Michael J. Murdoch

Michael J. Murdoch is an Associate Professor at the Munsell Color Science Laboratory, Rochester Institute of Technology (RIT), where he teaches courses in colorimetry, psychophysics, lighting, and imaging. A Fulbright U.S. Scholar Award recipient, he conducted collaborative research at K.U. Leuven, Ghent, Belgium (2022). His work bridges color science, augmented reality (AR), and advanced display systems, with a focus on color appearance modeling, visual adaptation, and observer metamerism.

• BS, Chemical Engineering, Cornell University (1997)
• MS, Computer Science, RIT (2006)
• PhD, Human-Technology Interaction, Eindhoven University of Technology (2013)

Murdoch's research explores color perception in AR environments, dynamic LED lighting systems, and observer metamerism in HDR/OLED displays. He investigates how transparency, luminance, and chromaticity gamut affect visual blending in AR, with applications in immersive technologies, medical displays, and energy-efficient lighting. His NSF CAREER award (2020-2025) supports the development of a computational model for AR color appearance, integrating visual adaptation and cognitive layering.

Recent publications emphasize AR display optimization, transparency perception, and dynamic lighting control. Key trends include multi-primary LED systems, chromatic adaptation, and human-centric color metrics.

Scientific Awards:

• NSF CAREER award (2020-2025)
• Fulbright U.S. Scholar Award (2022)
• Best Student Paper Award (32nd Color and Imaging Conference, 2024)

Murdoch has advised students on AR color modeling, HDR display trade-offs, and pharmaceutical color perception, with alumni placed at Apple, Meta, and RIT Dubai. He co-founded Frameless Labs, a multidisciplinary XR research group, and serves on committees for the Color and Imaging Conference, ISCC, and SIGGRAPH.