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Meet the GIMM Faculty and Staff

GIMM faculty and staff offices are located on the first and second floors of Albertsons library.

For office hours, please consult your course syllabus or contact faculty directly.

Contact Information

  • Anthony Ellertson headshot

    Anthony Ellertson

    Director and Clinical Professor

    Anthony has been working with interactive media, games, and mobile devices for the majority of the last 20 years. His dissertation centered on an eportfolio project using the Rich Internet Application model long before that term was widely used.

    Prior to coming to Boise State he worked at the University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point. He created the first game development class at UWSP and taught serious and casual gaming for both the Web browser and mobile devices. In 2010, the WDMD program was placed in the Top 50 Game Design programs in the country by the Princeton Review and Game Pro. In 2015, he was a co-recipient of the WOW award from WCET for a virtual reality project for training nursing students on medical procedures.

    Anthony has been working with interactive media, games, and mobile devices for the majority of the last 20 years. His dissertation centered on an eportfolio project using the Rich Internet Application model long before that term was widely used.

    Prior to coming to Boise State he worked at the University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point. He created the first game development class at UWSP and taught serious and casual gaming for both the Web browser and mobile devices. In 2010, the WDMD program was placed in the Top 50 Game Design programs in the country by the Princeton Review and Game Pro. In 2015, he was a co-recipient of the WOW award from WCET for a virtual reality project for training nursing students on medical procedures.

  • Ted Apel headshot

    Ted Apel

    Clinical Associate Professor

    Ted Apel is a Clinical Associate Professor in the GIMM program. Ted is an audio technology researcher and sound artist working with embedded audio devices and signal processing techniques. Ted received his BA from Pomona College, MA from Dartmouth College, and his PhD in computer music from the University of California, San Diego.  He teaches courses in Physical Computing, Interactive Video, Game Design, and Game Audio Programming.
    Ted Apel is a Clinical Associate Professor in the GIMM program. Ted is an audio technology researcher and sound artist working with embedded audio devices and signal processing techniques. Ted received his BA from Pomona College, MA from Dartmouth College, and his PhD in computer music from the University of California, San Diego.  He teaches courses in Physical Computing, Interactive Video, Game Design, and Game Audio Programming.
  • Amod Damle headshot

    Amod Damle

    Clinical Associate Professor

    Damle received a BA in Fine Arts from Sir J. J. School of Art, Mumbai and a master’s in Industrial Design and a Ph.D. in Human Factors Engineering from Ohio State University. His research has been published in leading peer-reviewed journals such as Human Factors and Design Studies. In 2001, The British Broadcasting Corporation published a feature—Artist to Watch—on Damle’s creative work. In 2015, Damle received the national WCET Outstanding Work Award for innovative, educational application of virtual reality. In 2017, his animated film, Bleached, was screened at the Oscar-qualifying Rhode Island International Film Festival. Currently, Damle teaches 3D animation and visual design in GIMM.

    Damle received a BA in Fine Arts from Sir J. J. School of Art, Mumbai and a master’s in Industrial Design and a Ph.D. in Human Factors Engineering from Ohio State University. His research has been published in leading peer-reviewed journals such as Human Factors and Design Studies. In 2001, The British Broadcasting Corporation published a feature—Artist to Watch—on Damle’s creative work. In 2015, Damle received the national WCET Outstanding Work Award for innovative, educational application of virtual reality. In 2017, his animated film, Bleached, was screened at the Oscar-qualifying Rhode Island International Film Festival. Currently, Damle teaches 3D animation and visual design in GIMM.

  • Karen Doty headshot

    Karen Doty

    Clinical Associate Professor

    Karen Doty received both a BFA in visual communication and a BA in journalism from Truman State University. After undergrad, she worked as a graphic designer, illustrator and muralist in Des Moines, Iowa. She returned to graduate school at Iowa State University where she received an MFA in graphic design and a Ph.D. in Human Computer Interaction. Her research focused on user experience practices in evolving technologies including eBooks, wearable mixed reality and virtual user interfaces. Previously she taught as an instructor at Grand View University teaching interactive media and mobile app development. Since arriving at Boise State in 2017, Doty has taught animation, game development, user experience and senior capstone courses for the GIMM department. Additionally, she acts as faculty advisor for the Boise State NASA-SUITS program, a student-led group focusing on development and design for mixed reality applications using the Microsoft HoloLens.

    Karen Doty received both a BFA in visual communication and a BA in journalism from Truman State University. After undergrad, she worked as a graphic designer, illustrator and muralist in Des Moines, Iowa. She returned to graduate school at Iowa State University where she received an MFA in graphic design and a Ph.D. in Human Computer Interaction. Her research focused on user experience practices in evolving technologies including eBooks, wearable mixed reality and virtual user interfaces. Previously she taught as an instructor at Grand View University teaching interactive media and mobile app development. Since arriving at Boise State in 2017, Doty has taught animation, game development, user experience and senior capstone courses for the GIMM department. Additionally, she acts as faculty advisor for the Boise State NASA-SUITS program, a student-led group focusing on development and design for mixed reality applications using the Microsoft HoloLens.

