Paul Toprac

Paul Toprac, Associate Professor of Instruction and Director, Game and Mobile Media Applications (GAMMA) Program, and Principal Investigator of the Simulation and Game Applications (SAGA) Lab.

Paul Toprac is the Associate Professor of Instruction and Director, Game and Mobile Media Program, at The University of Texas at Austin, as well as the Principal Investigator of the Simulation and Game Applications Lab. In this capacity, Toprac had published more than 100 games and apps. Previously, Toprac was at the SMU Guildhall, which offers a master of science in game development degree. Before then, he was the Executive Director of the Austin Technology Council, which he grew to become the then largest independent technology association in Texas. Toprac has more than the twenty years of experience in the software industry, in roles ranging from CEO to product manager to consultant. He also founded a successful computer and software development company in the mid-80s that was later sold.

Torpac holds a Bachelor’s of Science in Chemical Engineering, a Master’s of Business Administration, and a Ph.D. in Learning Technologies from The University of Texas at Austin. Toprac's research interests are game design and development, particularly for learning and motivation. He has written numerous articles and book chapters on how to use digital games to promote motivation and affect emotions. Currently, he is working on educational game projects for middle and high school students.

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