Dr. Nour Hossain is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Information Sciences and Technology at the University at Albany, within the College of Emergency Preparedness, Homeland Security and Cybersecurity. He is the founder and director of the Kernel of Nexus (KofN) – The AI-Driven Innovation Center, a research lab where minds, technology and gaming converge to advance education, health science, smart city and beyond.

Prior to joining UAlbany, Dr. Hossain served as an Assistant Professor of Computer Science and Informatics at Indiana University Kokomo, where he led the CS Innovation Research Group. He has a proven record of guiding undergraduate and graduate students from diverse backgrounds, fostering innovation through mentorship and bridging the gap between academia and industry.

His research explores the intersections of artificial intelligence, game design and development, virtual and augmented reality, software engineering and education technology. Several of his projects have received recognition, including the VR Counting project for K–12 learners, which attracted media coverage and demonstrated the potential of immersive technologies in education.

Beyond academia, Dr. Hossain co-founded a software company (aamira.ca) that fosters collaboration between industry and research communities. He also supervises NWL, a startup fully owned by Aamira Inc. and accessible at thenewwaytolearn.com. He also serves on the board of Education for Underprivileged Talents of Bangladesh (EUTB – eutb.ca), a nonprofit organization that empowers underprivileged youth in Bangladesh through educational opportunities.

He collaborates with partners such as elementary schools for educational initiatives, the police department for training simulations, and Velan Studios to push the limits of game technology. He is actively seeking collaborators in the health industry, hospitals, cities and Departments of Transportation and YOU. Looking ahead, KofN is exploring quantum computing and other cutting-edge innovations, always focused on creating technology that benefits people, communities, and society. 

Research Interests

AI in Game Design and Development

AI-Driven Software Engineering for Smart Cities

Game Analysis, Including Social and Ethical Aspects

Artificial Intelligence, Machine Learning, and Deep Learning

Virtual and Augmented Reality applications in education and health science

Software Engineering and software development methodologies

Human–computer interaction in immersive environments

Educational technology innovation, K–12, college, and lifelong learning

PhD, Software Engineering, McMaster University, Hamilton, Canada

MSc, Computer Science, Brock University, St. Catharines, Ontario, Canada

BSc, Computer Science and Engineering, Rajshahi University of Engineering and Technology, Rajshahi, Bangladesh