Deniz Mevlevioğlu

Lecturer in AI-driven Extended Reality

About Me

Smiling young academici with short brown hair CV

I'm a Lecturer in Computer Science at University College Cork. I have a passion for human-computer interaction, virtual reality, and real-time physiological computing. My research explores how emerging technologies can support mental health, wellbeing, and immersive learning. I combine academic research with hands-on development, aiming to create interactive systems that are both meaningful and impactful.

If you would like to work with me or learn more about my research, feel free to send me an email.

Research

Publications

Journal Paper

Real-time Classification of Anxiety in Virtual Reality Therapy Using Biosensors and a Convolutional Neural Network

Deniz Mevlevioğlu, Sabin Tabirca, and David Murphy. 2024.

MDPI Biosensors 14 (3)

DOI: 10.3390/bios14030131

Journal Paper

Anxiety Classification in Virtual Reality Using Biosensors: A Mini Scoping Review

Deniz Mevlevioğlu, Sabin Tabirca, and David Murphy. 2023.

PLoS One 18 (7)

DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0287984

Conference Paper

Emotional Virtual Reality Stroop Task

Deniz Mevlevioğlu, Sabin Tabirca, and David Murphy. 2023.

IEEE International Conference on Pervasive Computing and Communications Workshops and other Affiliated Events (PerCom Workshops)

DOI: 10.1109/PerComWorkshops56833.2023.10150350

Conference Paper

Emotional Virtual Reality Stroop Task: an Immersive Cognitive Test

Deniz Mevlevioğlu, Sabin Tabirca, and David Murphy. 2022.

In Proceedings of the ACM International Conference on Interactive Media Experiences (IMX '22).

DOI: 10.1145/3505284.3532988

Conference Paper

Real-time Anxiety Prediction in Virtual Reality Therapy.

Deniz Mevlevioğlu, Sabin Tabirca, and David Murphy. 2021.

Proceedings of the 12th ACM Multimedia Systems Conference (MMSys '22).

DOI: 10.1145/3524273.3533926

Conference Paper

Emotional Virtual Reality Stroop Task: Pilot Design.

Deniz Mevlevioğlu, Sabin Tabirca, and David Murphy. 2021.

In Proceedings of the 27th ACM Symposium on Virtual Reality Software and Technology (VRST '21).

DOI: 10.1145/3489849.3489952

Conference Paper

Visual Respiratory Feedback in Virtual Reality Exposure Therapy: A Pilot Study.

Deniz Mevlevioğlu, Sabin Tabirca, and David Murphy. 2021.

In Proceedings of the ACM International Conference on Interactive Media Experiences (IMX '21).

DOI: 10.1145/3452918.3458799

Conference Paper

Real-time Anxiety Prediction in Virtual Reality Exposure Therapy.

Deniz Mevlevioğlu, David Murphy, and Sabin Tabirca. 2021.

In Adjunct Proceedings of the ACM International Conference on Interactive Media Experiences (IMX '21).

DOI: 10.6084/m9.figshare.14699751.v1

Grants

DateFunding BodyProject
2020-2024ADVANCE CRTPhD Grant
2018University College CorkCollege of Science, Engineering and Food Science Postgraduate Scholarship

Professional Memberships

ACM SIGCHIThe Special Interest Group on Computer–Human Interaction
IEEE WIEWomen in Engineering
UCC MAVRICMixed Augmented Virtual Reality and Immersive Computing Research Lab

Education

  • University College Cork

    School of Information Technology & Computer Science

    Research Title: Real-time anxiety classification in virtual reality exposure therapy

    PhD in Computer Science

    2020 - 2025

  • University College Cork

    School of Information Technology & Computer Science

    Thesis Title: Visual Respiratory Feedback in Virtual Reality

    First Class Honours

    MSc in Interactive Media

    2018 - 2019

  • Bahcesehir University

    Faculty of Arts and Sciences

    2.94/4 (GPA)

    BA in Psychology

    2012 - 2016

Other Education

  • Oxford University Press

    Epigeum Online Course System

    Research Integrity: Core

    2020

  • Oxford University Press

    Epigeum Online Course System

    Human subjects protections

    2020

  • Marmara University

    Ataturk Faculty of Education

    Pedagogical Formation

    2018

Experience

  • Lecturer in AI & XR

    Responsibilities:

