Throughout his doctoral studies, Bermek has been involved in a multitude of projects. These were principally about Mass Engineered Timber products, fabrication, and robotics. He is also a part of the Re-Wind Project which focuses on methods and solutions for repurposing discarded wind turbine blades.

Bermek's dissertation focuses on creating cognitive support for computerized design processes. He argues that we have abandoned essential and effective design techniques to integrate computers into our workflow, as in the early years of CAD, computers were not capable of following the full range of intellectual and cognitive work that goes into design.

"Now, we have ended up with tools that cannot support or understand what we are making through them, and as designers we are cut off from the real structure of what we create. The social aspect of designing is becoming more out of reach, constraining designers to work alone and leading to diminished experiences. This is tantamount to Debordian spectacle," he said.

Bermek asserts that exploring new ways of interacting with CAD and BIM models and emphasizing the conceptual and social aspects of design, rather than solely focusing on the technical and formal aspects, can lead to a more seamless and meaningful design.

“I feel that my diverse experience at Tech has prepared me to support both learning and practicing members of our community in their efforts to create value, meaning, and a shared sense of purpose in our collective pursuit for a more sustainable and equitable world. Throughout my doctoral studies, I had the opportunity to learn, grow, and identify the most effective ways to drive positive change. This experience has given me the confidence to explore new avenues, and the clarity to discern between fleeting trends and lasting practices. It has entrenched my belief in the value of a collaborative mindset and the humility to approach complex technical and social challenges."

Bermek is deeply grateful to be the inaugural Charles Eastman Doctoral Fellowship recipient, particularly because he had the privilege of being part of Professor Eastman's last cohort of students. This fellowship is not only financial support allowing him to finish his degree but also a recognition of the influence that Eastman had on his personal and academic development. Bermek witnessed first-hand how influential he was in our field when he helped organize the Eastman Symposium in 2021. 

“Seeing how profoundly he had affected and inspired the best minds working on diverse fields such as BIM, design cognition, and process modeling has only deepened my admiration for him. His legacy continues to influence the future of our discipline in immeasurable ways," Bermek said.

Being the recipient of this fellowship has renewed my commitment to follow in his footsteps of brilliance, curiosity, and kindness, and I am grateful for the opportunity to further our understanding of design, information, and cognition through my work.”