Welcome! I'm Abdul Jawad, a Ph.D. candidate in Computational Media at the University of California, Santa Cruz, where I specialize in developing innovative solutions for autonomous vehicles (AV) and immersive media experiences. My journey started in game development, co-founding Portbliss Inc., where we created games like "Heroes of 71," reaching over 30 million players globally.

At UCSC's Augmented Design Lab, my research integrates advanced machine learning, specifically deep learning and reinforcement learning, to enhance AV testing and simulation. Notable projects include WaveFormer, a state-of-the-art model for medical imaging and AV scenarios, and CogMod, a cognitive model simulating realistic human driving behaviors, crucial for scenario generation in AV safety tests. My work has been featured prominently in prestigious conferences like IEEE ITSC, IV Symposium, and journals such as SAE.

Alongside my technical endeavors, I'm deeply committed to teaching and fostering inclusive excellence. I've taught numerous game development and AI-focused courses, leveraging platforms like Unity and Unreal Engine. My DEI initiatives have centered on mentoring first-generation and international students, guiding undergraduates from Bangladesh, and promoting accessibility in gaming through practical course designs.

Explore my Research and Projects to delve deeper into my work. Connect with me via GitHub and discover my contributions to open-source communities.