Dr. Anthony Scavarelli

Role: Assistant Professor, TMU Department of Computer Science

Pronouns: He/Him

Research Interests: Human-Computer Interaction, Virtual Realities, Inclusive VR/AR/XR, Social Learning Spaces, Transformative Learning, Museums, Interactive Art

Biography: Dr. Anthony Scavarelli is an Assistant Professor at Toronto Metropolitan University in the Department of Computer Science. His research explores how to create inclusive virtual reality (VR) interfaces and experiences for learning and social human-computer interaction (HCI). He also serves as an Adjunct Research Professor at Carleton University, co-supervising projects on Indigenous language learning and preservation tools using generative AI and immersive technologies. As a socio-experiential UX researcher and artist, Dr. Scavarelli explores how immersive technology connects people in everyday cultural settings.

Website: anthony-scavarelli.com

Andrew Nguyen

Role: TMU MSc of Computer Science student, co-supervised with Dr. Sven Lilge

Pronouns: He/Him

Research Interests: VR, haptics

Biography: I am a new graduate from the Computer Science program at TMU. I am interested in developing hardware solutions for VR haptics which have application in motor learning, assistive, and resistive muscle training.

Website: LinkedIn Profile

Maryam Musa

Role: TMU Master of Digital Media student

Pronouns: She/Her

Research Interests: Game Development, Alternative Hardware, VR Development, Game Art

Biography: I grew up in Saudi Arabia playing a lot of games, which led me to study Interactive Multimedia and Design at Carleton University. After graduating, I taught a course on VR development in Unity and developed games and hardware for research for different labs, and I'm now pursuing my Master's in Digital Media, where I build games with custom alternative controllers for them. I'm drawn to all parts of the multimedia development process, from game design to hardware to programming to 2D/3D art, and more! Outside of development, I love football, drawing, music, and eating food :)

Website: maryammusa.ca

Jehdi Aizon

Role: TMU MSc of Computer Science student

Pronouns: She/Her

Research Interests: VR, training, simulation, healthcare, nursing

Biography: Jehdi Aizon has a B.Sc. in Computer Science; her primary focus of study was game development and digital user experience design. During her undergrad, she collaborated with MacEwan nursing faculty to develop and test a VR nursing simulator. Her study led to publications at iLRN 2025 and AC 2025. She has also collaborated as a research assistant with the School of Social Work faculty on a VR training simulation and with Public Safety and Justice on gamifying an interview process. Right now, she is enrolled in the master's thesis program at TMU, continuing her study on HCI within the XR space.

Website: edxr.ca

Murrium Zaheer

Role: TMU MSc of Computer Science student, co-supervised with Dr. Alex Ferworn

Pronouns: She/Her

Research Interests: LiDAR, VR, GIS, ML, Robotics

Biography: Murrium (She/Her) is a Master's student who is researching how to create a Machine Learning pipeline from end to end by taking raw Lidar data and converting it to a fully immersive Virtual Reality product. She is a mature student who previously worked in Digital Cartography and has experience in the tech industry in the Silicon Valley as well as working in the Canadian Government at the Provincial level. Murrium is quite involved in extra curricular activities at TMU where she volunteers on the Student Advisory Committee for the Academic Accommodation Support (AAS) and is a staunch advocate for disability rights as well as being the VP of Communications for the Computer Science Graduate Student Union.

Website: GitHub Profile

Haris Kajtazovic

Role: TMU MSc of Computer Science student, co-supervised with Dr. Sam Qorbani

Pronouns: He/Him

Research Interests: Game Development, VR Development, Game Design, Education

Biography: Haris graduated from MacEwan University with a B.Sc. in Computer Science and is currently enrolled at TMU pursuing his Master's in Computer Science. During Haris’ time at MacEwan University, he was an open lab teaching assistant helping first- and second-year students with their assignments and revived the MacEwan Game Dev Club. Haris also published two academic papers at iLRN 2025 and iLRN 2026. After graduating from MacEwan University, Haris worked as a junior 3D game developer at a studio where he assisted in designing, developing, and maintaining a library of VR escape rooms. Now, Haris looks to obtain his Master’s in Computer Science at TMU and is interested in educational VR applications/games. Aside from Haris' career, he also likes to play video games, sports, and trading card games.

Website: LinkedIn Profile

Jim Silvester

Role: Carleton University MSc of Digital Media student. Co-supervised with Dr. Omair Shafiq and Dr. Ali Arya.

Research Interests: LLMs, Multi-Agent Systems, Retrieval-Augmented Generation, AI Safety & Hallucination Mitigation

Biography: Jim is a Master's student at Carleton University, bringing over a decade of professional experience as a full stack software developer across AI, mobile applications, web, and video games. His thesis research explores how multiple AI agents can collaborate to safely manage civic data. Specifically, he builds Retrieval Augmented Generation systems that know when to abstain from answering queries, which helps reduce model hallucinations and ensures reliable information delivery. Prior to his graduate studies, he led the modernization of national clinical databases for congestive heart failure research, worked mobile app development reaching over 100,000 monthly users, and filed a patent as the principal inventor of a wearable gesture recognition technology. He holds a Bachelor of Information Technology in Interactive Multimedia and Design from Carleton University.

Rebecca Yee

Role: Carleton University MSc of Digital Media student. Co-supervised with Dr. Hamza Bashandy.

