Jessica Hammer
Noteworthy: Hammer, an assistant professor in the Human-Computer Interaction Institute and the Entertainment Technology Center of Carnegie Mellon University, was chosen as one of 30 young scientists under 40 to watch at the World Economic Forum's Annual Meeting of the New Champions in Tianjin, China, in mid-September. She was one of three CMU scientists honored at the meeting, which looked at innovation through technology. Her specialty is studying how games influence human behavior.
Age: 37
Residence: Squirrel Hill
Family: Husband, Chris Hall
Background: Hammer joined CMU in January 2014, directly after finishing her Ph.D. She has worked professionally as a game designer and consultant on game design.
Education: Hammer has a bachelor's degree in computer science from Harvard University, a master's degree in interactive telecommunications from New York University and a Ph.D. in cognitive studies in education from Columbia University.
Quote: “Life is difficult. One thing games can do is help us face it with pleasure and joy.”
— Megha Satyanarayana
