Résumé

Lead engineer of a SSHRC-funded research group on game design.

• Build the tools and technical infrastructure for the group.
• Productizing a research method for traceable design: tools that blend Git-based version control with reflective design practice.
• Set the group's technical direction and mentor student researchers across projects.

Shipped 11 research and production projects across web, mobile and games as developer, designer and technical lead.

• SunBlock — an autonomous solar-powered game server end to end: solar hardware, Python systems software, a Java Minecraft mod, a live React dashboard. Featured on CTV News.
• Life on the Edge — a game analytics engine turning gameplay into measurable learning outcomes for a SSHRC study.
• Artreach — sole engineer for a production platform connecting university research to the public.
• PoEMM — revived 8 legacy iOS interactive artworks and re-shipped them to the App Store.
• The Jagged Time — the digital version of a physical board game.

Co-founded a social discovery startup connecting university students through brand-sponsored competitions.

• Owned the product end to end, from user research and design to launch on the App Store and Play Store.
• Built the iOS and Android apps in React Native; architected the backend in Django (migrated from Laravel) on AWS.
• Reached product-market fit: 1,000+ active users at UCL in the first year, expanding to other London universities.
• Ran competitions with brand partners including Razer and Hard Rock Cafe, validating a sponsorship revenue model.
• Hired and led a team of 5 engineers.

• Fixed the socket-connection failure breaking Visualix, a 3D indoor-mapping product — the blocker holding up the company's acquisition.
• Built features for a real-time critical-alerts messaging system; prototyped e-commerce apps in React Native.

Thesis: Prose — reimagining the academic article as a digital-native, interactive experience.

McDonald, R., Ali, M.S., Saggio, Q., Simon, B.

Khaled, R., Sinervo, K., Ali, M.S., et al.