Computer Science Teaching Assistant Excellence Laureates

Sayan Nath

Sayan Nath

I started my PhD this winter under the supervision of Aditya Shekhar Nittala in DiffLab at the iLab, where I work at the intersection of Human–Computer Interaction (HCI) and applied Artificial Intelligence. My research focuses on building intelligent interactive systems that use large language models and other AI techniques to support complex, hands-on tasks. 

I completed my MSc at the University of Calgary, where my research focused on fairness engineering in machine learning systems, including large language models (LLMs), with the aim of improving the reliability and responsible use of AI technologies. During my undergraduate studies, I was selected for Google Summer of Code twice with the TensorFlow organization, where I contributed to open-source machine learning tools and infrastructure. 

In addition to my academic work, I have experience working with multiple startups where I built scalable backend systems integrated with machine learning models. These experiences have helped me develop strong expertise in designing and building practical AI systems that bridge research and real-world applications.

Research Interests: Applied AI, Human-Computer Interaction (HCI), LLM Efficiency

Education: PhD. in Computer Science 

Previous, current or upcoming TA courses: 
ENSF 608 - Databases  

ENSF 380 - Object-Oriented Principles for Software Development 

ENSF 461 - Applied Operating Systems 

ENCM 511 - Embedded System Interfacing 

ENSF 544 - Data Science for Software Engineers 

ENSF 609/610 - Team Design Project in Software Engineering  

DATA 605 - Actionable Visualization and Analytics 

DATA 608 - Developing Big Data Applications 

CPSC 251 - Theoretical Foundations of Computer Science I

Contact: 
sayan.nath@ucalgary.ca
https://sayannath.tech/

Abdalla ElDoumani

Abdalla ElDoumani

I'm a fifth-year Computer Science student at the University of Calgary with a minor in Philosophy. My core interests lie in low-level systems and programming, I find real satisfaction in understanding how software works close to the hardware. Alongside that, I have a strong drive for algorithms and problem solving, and I enjoy the process of breaking down complex problems into clean, efficient solutions. 

Beyond the theoretical, I'm drawn to building tools that make people's lives a little easier. Whether it's writing automation scripts to streamline repetitive workflows or developing web applications that put useful technology in people's hands, I like bridging the gap between technical depth and practical impact. 

As the current Head TA for CPSC 355, I've enjoyed not just helping students grasp challenging material, but also coordinating with fellow TAs to keep things running smoothly behind the scenes. For me, teaching is one of the most rewarding ways to deepen my own understanding while giving back to the community that's shaped my growth.   

Research Interests: Low-level systems programming, computer architecture, algorithm design and optimization, full-stack development, and applied AI/ML

Education:  Bachelor of Science, Computer Science with a minor in Philosophy    

Previous, current or upcoming TA courses: 
CPSC 355 - (Computing Machinery I) Fall 2025 

CPSC 413 - (Design and Analysis of Algorithms I) 

CPSC 355 - Winter 2026

 

Contact: 
abdalla.eldoumani@ucalgary.ca
https://abdallaeldoumani.vercel.app/

Naman Bhoj

Naman Bhoj

Naman Bhoj is an software entrepreneur currently pursuing a Master’s in Computer Science at the University of Calgary. As a member of the SEER Lab, his primary research focuses on Human-Computer Interaction (HCI) and Mixed Reality (MR), specifically exploring how to improve communication and efficiency in remote support environments. 

Beyond his academic work, he is the founder of FYR (ForYourResearch), an AI-driven platform designed to streamline the systematic literature review process for medical researchers. 

His professional background includes roles as an early employee as an AI Engineer and a Data Science Engineer , complemented by a strong publication record in machine learning, edge computing.  

Research Interests: Human Computer Interaction, AI and Human Creativity, Machine Learning, Deep Learning, LLMs

Education: Msc Computer Science with a focus on Human Computer Interaction

Previous, current or upcoming TA courses: 
DATA 573: Visualization and Analytics 

DATA 201: Thinking with Data 

DATA 601: Working with Data and Visualization

CPSC 217: Introduction to Computer Science for Multidisciplinary Studies I

CSPC 219: Introduction to Computer Science for Multidisciplinary Studies II

CPSC 233: Introduction to Computer Science for Computer Science Majors II 

CPSC 251: Theoretical Foundations of Computer Science I

CPSC 351: Theoretical Foundations of Computer Science II

Contact: 
naman.bhoj1@ucalgary.ca 

https://namanbhoj.netlify.app/


Zeyad Khaled

Zeyad Khaled

Zeyad is a biomedical engineering master's student focusing on medical imaging and stroke outcome prediction, with a strong interest in how models make decisions and how those decisions can be interpreted in a clinical context. He has a bachelor's degree in biomedical engineering from Cairo University in Egypt. During his undergraduate degree, he collaborated with the Centre for Genomic Regulation in Spain and studied cancer evolution. That early exposure to computational biology shaped his interest in applying data-driven methods in healthcare and ultimately pursuing graduate studies. Before his graduate studies, he briefly worked at a Fintech startup where he tackled problems in computer vision and fraud detection.

