Our People
Susan Millar, emeritus director
A cultural anthropologist by training, Millar’s work has focused on organizational change and student and faculty learning associated with efforts to improve education in the science and engineering disciplines. Millar also serves as a senior scientist at UW-Madison’s Center for Education Research, where she is principal investigator for two National Science Foundation-funded projects: “Mobilizing Science, Technology, Education and Mathematics (STEM) Education for a Sustainable Future” and “Culture, Cognition and Evaluation of STEM Higher Education Reform.”
Kurt Squire, interim director, creative director
An associate professor in UW-Madison’s Educational Communications and Technology division of the department of Curriculum and Instruction, Squire is co-director of the Games, Learning and Society Research Group (www.gameslearningsociety.org). A former Montessori and primary school teacher, Squire also has served as research manager of the Games-to-Teach Project at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology and co-director of the Education Arcade. He is an internationally recognized leader in games and learning, and the author of more than 50 publications on games and learning.
Brian Pelletier, art director
An art director with extensive experience in developing overall vision and artistic direction for high quality console and PC games, Brian Pelletier was instrumental in designing and developing games from inception to completion for more than 16 released titles during his 18 years with Raven Software. Additionally, Pelletier has served as creative director for three high profile projects and was responsible for art direction and aesthetic vision for eight highly acclaimed titles.
Postdoctoral Fellow
Ben Shapiro
Research associate Ben Shapiro utilizes his background in the learning sciences, computer science and cognitive science to create and improve educational technologies. Shapiro received his Ph.D. in learning sciences from Northwestern University, where he was a member of the Information Infrastructure Systems research group (at the University of Chicago) and the Center for Connected Learning and Computer-Based Modeling.
Staff
Mark Ahrens
As an administrative assistant, Mark Ahrens supports the education research group by helping manage the lab, providing human resources support and assisting the directors, among other duties. Ahrens holds a B.S. in psychology from UW-Platteville and has 19 years administrative experience.
Aaron Bahr
Game developer Aaron Bahr brings nearly a decade of game programming experience to his role at the Morgridge Institute, including work on game play and tools for the triple-A titles Rune-Viking Warlord, Prey, QuakeIV, Wolfenstein and Singularity. Bahr is interested in template meta programming, computer language design and modular software design and is looking forward to researching new ways of engaging players and future game designers.
Michael Beall
As a 2-D and 3-D artist, assistant research specialist Michael Beall collaborates with team members on artwork and game design for projects related to the life sciences. Beall previously helped found Heatbees Studios, a student-run game development team.
John Karczewski
As a game developer, John Karczewski is tasked with the implementation of game systems and features. Karczewski previously worked on Saints Row: The Third and Red Faction Armageddon at Volition and holds a B.S. in computer science from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign.
Ted Lauterbach
Game developer Ted Lauterbach specializes in experimental prototype games and has created more than a dozen games for competitions and Game Jams, several of which have ranked and won honors. As an assistant research specialist, he has been responsible for a large amount of programming as well as designing sound effects and music on the Virulent project.
Meagan Rothschild
Media design and community building specialist and Ph.D. dissertator Meagan Rothschild moved to Madison to join the Games, Learning and Society group after early work as an instructional game designer at Pacific Resources for Education and Learning (PREL) piqued her academic curiosity regarding the role of innovative technologies in learning. Her research emphasizes games and transmedia as learning tools for school-age children.
Jake Ruesch
As an artist and graphic/web designer, assistant research specialist Jake Ruesch creates 2-D concepts, polished graphics and illustrations, graphical user interfaces, promotional materials and websites for a variety of educational games. Ruesch holds a B.S. in graphic design from Herzing University and was a six-time ADDY (American Advertising Federation) Award winner in the Student Category.
Allison Salmon
Game developer Allison Salmon brings her experience as a software engineer and game industry veteran to the Pathfinder project. During her years in the game industry, Salmon has worked on seven triple-A titles including Quake 4, X-Men Origins: Wolverine and Singularity. She is excited to be exploring the new and challenging aspects of game development for research and education.
Becky Torrisi
As a former developer of administrative information systems, Becky Torrisi brings experience with a wide variety of administrative functions to her position as project manager. Torrisi understands the importance of efficiency in management and providing staff with the tools they need to succeed. She also is a believer in lifelong learning.
Greg Vaughan
As a software developer, assistant research specialist Greg Vaughan currently is working on two games, one designed to educate faculty about race and gender bias and the other focused on teaching anatomy to medical students. Vaughan, a long-time developer of Windows applications, holds a B.S. in game development from Herzing University.
Adam Wiens
As a 2-D and 3-D artist, assistant research specialist Adam Wiens works on artwork and game design for projects related to biology and the life sciences. Wiens holds a B.F.A. in painting and illustration from the College of Visual arts in St. Paul, Minn., and worked for six years developing interactive, educational websites and multimedia applications for the Learning Technologies Center at the Science Museum of Minnesota.
Key Consultant
Erin Robinson
Independent game developer Erin Robinson is a key consultant for the Pathfinder project. Robinson has created numerous award-winning games, including PAX 10 finalist Puzzle Bots. She received her Honors B.Sc. in psychology from Queen's University in Canada.
Students
Sarah Chu
A doctoral student in curriculum and instruction, Sarah Chu is interested in the design of games in science museums. She also has worked with Constance Steinkuehler's research team to examine learning and literacy in massively multiplayer online games. Chu received her M.Ed. in educational technology from York University and an Honors B.A. in visual studies from the University of Toronto.
Shannon Harris
A doctoral student in curriculum and instruction, Shannon Harris is interested in digital games related to health and life science learning. She has a corporate background in research and statistics and holds two master's degrees, including an M.S.Ed. in instructional technologies.
Luke Kane
A doctoral student in curriculum and instruction, Luke Kane has been teaching game design to kids for the past three years. He currently is developing a curriculum for Kodu, a Microsoft-produced game design tool, which he is using in his after-school game design clubs.
Adam Mechtley
A doctoral student in education communications and technology and a National Science Foundation Graduate Fellow, Adam Mechtley has worked as a technical artist and programmer in the game industry since 2004. He also operates his own business focused on science games, Candlelight Interactive. Mechtley's research centers on epistemology development and game design for the construction of social knowledge.
Dennis Paiz-Ramirez
A doctoral student in curriculum and instruction, Dennis Paiz-Ramirez is interested in how new technologies are used in informal learning environments and seeks to create engaging and impacting experiences through games. Paiz-Ramirez received his M.A. in learning design and technology from Stanford University and an Honors B.S. in computer science from the University of New Mexico.
Jason Palmer
As a 2-D and 3-D artist, intern Jason Palmer works on artwork and game design elements for projects related to biology and the life sciences. He currently is pursuing an associate’s degree in game art and animation from Madison Media Institute.
