Dr. Wanwan Li serves ORU as an Associate Professor of Computer Science. He brings expertise in computer graphics, extended reality technologies—including virtual reality (VR), augmented reality (AR), and augmented virtuality (AV)—and innovative applications of computational design. His research explores the integration of deep learning with procedural modeling and novel interface design, advancing interactive tools for e-learning, edutainment, and scientific simulation.
Dr. Li’s doctoral research at George Mason University focused on personalizing VR training experiences through optimization, laying the foundation for his career-long interest in designing adaptive, immersive environments. He has since developed the PM4VR suite, a series of scriptable parametric modeling frameworks applied across domains such as conceptual animal sculpture, furniture design, robotics, fruit generation, floral structures, and decorative trees. His contributions have been recognized with multiple peer-reviewed publications and the prestigious Best Paper Award at the IEEE Transactions on Visualization and Computer Graphics (TVCG, 2025).
Prior to his Ph.D., Dr. Li earned his M.S. in Computer Science from the University of Central Florida, where he distinguished himself in advanced coursework in ray tracing and computer graphics, and his B.Eng. in Computer Science from Harbin Institute of Technology. He has actively engaged in the global research community through presentations at ACM SIGGRAPH VRCAI, IEEE VR Workshops, and international conferences in software engineering and artificial intelligence.
In the classroom, Dr. Li emphasizes creativity, experimentation, and interdisciplinary thinking, equipping students to push the boundaries of design and technology. His teaching and mentoring are shaped by a commitment to developing the next generation of computer scientists and innovators who can bridge technical rigor with imaginative problem-solving.