Timothy (Fred) McMahan

Dr. Fred McMahan is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Learning Technologies and Director of the Mixed Realities Laboratory. Dr. McMahan's research primarily focuses on Adaptive Virtual Environments. Specifically using neurogaming techniques to build XR environments that adapt to the user to provide a personalized experience. His research also includes the use of video games and simulations for practical applications such as learning and training applications. He currently a Co-Investigator and Site PI on the Department of Defense Grant entitled “Virtual Insomnia Patients (VIPs) to Accelerate Dissemination of Precision Diagnosis and Treatment of Insomnia”. The grant is designed to build virtual AI humans that can present symptoms of insomnia to support the training of clinical professionals in the delivery of cognitive behavioral therapy. His work advances next-generation systems for learning, assessment, and training—spanning adaptive virtual environments, real-time human performance optimization, and AI-driven virtual humans.

Research Interests 

Dr. McMahan’s research primary focuses on Adaptive Virtual Environments. Specifically using neurogaming techniques to build XR environments that adapt to the user to provide an ever-changing experience. His research also includes the use video games and simulations for practical applications such as diagnosing and treatment of neuropsychological disorders, learning applications, and training applications. His interest in research covers a variety of topic including: Computer Programming; Virtual Reality; Augmented Reality; Artificial Intelligence; Machine Learning; Computer Networking; Computational Neuropsychology; Neurogaming; Human Computer Interface, Brain Computer Interfaces for neurogaming; Neurocognitive mechanisms involved in neurogaming.

One of the lab’s research trajectories is focused on AI-driven virtual humans for clinical and educational training. As a Co-Investigator and Site PI, Dr. McMahan helped to secure a $5.1 million Department of Defense grant entitled “Virtual Insomnia Patients (VIPs) to Accelerate Dissemination of Precision Diagnosis and Treatment of Insomnia” (2023-2027). VIP focuses on the use of virtual human patients to accelerate precision diagnosis and treatment delivery in insomnia, leveraging AI algorithms to create responsive, realistic patient interactions. This project highlights his broader goal of creating intelligent virtual agents that adapt to users in real time, improving training effectiveness and decision-making skills. The lab is currently collaborating with Dr. Li Cheng from the Department of Learning Technologies to develop a virtual math tutor designed to support fifth-grade students in learning fractions. The platform features a high-fidelity virtual tutor capable of answering students’ questions in real time and providing visual explanations to reinforce understanding. An in-progress research study examines how people interact with virtual humans compared to real humans, focusing on social behaviors like trust and cooperation. Using game-based paradigm and physiological measures (EEG, EDA, HR), they assess how users respond differently depending on whether they believe their partner is human or AI. They are also exploring how personality traits, such as openness and Machiavellianism, influence these interactions. This work will inform us how we can design personalized virtual humans that adapt their behavior to individual user profiles.

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