In my research group, we are interested in serious games: these are computer games and gaming-related technologies for the purpose of training and education.

"Game" does not narrowly refer to only entertainment, as modern game engines (such as Unreal and Unity) are used everywhere from media and simulations to digital twins. We deploy immersive technologies (virtual reality, eye-tracking technology) as part of the experience.

We examine AI techniques (search and learning) to provide adaptive and personalized experiences, and for automated natural language generation.

Research Programs and Projects

• Click here.

Graduate Students

• Mohamad Elzohbi. Ph.D. Computer Science. 2020-present.

• Farhan Aslam. Thesis-based M.Sc. Computer Science. 2021-present.

• Mahdi Farrokhimaleki. Thesis-based M.Sc. Computer Science. 2023-present.

• Matthew McConnell. Thesis-based M.Sc. Computer Science. 2024-present.

• Parsa Rahmati. Thesis-based M.Sc. Computational Media Design. Co-supervised by B. Barton. 2024-present.

• Tarif Ashraf. Thesis-based M.Sc. Computer Science. 2024-present.

• Setareh Abhari. Thesis-based M.Sc. Computer Science. 2025-present.

Research Assistants

• Joseph Tandyo (B.Sc. student). 2024. Alberta Innovates scholarship. 2024.

• Talaal Irtija (B.Sc. student). 2023-2024. Alberta Innovates scholarship. 2023.

• Avery Keuben (B.Sc. student). 2023-2024.

Honours Students

• Alan Alcocer-Iturriza. B.Sc. Computer Science. CPSC 502. 2024-2025.

• Jon Choi. B.Sc. Computer Science. CPSC 502. 2024-2025.

• Chirag Asrani. B.Sc. Computer Science. CPSC 502. 2024-2025.

Capstone Project Students

• Joey Van Lierop. B.Sc. Computer Science. CPSC 503. Fall 2024.

External/Industry Partners

• Telus Communications.

• City of Calgary.

• Fluid Planet.

• Skillsetter Inc.

• Foothills Academy.

• Michif Media.

Students under Co-Supervision

• R. Aubut. Thesis-based M.Sc. Computational Media Design. 2024-present.

Students under Thesis Supervisory Committee

• M. Shopon. Ph.D. Computer Science. 2022-present.

• R. H. Majdabadi. Ph.D. Computer Science. 2021-present.

Past Graduate Students

• N. Shishir. Thesis-based M.Sc. Computer Science. 2022-2024.

• K. Saadat. Thesis-based M.Sc. Computer Science. 2021-2024. [Thesis]

• M. Shomoye. Thesis-based M.Sc. Computer Science. 2021-2023. [Thesis]

• O. Brierley. Ph.D. Computational Media Design. Graduated 2023. Interim Co-Supervision. [Thesis]

• S. Windsor. Thesis-based M.Sc. Computational Media Design. 2023. Interim Co-Supervision.

Past Honours Students

• I. Mahbub Prutik. B.Sc. Computer Science. CPSC 502. 2023-2024.

• T. Hartleb. B.Sc. Computer Science. CPSC 502. 2022-2023.

• K. Mitchell. B.Sc. Computer Science. CPSC 502. 2022-2023.

• K. Burns. B.Sc. Honours. Computer Science. 2018-2019. [Thesis]

Past Capstone Project Students

• M. Reyes. Master of Data Science and Analytics. Summer 2024.

• K. Cherukupally. Master of Data Science and Analytics. Summer 2024.

• J. Nguyen. B.Sc. Computer Science. CPSC 503. 2024.

Past Research Assistants

• N. Ben Sghaier (B.Sc. student). 2024. Mitacs Globalink award. 2024.

• A. Zaghloul (B.Sc. student). 2024. NSERC USRA. 2024.

• R. Agarwal (B.Sc. student). 2024.

• S. Raza (B.Sc. student). 2023.

• D. Garcia (B.Sc. student). PURE award. 2022.

• J. Cabueños (B.F.A. student). Alberta Innovates scholarship. 2022.

• H. A. Sloan (B.Sc. student). 2021.

• R. Zhu (Ph.D. candidate). 2020-2021.

• M. Maromonte (B.Sc. student). 2020-2021.

• E. Baxter (B.Sc. student). 2019-2020.

• G. Anderson (B.Sc. student). 2019-2020.

• J. Wilfong (B.Sc. student). 2019-2020.

• S. Hopson (B.Sc. student). 2019-2020.

• H. Rios-Jaime (B.A. student). 2019.

• J. Osborne (B.Sc. student). 2019.

• J. Sutton (B.Sc. student). 2019.

• T. Nguyen (B.Sc. student). 2019.

• A. Pio (B.Sc. student). 2018-2019.

• F. Carrillo (B.Sc. student). 2018-2019.

• A. Zheng (B.Sc. student). 2017.

• J. LaRiccia (B.Sc. student). 2016-2017.

• G. Louchart (B.Sc. student). 2016-2017.

• A. Meanor (B.Sc. student). 2016-2017.

Past Students under Mitacs Business Strategy Internships

• J. Tijunelis (B.Sc. student). 2024.

• J. Van Lierop (B.Sc. student). 2023-2024.

• M. Lawrence (B.Sc. student). 2023.

• C. Davitt (B.Sc. student). 2023.

• T. Dow (M.Sc. student). 2023.

Past Visitors

• Y. Zhang (B.Sc. student, Beijing Normal University). 2023.

• G. Roy (Visiting Research Assistant). 2023.

Past Students under Thesis Supervisory Committee

• L. Hardner, B.Sc. Software Engineering with Honours in Game Development. 2017-2018.

Past Students under Thesis Examination Committee

• I. Luchak, M.Sc. Computer Science. 2024.

• S. Farajian, M.Sc. Computer Science. 2024.

• B. Graham, M.Sc. Computer Science. 2024.

• M. Friedel, M.Sc. Computer Science. 2023.

• S. Ganesh, M.Sc. Computer Science. 2023.

• C. Smith, M.Sc. Computer Science. 2023.

• A. Aminbeidokhti, M.Sc. Computer Science. 2023.

• A. A. Mehmuda, M.Sc. Computer Science. 2022.

• S. N. Tumpa, M.Sc. Computer Science. 2022.

• B. Sieu, M.Sc. Computer Science. 2021.

• Z. Niu, M.Sc. Geophysics. 2021.

• F. Anzum, M.Sc. Computer Science. 2021.

• A. Eidelberg, M.Sc. Computer Science. 2021.

• L. Rey, M.A. Linguistics. 2021.

Past Students under Doctoral Candidacy Examination

• H. Hornbeck, Ph.D. Candidacy. Computer Science. 2023.

• Tiered Behaviour Architecture Model for Virtual Characters