Sujan Shrestha
associate professor
Division of Science, Information Arts and Technologies
Contact Information:
Phone: 410.837.5888
E-mail: sshrestha@ubalt.edu
M.F.A., B.A., University of Maryland, Baltimore County
I am an American citizen, born and raised in Kathmandu, Nepal – home to eight of the world’s ten highest mountains and massively integrated multi-ethnic cultures. Growing up in the valleys overlooking the Himalayas, I draw my experiences in teaching, research and service from nature and cultures. After completing high school, I immigrated to the United States to study experimental art and interactive media. My graduate research focused on film theory and new media genre at the University of Maryland Baltimore County (UMBC).
I started my academic career in 2008 as an assistant professor at Towson University’s department of art where I helped kick-start the game and animation program. Starting a new program with a new direction and strategies, writing courses, and collaborating with students, faculty, staff and the community was the most rewarding experience at Towson University. I began my teaching career at the University of Baltimore’s Division of Science, Information Arts, and Technologies (SIAT) in 2013. As an associate professor in the Simulation and Game Design (SGD) program, I often teach multi-player game design theory, serious games, 3D modeling and animation and history of video games courses.
My research focuses in the broad area of teaching and learning through games and digital interactive technology. At UBalt, I enjoy working with curious and motivated students, who are passionate about games and game theory in developing meaningful technology to help others. My research interests branch off in the domain of digital humanities, primarily in the sustainability of historical and cultural artifacts. It allows me to find solutions in a meaningful restoration and preservation of the history by means of storytelling, games and emerging technology. As a storyteller, I enjoy engaging the audience through the lens of identity and culture. As a developer, I relish in making the repository of digital history that can be accessible to all. As a visual artist, I appreciate collaborating in the domain of mathematics, arts and sciences with people around the world that can have meaningful outcomes.
In 2014 I established the GameLab, a multi-purpose interdisciplinary laboratory to support students in the area of Science, Technology, Engineering, Mathematics (STEM) through the arts (STEAM).
I also serve as a board member and a treasurer of the Bridges Organization, which oversees the annual Bridges conference on mathematical connections in art, music, architecture, education, and culture.