Michael Murdoch

Michael Murdoch is an Associate Professor in the Department of Color Science at the College of Science, Rochester Institute of Technology (RIT). He serves as Head of the Integrated Sciences Academy and Director of the Munsell Color Science Laboratory. His research and teaching focus on human visual perception of color, light, and materials in real and virtual environments, particularly in augmented and virtual reality (AR/VR), advanced displays, and tunable LED lighting systems.

His educational background includes a BS from Cornell University, an MS from Rochester Institute of Technology, and a PhD from Eindhoven University of Technology.

• BS, Cornell University
• MS, Rochester Institute of Technology
• PhD, Eindhoven University of Technology

Michael Murdoch's research centers on color science and human visual perception. His work investigates how humans perceive color, brightness, and transparency in optical see-through AR systems, aiming to develop computational models of visual appearance. He studies observer metamerism, chromatic adaptation under dynamic lighting, and perceptual optimization of HDR and wide color gamut displays. His research is supported by a prestigious NSF CAREER award (2020–2025) focused on building a computational model of perceived color in AR environments.

His recent publications reveal a strong trend in augmented reality, particularly in transparency perception, color appearance modeling, and the interaction between virtual and real-world lighting. His work bridges psychophysics, display engineering, and human-centered computing, with applications in AR system design, medical displays, and lighting technology.

His scientific awards include:

• NSF CAREER Award #1942755 (2020–2025)
• Best Student Paper Award, 32nd Color and Imaging Conference (2024)
• 3rd Place Best Poster Award, 2024 AR/VR Symposium

Michael Murdoch actively advises graduate students in the Color Science MS and PhD programs at RIT. He has served as primary advisor for numerous PhD and MS candidates, many of whom now work at leading technology companies such as Apple and Meta. He is also a principal investigator on research grants, including the NSF CAREER project, and integrates research outcomes into graduate education. He has held leadership roles in professional organizations, including General Chair of the Color and Imaging Conference (CIC) 2017, and serves on the board of the Inter-Society Color Council (ISCC). He frequently delivers keynote and invited talks at international conferences.

He is a founding member of Frameless Labs, a multidisciplinary group focused on immersive technologies (XR), and contributes to the annual Frameless XR Symposium at RIT’s MAGIC Center. He is also involved in community outreach, contributing to public understanding of color science through media outlets like The Conversation and The Detroit News.