Magzhan Mukanova

Magzhan Mukanova

Ph.D. student in Computer Graphics Technology at Purdue University researching embodied virtual agents, character animation, and human-computer interaction.

CV

# Magzhan Mukanova Ph.D. student in School of Applied and Creative Computing at Purdue University researching embodied virtual agents, behavioral animation, personality expression, and human-computer interaction. My work focuses on how virtual humans communicate personality and social behavior through subtle facial, body, and gesture motion. I develop MetaHuman-based conversational agents, procedural animation systems, and perception studies investigating familiarity, trust, and behavioral appearance.

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Education

Purdue University
Ph.D. in Computer and Information Technology
Expected May 2028

Research on embodied virtual agents, personality expression, MetaHumans, conversational AI, and animation perception.

Purdue University
M.S. in Technology, 2023
GPA: 3.97

Research Interests

  • Embodied virtual agents
  • Behavioral animation
  • Personality expression
  • Virtual humans
  • Human-computer interaction
  • MetaHumans & Unreal Engine
  • Motion capture systems
  • Conversational AI agents

Experience

Teaching Assistant
Purdue University
2024 – Present

  • Taught animation principles and character performance
  • Supported Maya, Unreal Engine, and mocap workflows
  • Helped students with rigging and animation pipelines

3D Animator
Everstar Studio

  • Created facial and body animation for virtual characters
  • Worked with MetaHumans and procedural animation systems
  • Integrated AI-assisted animation workflows

Technical Skills

Unreal Engine 5, MetaHumans, Autodesk Maya, Blender, iClone, Character Creator, motion capture pipelines, procedural animation, AI mocap tools, Python, OpenGL.

Languages

Russian (Native)
Kazakh (Native)
English (Advanced)
German (Beginner)

Selected Publications

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