Besides research, teaching is a central part of his experience and is something that he takes pride in. He has taught undergraduate courses in engineering, bioinformatics, and data analytics, which has strengthened his ability to break down complex technical ideas and support students as they build foundational skills.

Research Interests: Medical Imaging, Machine Learning, Explainable AI, Acute Stroke

Education: BSc. Biomedical Engineering, MSc. Biomedical Engineering 

Previous, current or upcoming TA courses: 
DATA 201: Thinking with Data

DATA 211: Programming with Data

BMEN 388: Biomedical Signals, Systems and Instrumentation I

ENDG 233: Programming with Data

MDSC 301: Bioinformatics

Contact:
zeyad.abouyoussef@ucalgary.ca   
https://www.linkedin.com/in/zeyad-khaled/

Benjamin Pearman

Benjamin Pearman

I love computers and mountain sports. If I'm not in the lab on the computer I'm probably rock climbing, running, skiing etc...     

Research interests: AI, HCI

Education: MSc - CPSC

Previous, current or upcoming TA courses: 
CPSC 201: Computer Science

DATA 201: Thinking with Data

Contact: 
ben.pearman@ucalgary.ca

https://benpearman.xyz

Wamika Jha

Wamika Jha

I am currently a thesis-track Master’s student in Computer Science at the University of Calgary, supervised by Dr. Mea Wang and Dr. Usman Alim. My research focuses on machine learning and affective computing, particularly emotion detection using multimodal data. I also work as an intern with the Research Computing Services department at the University of Calgary. I was previously nominated for the SU Teaching Excellence Award and received the Department Research Award in Fall 2023.

Before starting my master’s program, I gained industry experience at companies such as Adobe and Saxo Investment Bank, where I worked on real-world projects and developed strong skills in software development and technical problem solving. These experiences continue to influence the research methods I use today.

As a woman in STEM, I enjoy supporting and encouraging young women who are entering the field. I aim to create a welcoming environment where they feel comfortable learning and growing, and I share my experiences to help guide and inspire them.

Outside of my academic and professional work, I enjoy reading (my favourite book series is the Millennium series by Stieg Larsson, and one of my favourite authors is Dan Brown), playing squash, practicing martial arts, and traveling.

Research Interests: Machine Learning and Deep Learning in Healthcare, Psychology, Affective Computing, Multimodal Systems

Education:  MSc in Computer Science (current), BSc in Computer Science and Engineering

Previous, current or upcoming TA courses: 

CPSC 219: Introduction to Computer Science for Multidisciplinary Studies II
CPSC 231: Introduction to Computer Science for Computer Science Majors I
CPSC 233: Introduction to Computer Science for Computer Science Majors II
CPSC 433: Artificial Intelligence
SENG 511: Software Process and Project Management
SENG 513: Web Based Systems

Contact:
 wamika.jha@ucalgary.ca
 https://www.linkedin.com/in/wamika-jha-5a442b193/


Tin Le

Tin Le

I am a thesis-based MSc. Computer Science student under the supervision of Dr. Joel Reardon. My research focuses on internet privacy, specifically uncovering user tracking and sharing of personal information to third parties on the web. In previous research projects, I have investigated data collection on election campaign websites and analyzed NHL player and puck data. My professional experience includes student roles at Cenovus Energy and Suncor.

I have had the privilege to TA for CPSC251, CPSC329, and ISEC631. I am thankful for the opportunity to work with and learn from my professors and colleagues at the University of Calgary and am grateful to be part of the community.

Research interests: Privacy, Information Security

Education: MSc in Computer Science (current); BSc. Hons in Computer Science

Previous, current or upcoming TA courses: 
CPSC 251: Theoretical Foundations of Computer Science I
CPSC 329: Explorations in Information Security and Privacy 
ISEC 631: Privacy by Design

Contact:
tin.le@ucalgary.ca
https://www.linkedin.com/in/tin-nghu-le/

Kasra Zardouyan

Kasra Zardouyan

I am always captivated by the highest achievable outcomes and ideal scenarios. During my bachelor’s in computer science at the University of Tehran, I found out that many theory courses sparked the same enthusiasm in me, they offered an exploration of the possibilities and impossibilities in our world, the true ideals!

