of Task-Specific Metrics for the Assessment of Linear Stapler-Based Small Bowel Anastomosis,” Journal of the American College of Surgeons, 2022, doi: 10.1097/XCS.0000000000000389
    3. G. Sankaranarayanan, L.M. Parker, A. Khan, J. Dials, D. Demirel, T. Halic, A. Crawford, U. Kruger, S. De, J. Fleshman, “Objective metrics for hand-sewn bowel anastomoses can differentiate novice from expert surgeons,” Surgical Endoscopy, 1-11, 2022, doi.org/10.1007/s00464-022-09584-1.
    4. J. Dials, D. Demirel, T. Halic, S. De, A. Ryason, S. Kundumadam, M. Al-Haddad, M.A. Gromski, “Hierarchical Task Analysis of Endoscopic Sleeve Gastroplasty,” Surgical Endoscopy, Volume 36, Issue 7, 5167-5182, 2021, doi: 10.1007/s00464-021-08893-1.
    5. D. Demirel, B. Cetinsaya, T. Halic, S. Kockara, D. Reiners, S. Ahmadi, S. Arikatla, “A partition-based optimization model and its performance benchmark for Generative Anatomy Modeling Language,” Computers in Biology and Medicine, Volume 119, 103695, 2020, doi.org/10.1016/j.compbiomed.2020.103695.
    6. J. Farmer, D. Demirel, R. Erol, D. Ahmadi, T. Halic, S. Kockara, S. Arikatla, K. Sexton, S. Ahmadi, “Systematic approach for content and construct validation: Case studies for arthroscopy and laparoscopy,” International Journal of Medical Robotics and Computer Assisted Surgery, 16:e2105, 2020, doi.org/10.1002/rcs.2105.
    7. D. Demirel, B. Cetinsaya, T. Halic, S. Kockara, S. Ahmadi, “Partition-based Optimization Model for Generative Anatomy Modeling Language (POM-GAML)”. BMC Bioinformatics Volume 20, Issue 2, 99-114, 2019, doi.org/10.1186/s12859-019-2626-7.
    8. O. Topsakal, M. Akbas, D. Demirel, R. Nunez, B. Smith, M. Perez, M. Celikoyar, “Digitizing rhinoplasty: a web application with three-dimensional preoperative evaluation to assist rhinoplasty surgeons with surgical planning”. International Journal of Computer Assisted Radiology and Surgery, Volume 15, Issue 11, 1941–1950 2020, doi.org/10.1007/s11548-020-02251-7.
    9. D. Qi, E. Petrusa, U. Kruger, N. Milef, M. Rassoul Abu-Nuwar, M. Haque, R. Lim, D.B. Jones, M. Turkseven, D. Demirel, T. Halic, S. De, N. Saillant, “Surgeons With Five or More Actual Cricothyrotomies Perform Significantly Better on a Virtual Reality Simulator”, Journal of Surgical Research, Volume 252, 247-254, 2020, doi.org/10.1016/j.jss.2020.03.021.
    10. D. Demirel, A. Yu, S. Baer-Cooper, T. Halic, and C. Bayrak, “Generative Anatomy Modeling Language (GAML),” International Journal of Medical Robotics and Computer Assisted Surgery, Volume 13, Issue 4, 2017, doi.org/10.1002/rcs.1813.
    11. D. Demirel, A. Yu, S. Baer-Cooper, A. Dendukuri, T. Halic, S. Kockara, N. Kockara, and S. Ahmadi, “A hierarchical task analysis of shoulder arthroscopy for a virtual arthroscopic tear diagnosis and evaluation platform (VATDEP),” International Journal of Medical Robotics and Computer Assisted Surgery, Volume 13, Issue 3, 2017, doi.org/10.1002/rcs.1799.
    12. D. Demirel, K. L. Butler, T. Halic, G. Sankaranarayanan, D. Spindler, C. Cao, E. Petrusa, M. Molina, D. Jones, S. De, and M. DeMoya, “A Hierarchical Task Analysis of Cricothyroidotomy Procedure for a Virtual Airway Skills Trainer Simulator,” American Journal of Surgery, Volume 212, 475-484, 2016, doi.org/10.1016/j.amjsurg.2015.08.029.
