Vancouver, BC

Atif M. Mahmud

Atif M. Mahmud

XR software engineer, neuroscience researcher, and entrepreneur building tools at the intersection of gaming and neuroscience.

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About

Making learning stick

I'm a software engineer and computational neuroscience researcher based in beautiful British Columbia.

My interests are in the field of interactive technology and cognitive training. I believe that the proper use of effective digital tools and interventions can improve brain health and lead to better quality of life.

Skills
Unity Unreal
Meta Quest VR/AR
C++ C# C Java Python
Git Perforce Plastic SCM
EEG

Work Experience

Where I've built

Neurofeedback Software Engineer2026 - present
SFU Tangible Embodied Child-Computer Interaction (TECI) Laboratory

Building Mindfull, a Unity app that uses real-time EEG to help kids manage their emotions. Added wearable attention and relaxation tracking, plus LAN multiplayer so guardians can watch sessions and adjust difficulty as they go.

Neuroscience Researcher2025 - 2025
SFU Computational Neuroscience Research Laboratory

Ran EEG sessions and 42 interviews for a study on how Apple Watch sleep and exercise tracking affects cognition, from setup through data collection.

Unity XR Developer2025 - 2025
ReframeXR

Built a pipeline so new 3D models could be uploaded through a web dashboard and loaded straight into a Quest 3 app, no rebuild needed. Also moved the codebase from MRTK to OpenXR.

VR SDK Software Engineer2022 - 2024
Cognitive3D

Built core features for a VR analytics SDK that worked across Quest, Vive, Pico, and HP Omnicept: tracking, multiplayer analytics for Photon, and docs that helped other developers get up to speed faster.

VR Developer Coach2022 - 2023
P2L Inc.

Led a 4-person team building a VR training app for ice-resurfacer operators. Wrote the core gameplay systems in Unity and ran sprint planning.

XR Developer2021 - 2022
Teck Resources Ltd.

Built early versions of two tools for mine planning: a 3D annotation app geoscientists could use together, and a live map combining terrain data with vehicle tracking.

VR Software Engineer2020 - 2021
PrecisionOS Technology

Led a VR surgical trainer that cut training time for a femoral nail procedure. Built in Unreal/Blueprints and refined based on direct feedback from surgeons.

Technical Lead & Project Coordinator2019 - 2020
UBC Emerging Media Lab

Led the team behind ScholarsVR, a VR world that teaches scholarly writing through gameplay. Also helped build a separate VR tool that simulates patient interviews for med students.

Projects

Things I've made

Cognitve Load Classifier

EEG based classification of cognitive task/load.

Neuroviz

3D visualization to teach brain anatomy.

gARden

An augmented reality gardening / education experience.

Mobile VR Livestream

Streaming live video into a mobile VR headset.

UNO in C++

A terminal-based implementation of the card game.

Education

Where I've studied

MSc Computational Neuroscience GPA 4.07/4.33
2025 - present
Simon Fraser University

Surrey, BC

BASc Computer Engineering (Minor in Commerce)
2014 - 2020
University of British Columbia

Vancouver, BC

Volunteering

Some of my volunteering endeavours...

Inclusive Canada Foundation Logo
NeuraXtension Logo
FIFA WC 26 Logo
BCMA Logo
Foundation for a path forward logo
IEEE Logo
UBC EUS Logo
UBC ECESS Logo
UBC RHA Logo
Project Be
1di Logo
Green Channel