So, I approached theory, completed my thesis on intuitionistic logic, and applied for my master’s to research distributed shared memory algorithms under the supervision of Professor Woelfel. Today I get to relive that genuine enthusiasm every time I mentor a student and help them discover these concepts for themselves.

To do a better job at what I love to do, I completed the Taylor Institute's Graduate Certificates in University Teaching and Learning program, which was a great milestone of my teaching journey. My aspiration is to continue exploring the limits of our world's possibilities. Along the way, I hope to be able to pay forward the invaluable mentorship I have received and, most importantly, leave a positive, lasting impact on every student and colleague I have the privilege to work with.

Research Interests: Distributed Shared Memory Algorithms, Randomized Algorithms, Formal Methods

Education: MSc in Computer Science (current); BSc in Computer Science

Previous, current or upcoming TA courses: 
CPSC 351: Theoretical Foundations of Computer Science II
CPSC 449: Programming Paradigms
CSPC 561: Intro to Distributed Algorithms 

Contact: 
kasra.zardouyan@ucalgary.ca
https://www.linkedin.com/in/kasra-zardouyan/

christopher jiang

Christopher Jiang

Chris received his bachelor's degree in mechatronics engineering from the University of Waterloo but has pivoted to more mathematical and theoretical work having received a master’s degree in computer science from the University of Calgary. His current research is focused on information security and cryptography with his master’s thesis focused on secure multi-party computation.

Chris has always had a passion for helping others learn. Beyond TA’ing for various security courses throughout his master’s and PhD degrees, Chris has also worked as an instructor for the International Professional Programs for Continuing Education.  

Research interests: Information Security and Cryptography

Education:  (Current) PhD Student in Computer Science, (Completed) MSc in Computer Science; BASc Hons Mechatronics Engineering with Minor in Mathematics     

Previous, current or upcoming TA courses: 
CPSC 525: Principles of Computer Security 
ISEC 651: Topics in Security and Privacy (both the current Certified Information Systems Security Professional (CISSP) Bootcamp and the former Privacy Enhancing Technologies offerings)

Contact:
christopher.jiang@ucalgary.ca 


Mahsa Anvarian

Mahsa Anvarian

I am currently an MSc student in Computer Science at the University of Calgary, where my research focuses on applying deep learning techniques to geospatial data, particularly in the context of Digital Elevation Model (DEM) super-resolution. My work explores how to reconstruct high-resolution terrain data from low-resolution inputs by designing deep residual neural networks combined with frequency-aware learning strategies. A key aspect of my research involves preserving fine-scale terrain characteristics, such as ridges, valleys, and rugged surfaces. In addition, I have worked on collecting and preprocessing large-scale mountainous datasets to support model training and evaluation, gaining hands-on experience with geospatial data processing, remote sensing data sources.

Alongside my research, I have been actively involved in teaching throughout my graduate studies, working as a teaching assistant for several courses, including Artificial Intelligence and Developing Big Data Applications. In this role, I supported students through tutorials, assignment guidance, and discussions, while collaborating with instructors such as Dr. Tyler Bonnell. This experience has helped me develop strong communication skills and the ability to explain technical concepts in a clear and approachable way.    

Research interests: Deep Learning, Computer Vision, Data Science, and Geospatial Data Analysis..

Education:  Bachelor of Science in Computer Engineering and currently pursuing a Master of Science in Computer Science at the University of Calgary.   

Previous, current or upcoming TA courses: 
CPSC 433: Artificial Intelligence
DATA 608: Developing Big Data Applications
DATA 601: Working with Data and Visualization
DATA 201: Thinking with Data

Contact:
mahsa.anvarian@ucalgary.ca
https://www.linkedin.com/in/zahra-anvarian/

MSc in Computer Science (current); BSc in Computer Science

Paige So'Brien

I am a  MSc. Computer science student at the University of Calgary studying human-computer interaction. My research is focused on designing technologies that facilitate the mind-body connection, particularly for representing difficult-to-describe symptoms when seeking medical care. I'm driven to learn more about all the ways that HCI design approaches can address the complexity of human experience. I also have a background in data visualization and machine learning, having co-authored and presented “Towards Inline Natural Language Authoring for Word-Scale Visualizations” at the IEEE VIS 2024 conference.