    13. B. Cetinsaya, M. A. Gromski, S. Lee, Z. Xia, D. Demirel, T. Halic, C. Bayrak, C. Jackson, S. De, S. Hegde, J. Cohen, M. Sawhney, S. N. Stavropoulos, D. Jones, “A Task and Performance Analysis of Endoscopic Submucosal Dissection (ESD) Surgery,”. Surgical Endoscopy, Volume 33, Issue 2, 592-606, 2018, doi.org/10.1007/s00464-018-6379-6.

    Publications in Peer-Reviewed Conference Proceedings:

    1. S. Hegde, G. Sankaranarayanan, D. Demirel, T. Halic, J. Salgado S. De, J. Fleshman, “Development and Expert Consensus on Performance Metrics for Automated Assessment of Perineal Proctectomy for Rectal Prolapse,” Journal of the American College of Surgeons, Volume 235, Issue 5, p S44, 2022, doi: 10.1097/01.XCS.0000893240.73064.c8 (Abstract).
    2. D. Demirel, A. Hamam, “Design of a Virtual Reality based Pedagogical Framework,” 24th International Conference on Human-Computer Interaction, 38-47, 2022, doi.org/10.1007/978-3-031-05675-8_4 (Presentation, Proceedings).
    3. O. Toker, B. Karaman, D. Demirel, “A paper-based keyboard using ArUco codes: ArUco Keyboard,” 24th International Conference on Human-Computer Interaction, 195-208, 2022, doi.org/10.1007/978-3-031-05409-9_15 (Presentation, Proceedings).
    4. D. Ben-Zaken, A. Hamam, D. Demirel, “User Movement for Safety Training in a Virtual Chemistry Lab,” 24th International Conference on Human-Computer Interaction, 3-13 2022, doi.org/10.1007/978-3-031-06015-1_1 (Presentation, Proceedings).
    5. J. Jones, D. Demirel, “Long Short-Term Memory for Bitcoin Price Prediction,” 6th International Conference on Information System and Data Mining (ICISDM 2022) Association for Computing Machinery, 25-30, doi.org/10.1145/3546157.3546162 (Presentation, Proceedings).
    6. A. Dubs, V.C. Andrade, M. Ellis, B. Karaman, D. Demirel, A.J. Alnaser, O. Toker, “Drive Vehicle by Head Movements: An Advanced Driver Assistance System Using Facial Landmarks and Pose,” 24th International Conference on Human-Computer Interaction, 502-505, 2022, doi.org/10.1007/978-3-031-06417-3_67 (Abstract).
    7. A. Al Abbas, S. Hegde, G. Sanakaranarayanan, D. Demirel, T. Halic, J.S. Pagacnik, S. De, J.W. Fleshman, “Development of Structured Objective Metrics for Automated Assessment of Ileal Pouch Anal Anastomosis”, Diseases of the Colon & Rectum, Volume: 65, Issue: 5, 128-129, 2022 (Poster).
    8. S. Hegde, A. Al Abbas, G. Sanakaranarayanan, D. Demirel, T. Halic, J.S. Pagacnik, S. De, J.W. Fleshman, “Development and Expert Consensus of Performance Metrics for Automated Assessment of Stapled Straight Coloanal Anastomosis”, Diseases of the Colon & Rectum, Volume: 65, Issue: 5, 129-129, 2022 (Poster).
    9. S. Shedage, J. Farmer, D. Demirel, T. Halic, S. Kockara, V. Arikatla, K. Sexton, S. Ahmadi, “Development of Virtual Skill Trainers and Their Validation Study Analysis Using Machine Learning,” In the Proceedings of the 2021 the 5th International Conference on Information System and Data Mining (ICISDM 2021). Association for Computing Machinery, 8-13, doi.org/10.1145/3471287.3471296. (Presentation, Proceedings).
    10. D. Demirel, A. Hamam, C. Scott, B. Karaman, O. Toker, L. Pena, “Towards a new chemistry learning platform with virtual reality and haptics,” 23rd International Conference on Human-Computer Interaction, 253-267, 2021, doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-77943-6_16. (Presentation, Proceedings).
    11. J. Farmer, M. Tunc, D. Ahmadi, D. Demirel, T. Halic, S. Arikatla, S. Kockara S. Ahmadi, “Virtual rotator cuff arthroscopic skill trainer: Results and analysis of a preliminary subject study,” In Proceedings of the 2020 the 4th International Conference on Information System and Data Mining (ICISDM 2020). Association for Computing Machinery, 139-143, doi.org/10.1145/3404663.3404673. (Presentation, Proceedings).
