When I was a boy and I would see scary things in the news, my mother would say to me, “Look for the helpers. You will always find people who are helping.”

Fred Rogers

Naomi Burgess

Experience Designer

As a writer and game designer, Naomi has worked in a multitude of genres and mediums, including screenwriting, RPG writing, video games and more. She has also taught a number of arts-related courses and workshops: just a few of the topics she’s lectured on in the past include animated film, game programming, dramatic writing and environmental storytelling.

www.pressatostart.wixsite.com/naomiburgess

Marissa Doerger

Artist

Marissa comes from a background in biology, art, and museums.  Through her studies at the ETC, she is hoping to better learn and understand how experiences are crafted to develop resources for education.  As of a fan of Fred Rogers and his work in early childhood education, Marissa is elated for the opportunity to be on Project 143.

www.mdoerger.com

Xuhao (Tom) Du

Programmer

Tom comes from a background in computer science. He is interested in gameplay programming and game design. Also as a new fan of Mister Rogers, Tom is very excited to work on Project 143.

www.xuhaodu.com

Qianye (Renee) Mei

Programmer

Renee is a second-year master’s student at the Entertainment Technology Center. She has worked both as a programmer and a tech artist on multiple XR projects. Renee hopes to utilize her hybrid skillset to create and innovate interactive experience on cutting-edge platforms.

www.rmei.me

Keran Sui

Artist, Co-producer

Keran is a first-year student at Carnegie Mellon University, Entertainment Technology Center. She has experience in 3D and 2D art, and in computer science related field. She works as an artist and co-producer in this project, which in charge of making models and animation, designing UI, and help the team communicate with the Fred Rogers Center.

www.holictsuba.weebly.com

Conor Triplett

Experience Engineer, Co-producer

Conor studied mechanical engineering at the University of Notre Dame, with concentrations in design, manufacturing, and psychology. He hopes to integrate all of those disciplines, as well as his love of story-telling, into creating meaningful and innovative products and experiences for people. 

www.conortriplett.com

Shirley Saldamarco

Faculty Instructor

Shirley is an entrepreneur, a producer and an educator. She has a background in theatre from Carnegie Mellon School of Drama and Producer for national programming at WQED-TV. As President of Interactive Media Productions, the company she founded in 1982, she produces a variety of Broadcast and Non-broadcast programs. 

Ricardo Washington

Faculty Instructor

Ricardo serves as an adjunct faculty member at the Carnegie Mellon University’s Entertainment Technology Center. He specializes in giving the students instruction and guidance in art related areas of their program.