About Me
I am a PhD student at Simon Fraser University, specializing in machine learning and optimization for controlling physically simulated characters. My research focuses on advancing techniques for computer animation and robotics.
Papers
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Michael Xu, Yi Shi, KangKang Yin, Xue Bin Peng
PARC: Physics-based Augmentation with Reinforcement Learning for Character Controllers
Project Page
Conditionally Accepted to SIGGRAPH 2025
Education
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B.A.Sc. in Engineering Science
University of Toronto
Thesis: Applications of a Differentiable Physical Simulator Based on the Material Point Method
Supervisor: David Levin
September 2015 - April 2020
Experience
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Research Scientist Intern
Disney Research Studios
Character animation research
June 2025 - August 2025
Software Developer
Rocscience Inc.
Developed the physics engine for a new rockfall simulation software
May 2020 - January 2023
Software Development Intern
Rocscience Inc.
Implemented meta-heuristic search methods for slope stability analysis in Slide3
May 2019 - August 2019
Software Engineering Intern
Microsemi Corporation
Developed FPGA compiler message tools for Libero
July 2018 - April 2019
Summer Research Student
Dynamic Graphics Project
Researched the numerical stability of the material point method
May 2017 - August 2017
Technical Student
Toronto Hydro
Developed scripts for analyzing Toronto Hydro’s control room data
May 2016 - August 2016
Misc.
I compose instrumental guitar music, and have a guitar-focused YouTube channel.
I have a goldendoodle named Rocky, who is currently being taken care of by my parents in Toronto, ON, while I pursue my degree in Burnaby, BC.
I was rank 7 out of 1,000,000+ North American players in the popular strategy game Teamfight Tactics.