AC Atienza
Experimental Digital Media
AC completed their Masters in Experimental Digital Media in 2020, and as UW Alumni continues to be a part of the Games Institute community to give game design advice and participate in events such as Coffee & Games. They currently work full-time as a board game designer for Wiggles 3D and Cloudfall Studios. Some published games include Captain's Gambit; The Golden Ticket Game; Ozark; Um, Actually; and One-Hit Heroes.
Anna Tian
Urban Planning and Urban Design
Anna is the Esports Coordinator at Athletics and Recreation - leading gaming initiatives across campus as well as collaborating with the Region of Waterloo. Holding a Bachelors in Environmental Studies, she completed her undergraduate degree at the University of Waterloo in Urban Planning with a specialization in Urban Design. Aside from collegiate esports, she has professional experience working as a Franchise Operations Assistant at Toronto Ultra and Toronto Defiant. Anna was selected as one of three general managers to participate in LCS Game Changers 2023 where to built, promoted, and lead her team to win the inaugural championship in the Riot Games Arena. She is interested in growing the collegiate esports scene in Canada and continue to strive for a safe and include gaming space for all to participate in.
Emma Smith
English-Rhetoric, Media, and Professional Communications
Emma is a graduate of the undergraduate Honours Co-op English-Rhetoric, Media, and Professional Communications program at the University of Waterloo, with a special interest in Canadian Literature and Media. Her passion is in helping others communicate themselves with fluency and creativity, and encouraging confidence in their ideas.
Greg Mittler
Esports and Gaming Coordinator, Recreation and Business
Greg leads the University of Waterloo’s Esports portfolio, with specific focus on student engagement and development. He is the co-director of the University of Waterloo Interdisciplinary Network for Esports, a group which concentrates on the creation and growth of research, teaching and learning, and student engagement as it relates to esports. Greg acts as a council member on Esports Canada Postsecondary and an advisor to the Waterloo Region Esports Commission, both of which aim to enhance esports impact in Canada and in the Region of Waterloo. Greg’s background is in program development, implementation, and evaluation. He has extensive experience in community building, and grassroots programming. Greg has led the growth of the esports portfolio to include cooperative education opportunities, work integrated learning, student leadership opportunities, varsity program development, public grants, private sponsorship, and community partners.
Maarifa Hayat
High school student working with Dr. Randy Harris
Maarifa is passionate and creative student with a strong interest in technology, coding, and problem-solving. Proficient in programming languages like Python, Java, and JavaScript, she enjoys making personal projects that include creating websites using JavaScript React and a AI in Python. Key areas of her interest include but are not limited to artificial intelligence, machine learning, and web development.
Maarifa has an eagerness to innovate, hence she is driven toward seeking all opportunities where she can apply her technical skills meaningfully.
Mohamed Fouda
Systems Design Engineering
Mohamed is currently working under the supervision of Dr. Oliver Schneider (Haptics Experience Lab), to design and build a platform to house and share haptic creations, called Haptiverse. The Haptiverse is for designers, musicians, game developers and anyone tinkering in haptic experiences and research as the main users. When he is not working, he enjoys coaching cycling, photography (in film) and sometimes acting, which helps him to recharge and satisfy his insatiable sweet tooth.
Sahand Ajami
Applied Science in Mechanical and Mechatronics Engineering
Sahand worked under the supervision of Drs. Oliver Schneider and Arash Arami and was a member of the Haptics Experience Lab. His research is on the efficacy of cutaneous haptic feedback on the sense of embodiment and motor learning in upper-limb rehabilitation.