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Hi, I'm Mohammad Eskandari!

A Graduate Research Assistance at IRAL lab, UMBC.

I was born in 1994, grew up in Iran, and am currently studying and living in the US. I earned my Bachelor Degree in Software Engineering in 2019 and started studying Computer Science in Fall 2022 as a PhD student at UMBC, advised by Dr. Cynthia Matuszek

I am currently studying on how robots can assist humans in everyday life, specifically Human-Robot Interaction (HRI), by utilizing Large Language Models (LLMs), Virtual Reality, and Simulations. In general, I am interested in helping people with special needs by providing high-tech solutions such as robots, Serious Games, and Information Visualization. 


See CV and Projects.


Research Interests

Inside my 3D simulation

Simulations

Human-Robot Interaction

A person using VR hardware in IRAL lab as part of a user study

Virtual Reality

Multi-modal Grounded Language

Background

In 2013, I co-founded Unbound Game Studio (UGS) an indie game-development team with currently more than 10 members where I played a major role as the team's Lead Programmer in designing and developing many Commercial and Serious games.

While studying at Ferdowsi University of Mashhad, I co-founded The Scientific Society Of Video Games, which won The Best New Student Association in Harekat Student Festivals, awarded annually. Eventually, as an active part of the Computer Department, it allowed for many interested students to look for more potentials in their studies and provided an active connection between UGS and FUM. Recommended by different universities in Mashhad, many talented CS students reach out to us every year to start their career within UGS.

In addition, I have worked as Undergraduate Research Assistant at FUM Robotics Lab, in 2015 and 2020 on Rehabilitation Technologies, supervised by Dr. Alireza Akbarzadeh. Also, I have worked as Undergraduate Teaching Assistant in both Computer Graphics and Advanced Programming courses in classes up to 15 undergraduate students, who at the end of each semester had learned and were able to design and develop their own game ideas using Unity. The final project that was assigned to students by me, accounted for 50% of their final grade.

Through more than 6 years of experience in game development, I gained a wide range of skills in my areas of work, especially Rehabilitation Technologies. Using cutting edge technologies, I have developed Serious Games that drastically increased user engagement and helped scientists and researchers achieve precise reliable inputs from human subjects, especially those with special needs.


Education

University of Maryland, Baltimore County 

Khayyam University Mashhad

Employment

• Graduate Research Assistant at IRAL lab, UMBC Baltimore, USA, 2022 - present

• Co-Founder/Lead Programmer at Unbound Game Studio Iran, 2013-2019

Teaching Experience

• Graduate Teaching Assistant at UMBC Spring 2023: Parallel Computing

• Graduate Teaching Assistant at UMBC Fall 2022: Machine Learning

• Undergraduate Teaching Assistant at Toos Institute of Higher Education Fall 2018: Advanced Programming

• Undergraduate Teaching Assistant at Ferdowsi University of Mashhad Fall 2015: Computer Graphics

Skills

• Programming: C#, C++, PHP, python, Java, SQL, LaTeX

• Technologies: Unity3D, Unreal Engine, ROS, AR, VR, TouchDesigner, Vuforia, Kinect, Node.js, Git, LAMP

• Concepts: OOP and COP, Rapid Prototyping, Performance Optimization, Agile Development, UI/UX Design

Honors and Awards

• Second Best Game Award (UGS) at Gorgan Games Festival Gorgan, Iran - 2017

• Best Student Association of The Year for The Scientific Society of Video Games Mashhad, Iran - 2014

• Best Startup Team (UGS) of the Year at Ferdowsi Accelerator Mashhad, Iran - 2013

References

• Dr. Cynthia Matuszek cmat@umbc.edu  (Advisor) 2021 - Present

• Nader Shahni: nader.karamzadeh@gmail.com (Employer) 2020

• Behdad Baniani: baniani@gmail.com (Employer) 2020

• Dr. Alireza Akbarzadeh: ali_akbarzadeh@um.ac.ir (Supervisor) 2016, 2020