About Me

Hello! I'm Abdul Jawad, a Ph.D. candidate in Computational Media at the University of California, Santa Cruz, specializing in human driver behavior modeling to advance simulation-based autonomous vehicle (AV) testing. My journey began with a Bachelor's degree in Computer Science and Engineering from the Bangladesh University of Engineering and Technology (BUET), followed by a Master's in Computational Media at UCSC.

Game Development & Industry Contributions

My passion for game development led me to co-found a game studio in Bangladesh during my sophomore year. I’ve published several successful games, including the culturally significant "Heroes of 71," which has amassed over 10 million downloads. Throughout this journey, I’ve taken on roles as a game programmer and level designer, honing my skills in creating immersive gaming experiences.

At UCSC, I aimed to deepen my understanding of game development and game engine technology. This journey led to my involvement in a Ford-funded project where I developed synthetic road networks using the Unreal Engine for AV testing simulations. My current research builds on this experience, focusing on generating realistic accident scenarios through human driver modeling, thereby enhancing AV testing accuracy.

Technical Expertise

My technical expertise spans multiple domains. In programming, I am proficient in Python, C++, C#, and JavaScript. I have extensive experience with data analysis and visualization tools such as Anaconda, Matplotlib, Pandas, NumPy, and OpenCV. My machine learning skills are supported by knowledge of frameworks like PyTorch, scikit-learn, and OpenAI Gym.

In the realm of game development, I am experienced with engines like Unreal Engine 4, Unity, and Phaser.JS. For AV simulation, I am proficient with tools such as Carla, Apollo, RoadRunner, SUMO, Esmini, and formats like OpenDRIVE and OpenSCENARIO.

Academic & Professional Engagement

My work in autonomous vehicles and game development has led me to actively contribute to the academic community. I have organized workshops, reviewed papers for IEEE conferences, and participated in prestigious events like the IEEE IV 2023 SceGen workshop. I regularly attend conferences such as ITS and ADAS, where I stay at the forefront of advancements in intelligent transportation systems. My achievements have been recognized with awards like the Campus2Career Youth Award and the National ICT Award in 2016.

Personal Interests & Mentorship

Beyond my professional endeavors, I have a deep passion for chess, which I engage in almost daily. I am also committed to mentoring the next generation of researchers. Each year, I volunteer in UCSC’s Summer Internship Program (SIP), guiding high school students as they develop their research skills and gain invaluable experience.

Profile Image Conference IDs ITSC Conference Presentation at ITSC