Resume - Winnie Tsai

Education

Master of Entertainment Technology

Carnegie Mellon University

2024.08 - Expected 2026

Focus: Interactive Experience Design, UX Research, Gameplay Programming
Selected Coursework: UX Research Methods, Transformational Game Design, Computer Systems
Projects: Spelunx, TACIT, Metacognition Game, EiAi

BS in Applied & Computational Mathematical Sciences

University of Washington

2019.09 - 2023.12

Option: Discrete Math and Algorithms | Minor: Dance
Selected Coursework: Data Structures & Algorithms, Programming Languages, Compiler Construction, Mathematical Modeling (Discrete, Continuous), Design Methods, Marketing Strategy

Experience

Graduate Researcher & Developer

Carnegie Mellon University - Entertainment Technology Center

2024.08 – Present

spelunx - CAVERN Toolkit SDK: Led UX research on developer and player experience for novel immersive platforms; conducted audio design research; developed gameplay samples demonstrating design best practices
TACIT - VR Haptics Emotional Storytelling R&D: Produced research project investigating haptic feedback for emotional resonance in VR; designed playtesting strategy; rapid prototyped to playtesting artifacts; engineered final experience

Marketing Intern

VIVERSE (HTC Corporation)

2022.06 - 2022.08

Assisted in the development of marketing materials and user documentation
Facilitated community engagement initiatives on Discord to promote user feedback and collaboration
Conducted competitive analysis to identify market trends and user needs

System Development Intern

Everlight Electronics (World’s 5th largest LED Company with 6400+ global employees)

2020.09 - 2020.12

Developed an intranet system report using HTML, ASP.NET, and SQL to track employee workout data, improving data accessibility and supporting the Wellness Program’s reward distribution.
Automated data visualization with Tableau, after self-learning it in two weeks, to present insights on exercise frequencies, enhancing strategic decision-making.
Produced a Tableau dashboard for medical-mask distribution, utilizing SQL Server to preprocess raw data, aiding in material planning and HR arrangements during COVID-19, leading to the issuance of 189,879 masks from 2020-2023.

Selected Projects

Breathe Deep - Global Game Jam 2025 Jammers Award

Unity, C#, FMOD

2025.01

Implemented bubble mechanics andadaptive audio system using FMOD; served as programmer and technical sound designer

EiAi

Mixed Methods Research

2025 Spring

Researched experience of UX designers using LLM tools to understand hard-to-reach user populations through mixed methods research including contextual inquiry, usability testing, speed dating, and assumption artifacts

Language and Compiler

Functional Programming Language Interpreter (Racket), Compiler construction (Java)

2023 Spring, 2023 Autumn

MiniJava Compiler - Engineered an object-oriented language compiler using Java17. Integrated JFlex and CUP tool for lexical analysis (tokenization) and parsing. Applied the Visitor pattern on an Abstract Syntax Tree (AST) for type checking and translated high-level code into x86-64 assembly language for code generation.

Made-Up Programming Language (MUPL) - Built a dynamically typed functional programming language interpreter in Racket. Implemented closures for first-class functions to enable runtime scope resolution, and higher-order functions with macro-like constructs to extend the language.

Technical Skills

Development: Unity, C#, Java, C/C++, Python, JavaScript/HTML/CSS, Git, Perforce

Research & Design: Mixed Methods Research, Usability Testing, User Flow Analysis, Figma, Prototyping

Creative Tech: VR/XR, FMOD, Adaptive Audio, SDK Development, Technical Sound Design

Process: Agile/Scrum, Playtesting Strategy, Cross-Disciplinary Communication, Production Management