March 29, 2017
Ravish Mehra, a 2014 doctoral graduate in computer science from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, was awarded the 2016 VGTC Virtual Reality Best Dissertation Award for his work developing simulated sound propagation algorithms.
The IEEE VGTC Virtual Reality Best Dissertation Award was established in 2016 to recognize the best doctoral dissertation in the field of virtual reality defended within the preceding two calendar years. Mehra’s dissertation was selected from a pool of 16 nominations.
Mehra’s dissertation, titled “Efficient Techniques for Wave-Based Sound Propagation in Interactive Applications,” proposed new methods for simulated propagation of sound in virtual reality environments in order to improve realism of sound and enhance the immersion of users within the environment.
More information about Mehra’s doctoral research at UNC, including audio and video samples and full publications, can be found at cs-old.sites.unc.edu/~ravishm.
Mehra’s dissertation was advised by professors Ming Lin and Dinesh Manocha. Mehra now works as a research scientist for Oculus VR in Seattle, WA, and his sound propagation and spatial audio research has already been integrated into virtual gaming systems.