  • Jack Polifka headshot

    Jack Polifka

    Clinical Assistant Professor

    Jack Polifka earned his Ph.D. in Human Computer Interaction at Iowa State University studying how technology can be used to better understand how students use pictures and representations in college science classrooms. Jack also holds a Bachelor of Science in Web and Digital Media Development from the University of Wisconsin, Stevens Point and his M.S. in Human Computer Interaction from Iowa State University. In addition, he has 10+ years of experience as a software developer.  He teaches classes related to web development, the Internet of Things, and job readiness.

    Albertsons Library-First Floor-111A

    Jack Polifka earned his Ph.D. in Human Computer Interaction at Iowa State University studying how technology can be used to better understand how students use pictures and representations in college science classrooms. Jack also holds a Bachelor of Science in Web and Digital Media Development from the University of Wisconsin, Stevens Point and his M.S. in Human Computer Interaction from Iowa State University. In addition, he has 10+ years of experience as a software developer.  He teaches classes related to web development, the Internet of Things, and job readiness.

  • Aaron Gluck headshot

    Aaron Gluck

    Clinical Assistant Professor

    Aaron Gluck received his Bachelor’s degree from Boise State University as a member of GIMM’s first cohort. Aaron went on to earn his Ph.D. at Clemson University in Human-Centered Computing. His graduate research focused on accessible technology from a human-first perspective. Aaron worked as a graduate student in a lab researching and developing accessible human-machine interfaces for autonomous vehicles. However, Aaron’s personal research focuses on how to develop digital features and physical modifications for current virtual reality technologies to increase accessibility for older adults and people with disabilities.

    Albertsons Library-First Floor-111A

    Aaron Gluck received his Bachelor’s degree from Boise State University as a member of GIMM’s first cohort. Aaron went on to earn his Ph.D. at Clemson University in Human-Centered Computing. His graduate research focused on accessible technology from a human-first perspective. Aaron worked as a graduate student in a lab researching and developing accessible human-machine interfaces for autonomous vehicles. However, Aaron’s personal research focuses on how to develop digital features and physical modifications for current virtual reality technologies to increase accessibility for older adults and people with disabilities.

  • Kim Wilcox headshot

    Kim Wilcox

    Business Operations Coordinator

    Kim Wilcox joined the GIMM program in January 2024 and brings a passion for creative collaboration. A graduate of Boise State University, Kim earned her BA in Theatre Arts with a set design emphasis in 2016. Her diverse career includes extensive experience in office management, event coordination, client relations, and customer service. In addition to her professional expertise, Kim is a skilled vocal musician and has devoted over a decade to studying dance and movement. Outside of work, Kim enjoys spending time with her family, friends, and her beloved Malti-poo, Chester.

    Kim Wilcox joined the GIMM program in January 2024 and brings a passion for creative collaboration. A graduate of Boise State University, Kim earned her BA in Theatre Arts with a set design emphasis in 2016. Her diverse career includes extensive experience in office management, event coordination, client relations, and customer service. In addition to her professional expertise, Kim is a skilled vocal musician and has devoted over a decade to studying dance and movement. Outside of work, Kim enjoys spending time with her family, friends, and her beloved Malti-poo, Chester.

  • Brilynne Funderburg headshot

    Brilynne Funderburg

    Academic Advisor

    Brilynne Funderburg joined Boise State University as an Academic Advisor for the GIMM program in Summer 2022. Bri graduated from Boise State in Spring 2022 with a Bachelor’s degree in Games, Interactive Media and Mobile Technology, along with a Minor in Information Technology Management and a Certificate in Elementary Korean. During her time as a student, she was a peer mentor for the GIMM Lab, an artist on the GIMMWorks student development team, and a peer advisor for 1st and 2nd year GIMM students. In her downtime she enjoys reading web comics, illustrating, adding to her duck collection, and playing The Sims 4.

    Brilynne Funderburg joined Boise State University as an Academic Advisor for the GIMM program in Summer 2022. Bri graduated from Boise State in Spring 2022 with a Bachelor’s degree in Games, Interactive Media and Mobile Technology, along with a Minor in Information Technology Management and a Certificate in Elementary Korean. During her time as a student, she was a peer mentor for the GIMM Lab, an artist on the GIMMWorks student development team, and a peer advisor for 1st and 2nd year GIMM students. In her downtime she enjoys reading web comics, illustrating, adding to her duck collection, and playing The Sims 4.

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