    • Design, deliver, and assess undergraduate and postgraduate modules in Computer Science, with a focus on human-computer interaction, extended reality, and artificial intelligence.
    • Conduct independent and collaborative research aligned with departmental priorities, contribute to peer-reviewed publications, and pursue external funding opportunities.
    • Participate in public engagement, outreach, and science communication activities to promote Computer Science and increase societal impact.
    • Contribute to the academic life of the department through committee work, quality assurance processes, and curriculum reviews.
    • Foster cross-disciplinary collaborations within the university and with external academic, industry, and community partners.

    University College Cork

    2025 - Present

  • Postdoctoral Researcher

    Research topic: Ignite the Immersive Media Sector by Enabling New Narrative Visions

    Responsibilities:

    • Collaborated with EU partners and stakeholders, including TG4, VRAI, Khora, Satore, CWI, Sound and Vision, VUB, TCD, and Immersion with a vision to “Ignite the Immersive Media Sector by Enabling New Narrative Visions”
    • Developed Extended Reality environments and toolkits to extend the reach of XR environments to the cultural sector
    • Contributed to the extension of research grants and prepared research proposals
    • Disseminated research results in international venues by writing papers about the evaluation of the environments

    Related Skills: XR, Artificial Intelligence, QoE, Biosensors, Research, Unity, C#

    Technological University of the

    Shannon

    2024 - 2025

  • Visiting Researcher

    Research topic: Interpersonal synchrony of socially anxious dyads during Zoom video calls

    Responsibilities:

    • Created evaluation planning for investigating interpersonal synchrony over Zoom calls using head movement, heart rate, and skin conductivity
    • Collaborated with a team of psychologists and engineers to report results of interpersonal synchrony analysis
    • Participated in local outreach events

    Related Skills: Machine Learning, Python, Research

    University of Virginia Link Lab

    2023

  • Web Development Tutor

    Provided theoretical and practical lessons in introductory level web development to give students the necessary skills to make a beautiful portfolio website in 5 weeks.

    Related Skills: Teaching, HTML, CSS, JS

    Munster Programming Training

    2020 - 2024

  • Teacher Assistant

    Demonstrated in the practical lessons delivered to MSc and BSc students in Computer Science.

    Modules: Graphics for Media, 3D Graphics and Modelling, Authoring, Digital Video Capture and Packaging, Usability Engineering, Web-based applications, Future and Emerging Technologies, Human-Computer Interaction and Digital Video Compression and Delivery and Web Development

    Responsibilities:

    • Demonstrated tasks relating to labs and tutorials
    • Aided students when they need technical help to follow the tutorials
    • Delivered tutorials

    Related Skills: Teaching, PHP, Java, JavaScript, jQuery, three.js, WebGL, Virtual Reality, Python, HTML, Blender

    University College Cork

    2019 - Present

  • Web Developer

    Responsibilities:

    • Designed and developed personal and e-commerce websites
    • Came up with dynamic solutions based on customer needs
    • Worked with a team of designers and developers
    • Made sure the websites follow accessibility standards
    • Provided SEO

    Related Skills: WordPress, HTML, CSS, JS, PHP

    Freelance

    2019 - 2020

  • Concepts and Collaboration in Digital Humanities I Tutor

    Responsibilities:

    • Provided step-by-step tutorials for creating a portfolio website using WordPress
    • Familiarised students with technologies they need during their study
    • Aided students in technical assignments or any technical issues related to their website
    • Provided tutorials for making a website from scratch using HTML and CSS

    Related Skills: Web Development, HTML, CSS, JS, PHP

    University College Cork

    2019

  • Intern School Counsellor

    Responsibilities:

    • Made a year-long education plan after assessing needs.
    • Held introductory seminars to students and employees explaining counselling services.
    • Assisted in making individualised education programs for students with special needs.

    Related Skills: Interpersonal communication, Teaching

    Feridun Tumer Secondary School

    2017-2018