Pronouns: She/Her

Research Interests: 3D Modeling, AR, XR, Music Education, Game Design

Biography: Rebecca Yee is a digital media researcher and Master's student at Carleton University, exploring the intersection of music and augmented reality. Building on her foundation from her undergrad in Interactive Multimedia and Design, her work combines a deep passion for 3D modeling and visual design with immersive technology, she is currently working through the development of interactive AR piano-learning applications.

Website: https://rbecca271.wixsite.com/home

Kashmala Fareed

Pronouns: She/Her

Research Interests: Virtual Reality (VR), Accessibility, Language Preservation, Immersive Technologies, Machine Learning

Biography: I am a Computer Science student at Toronto Metropolitan University. I love reading on different areas like ML, psychology and space! I also make content on the side related to tech and lifestyle.

Website: LinkedIn Profile

Saniya Shaikh

Pronouns: she/her

Research Interests: Accessible VR

Biography: Hey, I'm a computer science student at TMU, and I learn best by building. My background is in machine learning and full-stack development. I'm eager to learn more about VR and HCI, particularly inclusive VR.

LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/saniyashk

Rida Zafar

Pronouns: She/Her

Research Interests: Virtual Reality (VR), Social Anxiety, Accessibility, Cultural Preservation, Language Preservation, Immersive Technologies

Biography: I'm a fifth-year Computer Science student at Toronto Metropolitan University (TMU) with a minor in Cyber Studies. I'm interested in finding unique and meaningful applications of technology, especially in areas that are often overlooked. Some topics I'm interested in seeing how VR can affect social anxiety, creating more inclusive virtual spaces, and preserving languages and cultural traditions through immersive experiences. I'm always curious about emerging technologies and enjoy exploring niche areas of tech that could lead to impactful future careers.

LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/ridazafarr

Omer Chandna

Pronouns: he/him

Research Interests: Brain Computer Interface (BCI), Generative AI, Machine Learning, Autonomous Vehicles

Biography: Hi, I'm Omer! I'm a final-year Computer Science student at TMU with experience in Generative AI, machine learning, and autonomous vehicles. I'm looking forward to exploring brain-computer interfaces (BCIs) and their potential applications in VR through my undergraduate thesis.

Website: www.omerchandna.com

Rana Hamood

Pronouns: She/Her

Research Interests: Machine Learning, human-computer interaction, GenAI, and XR/VR technologies

Biography: I'm a Computer Science Co-op student with experience across software development, AI solutions, and emerging technologies. Through my work at CIBC, I've contributed to projects involving generative AI, backend development, data analysis, and digital experiences. I'm particularly interested in AI, XR/VR, and building technology that creates practical and meaningful user experiences.

Website: LinkedIn Profile

Mark Sbitnev

Pronouns: He/Him

Research Interests: Robotics, Augmented/Virtual Reality (AR/VR), Human-Robot Interaction, Computer Vision, and Robot Teleoperation

Biography: I’m an undergraduate Computer Science student at Toronto Metropolitan University with a strong interest in robotics and extended reality. My current research focuses on using AR interfaces to support the teleoperation of soft/continuum robots, exploring how real-time visual guidance can improve usability and operator performance. I have experience with Unity, React, Python, C#, computer vision, 3D design (CAD) and software development.

Website: https://mark-sbitnev.com

Danielle Cole

Pronouns: She/Her

Research Interests: Game Development, VR Development, 3D Art

Biography: Danielle Cole is a developer and artist with a background in games, VR, and 3D animation. She holds a Bachelor’s degree in Interactive Multimedia and Design from Carleton University, as well as being an alumnus of Sheridan Computer Animation. She has worked on mobile games in the game industry, as well as educational VR experiences and architectural visualization. Her work has also been published and presented at SIGGRAPH, IEEE ISMAR, iLRN, and Graphics Interface.
She is especially interested in VR, 3D art, and using immersive technology to create interesting experiences. Danielle works across 3D art, animation, technical art, and Unity development.

Website: https://daniellecole.tumblr.com/

Adem Ozdemir

Pronouns: he/him

Research Interests: Generative AI, Large Language Models (LLMs), Human-Centered AI, Applied AI Systems, Learning Analytics

Biography: Adem is a Computer Science graduate from Toronto Metropolitan University. His work has focused on developing enterprise AI applications, intelligent workflow automation systems, and large language model integrations for real-world use cases. Building on this experience, Adem is interested in exploring how AI technologies can be effectively integrated into human-centered environments, with a particular focus on human-AI interaction, learning, and emerging XR/AR experiences. His goal is to understand better how intelligent systems can augment human capabilities and create more meaningful, productive, and engaging user experiences.

Website: https://ademozd.com/

Vito Carnovale

Pronouns: He/Him

Research Interests: Virtual Reality, Game Development, Computer Systems, Programming Languages

Biography: I am going into my fourth year undergraduate in Computer Science. I’m exploring research in a couple different disciplines right now including agentic simulators, virtual reality, robotics and large scale systems development.

Website: https://vitocarnovale.vercel.app/

Nethara Gallage

Pronouns: she/her

Research Interests: VR, Game Development, Accessibility, Culture and Language Preservation, Sociology, Education

Biography: I am a recent graduate from Toronto Metropolitan University's Computer Science program. I am interested in combining Computer Science and Sociological issues to improve social norms and preserve culture, along with making technologies more accessible to many people. My projects have focused on Human Computer Interaction and accessibility while delivering applications for real-world use cases. My goal is to make technology help cultures stay alive and people be more educated and aware of sociological issues.

Website: Nethara Gallage's Portfolio