    12. B. Cetinsaya, J. Dials, D. Demirel, T. Halic, S. De, M. Gromski, D. Rex, “Comparison study of deep learning models for colorectal lesions classification,” In Proceedings of the 2020 the 4th International Conference on Information System and Data Mining (ICISDM 2020). Association for Computing Machinery, 84-88, doi.org/10.1145/3404663.3404667. (Presentation, Proceedings).
    13. B. Palmer, G. Sundberg, J. Dials, B. Karaman, D. Demirel, M. Abid, T. Halic, S. Ahmadi, “Arthroscopic Tool Classification using Deep Learning,” In Proceedings of the 2020 the 4th International Conference on Information System and Data Mining (ICISDM 2020). Association for Computing Machinery, 96-99, doi.org/10.1145/3404663.3404672. (Presentation, Proceedings).
    14. T. Halic, S. De, J. Dials, M.A. Gromski, D. Demirel, A. Ryason, A. Gilmore, M.A. Al-Haddad, S. Kundumadam, “S1191: Task Analysis and Performance Metrics of Endoscopic Sleeve Gastroplasty: Preparation for Virtual Simulation Development,” The American Journal of Gastroenterology: October 2020 - Volume 115 - Issue - p S595, 10.14309/01.ajg.0000706812.30100.05 (Abstract).
    15. D. Demirel, S. Baer-Cooper, J. Farmer, T. Halic, S. Kockara, and S. Ahmadi, “Optimization for Arthroscopic Rotator Cuff using Generative Anatomy Modeling Language,” 2018 Midsouth Computational Biology & Bioinformatics Society (MCBIOS XV), 2018. (Abstract).
    16. D. Qi, U. Kruger, N. Milef, E. Petrusa, M. Turkseven, D. Demirel, T. Halic, D. Jones, S. Dem N. Saillant, “Establishing Novice and Expert Groups to Assess a Virtual Reality Simulator for Rare and Emergent Surgical Procedures”, 38th Annual Meeting of the Association for Surgical Eucation (ASE), 2018. (Abstract).
    17. D. Demirel, A. Yu, S. Baer-Cooper, T. Halic, S. Kockara, N. Kockara, and S. Ahmadi, “Difficulty Scenario Modeling for Virtual Arthroscopic Rotator Cuff With GAML,” Computational & Mathematical Biomedical Engineering Conference, vol. 2, pp. 814-817, 2017. (Podium Presentation, Proceedings).
    18. D. Demirel, A. Yu, S. Baer-Cooper, T. Halic, S. Kockara, N. Kockara, and S. Ahmadi, “Difficulty Scenario Modeling for Virtual Arthroscopic Rotator Cuff With GAML,” 101st Arkansas Academy of Science, 2017. (Podium Presentation, Abstract).
    19. B. Cetinsaya, M. A. Gromski, S. Lee, Z. Xia, M. Turkseven, D. Demirel, T. Halic, C. Bayrak, C. Jackson, S. De, J. Cohen, M. Sawhney, D. Jones, “Design of Virtual Endolumenal Surgery Simulator (VESS): Colorectal Endoscopic Submucosal Dissection (ESD) Training Module,” World Congress of Gastroenterology at ACG, 2017 (Abstract, Proceedings).
    20. C. Jackson, S. Hegde, J. Cohen, M. Sawhney, D. B. Jones, B. Cetinsaya, M. A. Gromski, S. Lee, Z. Xia, D. Demirel, T. Halic, C. Bayrak, S. De, “A Cognitive Task Analysis Approach Toward the Design of a Virtual Reality Simulator for Endoscopic Submucosal Dissection,” Surgical Endoscopy, 2018, 32: Supplement 1 (Abstract).
    21. B. Cetinsaya, M. A. Gromski, S. Lee, Z. Xia, D. Demirel, T. Halic, C. Bayrak, C. Jackson, S. De, S. Hegde, J. Cohen, M. Sawhney, S. N. Stavropoulos, D. Jones, “A Task and Performance Analysis of Endoscopic Submucosal Dissection (ESD) Surgery,” Surgical Endoscopy, 2018, 32: Supplement 1 (Abstract).
    22. Z. Xia, T. Halic, S. Lee, B. Cetinsaya, M. Gromski, D. Demirel, C. Bayrak, C. Jackson, S. Hegde, J. Cohen, M. Sawhney, D. Jones, S. De, “The Development of a Virtual Simulator for Colorectal Endoscopic Submucosal Dissection (ESD),” Surgical Endoscopy, 2018, 32: Supplement 1(Abstract).