In addition, I am passionate about fostering student growth and wellbeing. I have been part of the Social Innovation Design Challenge initiative with my supervisor Dr. Helen Ai He to connect students and local industries within Calgary. I am always happy to hear from students about any ways I can help their learning experience.    

Research interests: Human-Computer Interaction (HCI), Data Visualization, Health and Wellness Technologies, Brain-Computer Interfaces, Art and Self-Expressive Technology Designs

Education: University of Calgary MSc. Computer Science (current), University of Calgary BSc. Computer Science    

Previous, current or upcoming TA courses: 
CPSC 251: Theoretical Foundations of Computer Science I
CPSC 217: Introduction to Computer Science for Multidisciplinary Studies I 
CPSC 393: Metacognition in Self-Directed Learning Methodologies

Contact:
paige.sobrien@ucalgary.ca
linkedin.com/in/paige-so-brien-718a07149

Mahdi Farrokhimaleki

Mahdi Farrokhimaleki

I am a Master’s student in Computer Science at the University of Calgary and a member of the Serious Games Research Lab. My research focuses on AI-assisted game content generation and repair, and specifically improving the stability and playability of procedurally generated 2D game levels.

Alongside my research, I have been actively involved in teaching. I have worked as a Teaching Assistant and sessional instructor for undergraduate computer science courses, including Data Structures and Algorithms, and Games and Artificial Intelligence. In these roles, I support students through tutorials, assignment design, and individual guidance, aiming to make complex topics more accessible and engaging.

I am passionate about helping students build confidence in programming and problem-solving, and I enjoy creating interactive learning environments that connect theoretical concepts to practical applications.  

Research interests: AI in games, procedural content generation for games

Education:  MSc in Computer Science    

Previous, current or upcoming TA courses: 
CPSC 231: Introduction to Computer Science for Computer Science Majors I (Fall 2023)
CPCS 233: Introduction to Computer Science for Computer Science Majors II (Winter 2024)
DATA 201: Thinking With DATA (Spring 2025)
CPSC 319: Data Structures, Algorithms, and Their Applications (Fall 2025)
CPSC 586/686: Game AI (Fall 2025, Winter 2025)
CPSC 383: Explorations in Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning (Winter 2026)

Contact:
mahdi.farrokhimaleki@ucalgary.ca
www.linkedin.com/in/mahdi-farrokhimaleki


tania.villalobosluja@ucalgary.ca

Tania Villalobos Luján

Tania holds a BA in Design from Universidad Iberoamericana (Mexico City) and an MD in Inclusive Design from the Ontario College of Art and Design. Prior to transitioning to academia full-time, she spent over fifteen years as a strategic, community-centered creative leader. In 2008, she founded and directed her own design company in Mexico, which she led until 2023, when she sold her share to pursue an academic career. Through this practice, she shaped visual identities, editorial systems, spatial graphics, and wayfinding programs across public, cultural, and social spaces.
As the founder and director of a multidisciplinary studio, Tania guided teams across research, branding, production, and environmental design, bringing complex ideas to life with clarity, craft, and cultural sensitivity. Her work spans cities, museums, wellness spaces, and global brand environments, including more than five years developing large-scale branding and wayfinding systems for one of the most influential art fairs in Latin America and the world. 
Parallel to her professional practice, Tania has long been engaged in activism and social movements, particularly around reproductive health and gender violence in Mexico. These lived experiences continue to inform her research, shaping a practice that bridges design, data, and fenimisms across academic and public spheres.

Research interests: Tania Villalobos is a PhD student in the Department of Computer Science, specializing in the Computational Media Design program. She is a transdisciplinary scholar working at the intersection of interaction design and data science. Her research engages decolonial gender theory, feminist movements, and Latin American contexts, with particular attention to representaion of violence and the ethics of counting.

Grounded in an intersectional and care-centered approach, Tania’s work integrates data, design, and computational methods to understand the representation of violence through systems of oppression that exist and persist in silencing, erasing, killing, and disappearing certain bodies. In her research, these forms of violence are examined through specific examples such as feminicide and forced disappearance. Furthermore her research questions ways in which we engage with sensitive datasets that may reproduce these forms of violence.

Education:  BA in Design from Universidad Iberoamericana (Mexico City) and an MD in Inclusive Design from the Ontario College of Art and Design.    

