Scarborough, Ontario, Canada
Hi, I'm Navya! A little bit about me: I have a background in Forensic Psychology, and a curiosity for the world and the people in it. Whether analyzing crime scene evidence, creating events, or pursuing music and art, I bring energy and enthusiasm to everything I do. Currently, I’m part of a team developing an educational video game that brings forensics to life, blending science with creative storytelling to teach players how to navigate different forensic scenarios, from crime scene to the courtroom. My capstone project was an extension of this video game project, as I'm developing a proof of concept for a generative AI tool to assess and evaluate expert testimony to occupy the courtroom level of the game. This project combines my interests in law, science, and technology in a way that’s both challenging and incredibly rewarding. Beyond my studies and project work, I’m also active in community leadership, where I focus on creating inclusive, engaging spaces for students. Through my roles as a Residence Don and mentor with the IVNVI Forensic Society’s MAP program, I demonstrate my passion for education, mentorship, and helping others grow in both student life and the forensic field! What sets me apart: My academic and professional experiences are enriched by my artistic pursuits. I find creative freedom and community outside traditional "boxes". Balancing my artistic ventures with my forensic path has taught me adaptability, shaping my unique approach to problem-solving and collaboration. As an extrovert, I’m passionate about connecting with people and making complex ideas relatable. I aim to create spaces, whether in a lab, a meeting, or a music venue, that invite curiosity and inspire confidence.
Returned for a second season in the same position, continuing with similar duties and responsibilities from the previous year with a new cohort of 24 scholars.
▪ Managed online presence and engaged with the audience, addressing guest concerns and fostering connections with bands. ▪ Actively contributed to the organization of local shows, overseeing event venue logistics. ▪ Spearheaded advertising efforts and collaborated on ticket sales to ensure event success. ▪ Welcomed and assisted guests at the event's entrance, ensuring a positive and seamless experience. ▪ Gained comprehensive experience in event coordination, from initial planning to on-site execution. ▪ Fostered valuable connections and contributed to the overall success of each event.
▪ Led a multidisciplinary team of Forensic Science Coordinators, serving as the primary point of contact. ▪ Leveraged my dual expertise in forensic science and game development to help translate complex forensic concepts into engaging, pedagogically sound game mechanics. ▪ Provided ongoing mentorship and technical support to both forensic and computer science students, fostering cross-disciplinary communication and collaborative problem-solving. ▪ Oversaw the design and construction of in-game crime scenes, ensuring accuracy and educational value through narrative planning, evidence selection, and scene layout. ▪ Helped coordinate site visits and led asset collection efforts, including reference photos and documentation used in the visual development of game environments.
- Led the full design and implementation of Scholars-in- Residence programming through the month of May, creating 4 weeks of academic, professional, and community-building sessions for a cohort of 25 students. - Cultivated partnerships with UTM departments, alumni services, external speakers, and cross-campus partners by using personal networks, ensuring high-quality collaborations during the program. - Managed full program infrastructure including Quercus course page creation, attendance tracking, communications, travel, residence life, and live session coordination, ensuring consistent, high-quality delivery. - Served as the primary liaison for both students and research supervisors, offering real-time problem-solving and personalized support as a representative of the Office of the Vice-Principal, Academic and Dean - Led the program’s post-delivery development phase, producing a guide for future coordinators, automating administrative workflows for future iterations of the program, and conducting research into student motivation and experiential learning to inform long-term program improvement.
▪ Collaborated with forensic science and computer science teams to help develop an educational forensic-themed video game, contributing forensic science expertise and creative writing skills. ▪ Built some experience using Ren’py to build and pitch a digital forensic module ▪ Designed and documented realistic mock crime scenes for game production, ensuring authenticity and educational value. ▪ Participated in user testing, providing feedback to enhance game functionality and user experience
▪ Served as Group Leader for children aged 4-12, guiding my team through various activities and fostering a sense of belonging and team spirit. ▪ Acted as Arts and Crafts Lead Coach, developing artistic and teaching skills while ensuring a calm learning atmosphere. ▪ Introduced engaging activities as Games Lead, focusing on strength and conditioning for gymnastics. ▪ Set-up and clean-up processes of the gym at the beginning and end of each day, organizing activities for the following day. ▪ Balanced extroversion and authority, allowing for effective communication with children. ▪ Developed leadership capabilities and the ability to create an inclusive and enjoyable environment for campers. ▪ Emphasized the importance of positive relationships with children, while building a dynamic skill set in arts, teaching, and physical activities.