Welcome to my website! My name is Ashtan Mistal, and I am currently a double major in Physics and Computer Science at the University of British Columbia. I am also a teaching assistant for the Computer Science 110 course at UBC, an introductory course on systematic program design. Outside of this, I am a residence advisor on campus, where I support residents in their academic and personal development through a variety of programs and events and peer-to-peer support.

Throughout my studies, I have developed a passion for computer graphics and computer vision, and this has helped shape some of my personal projects (see Projects tab on this page). Connection with the real world is what drives this interest: Computer graphics allows us to create virtual worlds that are indistinguishable from the real world, and also to simulate complex physical phenomena. The latter provides the forefront of scientific discovery, and is a key component of many of the technologies that we use today. Computer vision also provides interaction with the real world - this time in a conceptually opposite way, by allowing us to extract information from the real world through cameras and sensors and making sense of it and using it to make decisions. Both of these allow for greater integration and connection between the virtual and real worlds, and I am excited to see where this will go in the future.

Taking a combination of both Physics and Computer Science has allowed me to develop a strong foundation in both fields and also begin to understand the slice of knowledge that is the intersection between the two. I believe this intersection is where some of the most exciting and impactful research is being done.

In my spare time, I enjoy Tae Kwon Do, music production, digital art, mountain biking, hiking, and thrifting. Vancouver provides the perfect backdrop for all of these activities, and I am always looking for new ways to get outside and experience the city and the surrounding area.

I am always looking for new opportunities to learn and grow, and I am looking forward to seeing where this journey takes me. If you would like to get in touch, please feel free to reach out to me through the Contact page (see Contact tab on this page), whether you have any questions about the website material, or just want to chat. I'd be happy to answer questions if you're interested in any of the topics I've covered, or if you're interested in learning more about my experiences.