Previous, current or upcoming TA courses: 
Data 201: Thinking with Data
CPS 398:Topics in Computer Science - Practical Presentations

Contact:
tania.villalobosluja@ucalgary.ca
 

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Preston Haffey

I'm a PhD student supervised by Dr. Rei Safavi-Naini. My research focus in on cryptography protocols for authentication and authorization. 

Research interests: Authentication and Access Control in Cryptography

Education:  Bachelor of Computer Science (2021) 

Previous, current or upcoming TA courses: 
CPSC 418: Introduction to cryptography
CPSC 526: Network Systems Security 
CPSC 530: Information Theory and Security 
ISEC 601: Applied Cryptography 
ISEC 603: Network Security 

Contact:
pjjhaffe@ucalgary.ca
https://github.com/Prezzy

https://science.ucalgary.ca/computer-science/about/our-department/ta-recognition

Tan Michael Olsen

I am a PhD researcher in Computer Science at the University of Calgary, with a focus on large language models and their applications in video game design. My work explores how AI can support the creation of adaptive and interactive digital experiences, with an emphasis on how systems respond to and engage with players during gameplay. I hold a Bachelor’s degree in Computer Science with a concentration in video game design, which informs my interest in the intersection of artificial intelligence and interactive systems.

My technical background includes experience with Python, C++, and Java, as well as development tools such as Unreal Engine and OpenGL. I have developed interactive systems including a 3D driving game and a physically grounded simulation of the solar system. Alongside my research, I have been involved in teaching and mentorship, supporting students across a range of computer science topics and communicating complex technical concepts to diverse audiences. My broader research experience includes human-computer interaction, virtual reality, and interactive systems.

Research interests: Computer Networks, Network Security.

Education:  BSc in Computer Science (Current)    

Previous, current or upcoming TA courses: 
CPSC 355: Computing Machinery I
CPSC 219: Introduction to Computer Science for Multidisciplinary Studies II

Contact:
olsen.olsen@ucalgary.ca
 


https://www.linkedin.com/in/christopher-smith-uofc/

Christopher Smith

I am a PhD researcher in Computer Science at the University of Calgary, with a focus on large language models and their applications in video game design. My work explores how AI can support the creation of adaptive and interactive digital experiences, with an emphasis on how systems respond to and engage with players during gameplay. I hold a Bachelor’s degree in Computer Science with a concentration in video game design, which informs my interest in the intersection of artificial intelligence and interactive systems.

My technical background includes experience with Python, C++, and Java, as well as development tools such as Unreal Engine and OpenGL. I have developed interactive systems including a 3D driving game and a physically grounded simulation of the solar system. Alongside my research, I have been involved in teaching and mentorship, supporting students across a range of computer science topics and communicating complex technical concepts to diverse audiences. My broader research experience includes human-computer interaction, virtual reality, and interactive systems.  

Research interests: My primary research interest is in large language models, with an emphasis on their potential applications in video game design and other underexplored forms of human interaction. My previous research has also explored virtual reality, haptics, and human–autonomous vehicle interaction.

Education:  Honours First Class Bachelor’s in Computer Science, Master’s of Computer Science: Research of Haptics in VR   

Previous, current or upcoming TA courses: 
CPSC 217: Introduction to Computer Science for Multidisciplinary Studies I
CPSC 219: Introduction to Computer Science for Multidisciplinary Studies II
CPSC 481: Human-Computer Interaction
DATA 201: Thinking with Data
DATA 482: Data Visualization Fundamentals

Contact:
smithcg@ucalgary.ca
https://www.linkedin.com/in/christopher-smith-uofc/

Karly ross

KJ Ross

Karly Ross is a graduate student in computational media design with an undergraduate degree in applied mathematics. Karly’s work  computational. creative, and otherwise— ponders data absences and orientations while attending to physical mobility in urban space.

Karly has been tutoring people in secondary and tertiary mathematics for over a decade including work at the College of the Rockies. Karly values the process both through research and teaching practice of helping people make sense of their world.    

Research interests: Data Literacy, Community Centred Data Practices, Data Visualization, Data Production, Epistemology and Axiology of Data, Data and Cities, and Data Justice

Education:  MSc. in Computational Media Design (current); BSc in Applied Mathematics   

Previous, current or upcoming TA courses: 
CPSC 582: Data Visualization Design and Development
CPSC 482: Data Visualization Fundamentals
CPSC 583: Introduction to Information Visualization 
Data 221:  Introduction to Data Science
Data 601:  Working with Data and Visualization

Contact:
Karly.ross@ucalgary.ca
 

Shiwei Sun

Shiwei Sun

I'm a thesis-based MSc student in Computer Science at the University of Calgary, working under the supervision of Dr. Rei Safavi-Naini. I also did my undergrad here in Computer Science, graduating with First-Class Honours.