    23. D. Demirel, S. Baer-Cooper, J. Farmer, T. Halic, S. Kockara, and S. Ahmadi, “Virtual Arthroscopic Tear Diagnosis and Evaluation Platform (VATDEP),” Arkansas INBRE, 2017. (Abstract).
    24. D. Demirel, S. Baer-Cooper, J. Farmer, T. Halic, S. Kockara, and S. Ahmadi, “Optimization for Arthroscopic Rotator Cuff using Generative Anatomy Modeling Language,” Arkansas INBRE, 2017. (Abstract).
    25. M. Tunc, D. Demirel, T. Halic, S. Kockara, and S. Ahmadi, “Dynamic Voxelization for Virtual Rotator Cuff Surgery,” Arkansas INBRE, 2017. (Abstract).
    26. B. Cetinsaya, M. A. Gromski, S. Lee, Z. Xia, D. Demirel, T. Halic, C. Bayrak, C. Jackson, S. De, S. Hegde, J. Cohen, M. Sawhney, S. N. Stavropoulos, D. Jones, “Virtual Endoluminal Surgery Simulator,” Arkansas INBRE, 2017. (Abstract).
    27. D. Demirel, A. Yu, T. Halic, G. Sankaranarayanan, A. Ryason, D. Spindler, K. L. Butler, C. Caroline, E. Petrusa, M. Molina, D. Jones, S. De, M. Demoya, S. Jones, “Virtual Airway Skills Trainer (VAST) Simulator,” Med. Meets Virtual Real. 22 NextMedMMVR22, Volume 220, 91-97, 2016, doi:10.3233/978-1-61499-625-5-91. (Podium Presentation, Proceedings).
    28. D. Demirel, A. Yu, S. Baer-Cooper, T. Halic, S. Kockara, and S. Ahmadi, “Time and video analysis of Virtual Arthroscopic Tear Diagnosis and Evaluation Platform,” 2016 Midsouth Computational Biology & Bioinformatics Society (MCBIOS XIII), 2016. (Abstract).
    29. A. Yu, D. Demirel, T. Halic, S. Kockara, and S. Ahmadi, “Dynamic Voxelization for Virtual Rotator Cuff Surgery,” 2016 Midsouth Computational Biology & Bioinformatics Society (MCBIOS XIII), 2016. (Abstract).
    30. A. Yu, D. Demirel, T. Halic, and S. Kockara, “Virtual Intraoperative Cholangiogram Using WebCL,” Med. Meets Virtual Real. 22 NextMedMMVR22, vol. 220, p. 459, 2016, doi: 10.3233/978-1-61499-625-5-459. (Podium Presentation, Proceedings).
    31. D. Demirel, A. Yu, T. Halic, S. Kockara, “Parallel Continuous Collision Detection for Surgery Simulations with WebCL,” 13th US National Congress on Computational Mechanics. (Podium Presentation, Abstract).
    32. A. Yu, D. Demirel, T. Halic, S. Kockara, “Virtual Cholangiogram,” 13th US National Congress on Computational Mechanics. (Podium Presentation, Abstract).
    33. D. Demirel, A. Yu, T. Halic, and S. Kockara, “Parallel Continuous Collision Detection with WebCL,” 2015 Midsouth Computational Biology & Bioinformatics Society (MCBIOS XII), 2015. (Podium Presentation, Abstract).
    34. D. Demirel, A. Yu, S. Baer-Cooper, A. Dendukuri, T. Halic, S. Kockara, and S. Ahmadi, “A hierarchical task analysis of a Virtual Arthroscopic Tear Diagnosis and Evaluation Platform (VATDEP),” Arkansas INBRE, 2015. (Abstract).
    35. D. Demirel, A. Yu, T. Halic, and S. Kockara, “Web based camera navigation for virtual pancreatic cancer surgery: Whipple surgery simulator (VPanSS),” in 2014 IEEE Innovations in Technology Conference (InnoTek), 2014, 1–8, doi: 10.1109/InnoTek.2014.6877375. (Podium Presentation, Proceedings).
    36. T. Halic, S. Kockara, D. Demirel, M. Willey, “MoMiReS: Mobile mixed reality system for physical & occupational therapies for hand and wrist ailments,” in 2014 IEEE Innovations in Technology Conference (InnoTek), 2014, 1–6, doi: 10.1109/InnoTek.2014.6877376. (Podium Presentation, Proceedings).