Listen "Melanie Stegman, Biochemist and Video Game Developer"
Episode Synopsis
In this episode, I speak with Melanie Stegman, Assistant Professor at the Center for Advanced Entertainment and Learning Technology at Harrisburg University in Pennsylvania. Melanie was interested in biochemistry from an early age, and worked in biochemistry labs while earning an BA in political science. After college, she started writing a story about Amy the Amylase, intending to make molecular cell biology less scary for everyone. To get the biochemistry right in her stories, Melanie pursued a PhD in Molecular Genetics, Biochemistry, and Microbiology from the University of Cincinnati. During her postdoctoral fellowship at Weill Cornell Medical College, Melanie found out about an educational video game being made by a think tank in Washington, DC. Melanie then moved to DC, won a grant to study the game, and based on her research, designed and produced a new game called Immune Defense. After 5 years of trying to get a game studio off the ground, Melanie is now a professor of interactive media and science communication. She creates games about chemistry and teaches game development, while still dabbling in indie game development. Links to resources mentioned in this episodeGame Engines:Unity 3DUnrealConstructGamemakerScratchOther links:Blender 3DItch.ioGames for ChangeScience Game CenterImmune Attack and Immune Defense video gamesInternational Game Developer AssociationGame Developer Conference
More episodes of the podcast Science Lives
Vay Cao, Marketing Manager
01/07/2022
Melanie Peffer, Science Communicator
15/06/2022
Alexis Katsis, Relationship Manager
02/05/2022
Lauren Shields, Professional Services
18/04/2022
Yamilée Toussaint Beach, Dance Technologist
21/03/2022
Ro'ee Gilron, Industry Scientist
28/02/2022