My research is in information security. I work on designing secure communication systems that can still function reliably even when parts of the network are compromised. On the side, I also got involved in a project on secure device on-boarding for smart buildings, looking at how guest devices can safely join a building's network.

I've been a TA for courses in algorithms, information theory, and security. I like finding ways to explain things so they make sense, and it's always great to see a student get something they were stuck on. Teaching has been one of my favourite parts of grad school.

Being in Calgary has gotten me into skiing and hiking, which I love. I'm also into photography, and I like to shoot film and develop it myself.

Research interests: Information Security, Applied Cryptography, Optimization

Education: MSc in Computer Science (Current); BSc Hons. in Computer Science 

Previous, current or upcoming TA courses: 
CPSC 329 Explorations in Information Security and Privacy
CPSC 413 Design and Analysis of Algorithms I
CPSC 530 - Information Theory and Security 

Contact:
shiwei.sun@ucalgary.ca

https://www.linkedin.com/in/shiweisun/

https://shwdsun.github.io
 


Katherine Hou

Katherine Hou

Katherine Hou is a PhD student in Computer Science at the University of Calgary, where she works on visuo-haptic visualization for multivariate spatial data. Her research focuses on integrating haptic feedback with visual representations to enhance the understanding of complex scientific datasets, such as volumetric and flow data. She is particularly interested in multi-contact haptification, cross-modal data encoding, and the design of effective visuo-haptic systems.

Katherine has experience in computer graphics, scientific visualization, and haptic rendering, and has worked with technologies such as Unity, VR systems, and haptic devices. As a Teaching Assistant, she has supported courses related to computer graphics, rendering, and algorithms, helping students understand both theoretical concepts and practical implementations. She is passionate about improving the accessibility and interpretability of data through interactive and multimodal approaches. 

Research interests: Visuo-haptic visualization, multi-contact haptification, multivariate spatial data visualization, scientific visualization, haptic rendering, human-computer interaction, virtual reality, and multimodal interaction.

Education: PhD in Computer Science, University of Calgary (2021–present). Master’s degree in Computer Science, Ocean University of China. Bachelor’s degree in Computer Science, Ocean University of China.   

Previous, current or upcoming TA courses: 
CPSC 591/691: Rendering 
CPSC 413: Des & Analysis Algorithms
CPSC 453: Intro to Computer Graphics

Contact:
xiaoli.hou@ucalgary.ca
www.linkedin.com/in/katherine-hou-ucalgary

Parsa Rahmati

Parsa Rahmati

I am a passionate Game Designer, Developer, and Master of Science student in Computational Media Design at the University of Calgary. Building on my Bachelor’s degree in Computer Engineering, my current research within the Serious Games Research Group focuses on Intelligent Narrative Technologies, where I explore innovative ways to experiment with new storytelling methods in games.

Beyond academia, I bring extensive industry experience to my teaching. I have worked on over 20 titles, primarily casual mobile games, as a Game Developer and Lead Game Designer.

As a dedicated teaching assistant and instructor at UCalgary—including teaching CPSC 399.8 (Games Development)—I am deeply committed to helping the next generation of computer scientists and game developers. My main goal is to motivate students in what I teach.

Research interests: My core research interests include Intelligent Narrative Technologies, Knowledge Representation & Reasoning for generative AI, Intelligent Virtual Agents, Procedural Content Generation (PCG), and Serious Games.

Education: I am currently pursuing my Master of Science in Computational Media Design at the University of Calgary, where my academic research is deeply focused on Intelligent Narrative Technologies and the intersection of game development and generative AI. Prior to moving to Canada, I earned my Bachelor's degree in Computer Engineering from Amirkabir University of Technology (Tehran Polytechnic) in 2023. Throughout my academic journey, my studies have primarily centered around computer science and game development, giving me a strong technical and creative foundation that I actively use in my roles as teaching assistant and instructor.   

Previous, current or upcoming TA courses: 
CPSC 217: Introduction to Computer Science for Multidisciplinary Studies I
CPSC 219: Introduction to Computer Science for Multidisciplinary Studies II
CPSC 233: Introduction to Computer Science for Computer Science Majors II
DATA 201: Thinking with Data

Contact:
parsa.rahmaty@ucalgary.ca
https://www.linkedin.com/in/parsa-rahmati/