Onan Demirel is an assistant professor of mechanical engineering at Oregon State University. He received his Ph.D., MS, and BS degrees from Purdue University. His research focuses on understanding human element in the design process, making advances in Digital Human Modeling (DHM) theory and practice, and developing multi-disciplinary design theory and methods to explore inter-dependencies and co-evolution of the human element in engineering systems. Dr. Demirel’s work engages in human subject data collection and virtual simulations and applies mechanical engineering design methods with industrial design techniques to include human needs, abilities, and limitations early in the design process. He has been at Oregon State since 2016.

Dr. Demirel’s research interests lie at the intersection of human factors engineering, engineering design, and systems engineering. His work includes developing computational and experimental human-centered design theory and methodology, specifically digital human modeling and human-in-the-loop design to incorporate human factors engineering principles early in the design for automotive, aviation, consumer, and healthcare product development.

Selected Publications

• Soria Zurita, N. F., Stone, R. B., Onan Demirel, H., & Tumer, I. Y. (2020). Identification of Human–System Interaction Errors During Early Design Stages Using a Functional Basis Framework. ASCE-ASME Journal of Risk and Uncertainty in Engineering Systems Part B Mech Engineering, 6(1).
• Ahmed, S., & Onan Demirel, H. (2020). A Framework to Assess Human Performance in Normal and Emergency Situations. ASCE-ASME Journal of Risk and Uncertainty in Engineering Systems Part B Mech Engineering, 6(1).
• Irshad, L., Ahmed, S., Demirel, H. O., & Tumer, I. Y. (2019). Computational Functional Failure Analysis to Identify Human Errors During Early Design Stages. Journal of Computing and Information Science in Engineering, 19(3), 031005.
• Gune, A., De Amicis, R., Simões, B., Sanchez, C. A., & Demirel, H. O. (2018). Graphically hearing: enhancing understanding of geospatial data through an integrated auditory and visual experience. IEEE computer graphics and applications, 38(4), 18-26.
• Demirel, H. O., & Duffy, V. G. (2017). Incorporating Tactile Cues into Human‐Centered Virtual Product Design. Human Factors and Ergonomics in Manufacturing & Service Industries, 27(1), 5-16.