FACULTY & SUPPORT
Sam Qorbani, PhD
Associate Professor (MacEwan University)
Dr.Qorbani obtained his degree from Carleton University and teaches computer science courses, specializing in Virtual Reality applications in education, digital media, and computer game design/development. His research focuses on interactions, user experience, and accessibility. He has completed numerous interdisciplinary projects on immersive learning using AR/VR in collaboration with the University of Toronto and Carleton University.
His latest interest is exploring the eye-tracking feature in VR (as an interaction method) for individuals with hand/dexterity limitations to interact with virtual objects more efficiently.
Dr. Samuel Mugo
Professor
Associate Dean, Development (MacEwan University)
Dr. Samuel Mugo graduated with a PhD in analytical chemistry from Memorial University of Newfoundland in 2006. He took a two-year NSERC postdoctoral position at Queens University, Ontario (2007-2008) where he focused on the development of microfluidic mass spectrometry platforms for clinical diagnosis. He has been at MacEwan University since 2008. Dr. Mugo is involved in teaching and curriculum development of analytical chemistry courses, industrial chemistry, chemistry industry internships, and independent research courses.
Dr. Mugo’s research is focused on developing “smart” polymer nanomaterials that are integrated into fabricating frugal and mobile point-of-need (PON) spectro-electrochemical chemical sensing.
Shahram Fardadvand
Centre for Teaching and Learning (MacEwan University)
With a diverse background spanning computer engineering, computer science, and educational technology, Shahram brings a wealth of expertise to higher education. Holding a Bachelor of Applied Information Systems Technology from the Northern Alberta Institute of Technology (NAIT), Shahram has played a pivotal role at MacEwan University since 2011, making substantial contributions across different departments.
His interest and objective are to harness 360 AR/VR/XR/VT technology within Learning Management Systems. This will enable him to craft immersive learning experiences that not only elevate course design but also promote inclusive and accessible education.
Interests: 360-degree VR, Immersive learning, Instructional Design
Dr. Mahdi Daghmehchi Firoozjaei
Assistant Professor (MacEwan University)
Dr. Firoozjaei is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Computer Science, MacEwan University, Canada. Prior to this, he was an Assistant Professor at University of Windsor, Canada, and a postdoctoral research fellow at University of New Brunswick, Canada. He received a BSc. degree in Telecommunication Engineering and an MSc. degree in Cryptology. Dr. Firoozjaei did his PhD. in Computer Engineering at Sungkyunkwan University, Korea, in 2018. He has 10 years’ industry experience in telecommunication systems and cybersecurity. He worked for the Telecommunication Company of Iran (TCI), Babol, Iran, as a senior engineer from 2006 to 2014, and was a research fellow at the Canadian Institute for Cybersecurity (CIC), Canada, from 2018 to 2021. Dr. Firoozjaei led R&D projects in the operational technology (OT) forensics for Siemens Canada, and DNS firewall for CIRA. His research interest focuses on cybersecurity, including malware analysis, digital forensics, network security, privacy-preserving, and blockchain.
COLLABORATORS
Dr. Maryam Abdinejad
Postdoctoral Associate (MIT)
Meet Dr. Maryam Abdinejad, Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) associate postdoc. Her chemistry expertise shapes novel compounds for real-world impact, from drug discovery to renewable energy. With dual MScs and a PhD from top institutions, she mastered molecular design and catalysis. As a scientist and educator, Maryam illuminates complex chemistry, sparking curiosity and innovation in Organic, Materials, and Electro-Chemistry.
With years dedicated to university research and teaching, Maryam saw potential beyond tradition. She embraced 3D, AR, and VR for chemistry education, earning recognition for innovative contributions. An exceptional scientist, she simplifies intricate concepts, earning respect. Committed to guiding the next scientific generation, Maryam inspires a brighter future for Chemistry and its scholars.
Ahmad Al-Kabbany, PhD
CEO VRapeutic
Ahmad Al-Kabbany earned his PhD in Electrical and Computer Engineering from the University of Ottawa in 2016, where his research focused on enhancing the users’ visual experience in real image-based virtual environments. During his PhD, he developed an alpha matting technique that ranked 8th worldwide according to a standard benchmark in the field. Al-Kabbany is the founder and the CEO of VRapeutic–a UNICEF portfolio startup specializing in developing therapeutic VR content. He is also a founding member of the Intelligent Systems Lab at the Arab Academy for Science and Technology.
STUDENTS (current/former)
Haris Kajtazovic
XR Developer (MacEwan University)
Computer Science student (4th year). Aspiring game developer. Experienced in Unity, C#, Java, Python, C. Learning Unreal Engine and C++.
Interests: Video games, Unity, Game development and design, VR Development.
Jehdi Aizon
VR Developer (MacEwan University)
Computer Science student with a major in user experience design. My capstone project focused on VR development for educational applications and simulation of nurse training equipment.
Interests: Unity, Game development and design, VR Development.
Nadir Bakridi
Developer & UI/UX Designer (MacEwan University)
Computer Science major with a minor in Digital Design Experience. Involved in teaching children ages 8-14 to make video games and learn various coding languages.
Experienced in multiple areas of computer science including VR development in Unity and video game development.
Knowledge: C, C#, Java, Javascript, HTML, Python, Visual Basic, and Assembly.
Interests: Game Development, VR, Web/App development, UI/UX design.
Jaxon Strembitsky
VR Developer (MacEwan University)
-Computer Science graduate with a minor in Mathematics.
Interests: VR development, Unity, C#
Zachary Swensrude
Developer (MacEwan University)
-Computer Science student with a minor in Psychology at MacEwan University.
-Experienced in creating a 2D top-down rogue-like game in Unity, and an Internship with Dominarlo -Proficient in JavaScript, C#, Python, and Java.
Interests: Game Development, Unity, App development.
Trevor Meester
Developer (MacEwan University)
-Computer Science student at MacEwan University -QA Tester at Inflexion Games
Interests: Video Games, Board Games, Game Design