Zinan (Zina) Z., 25 – Funded
Meet Zinan Z. (she/her), a 1DF Scholarship winner who is pursuing Human and Computer Interaction at The Pennsylvania State University.
What is your dream?
My dream is to become a researcher and scholar in the field of human-computer interaction, with a focus on video games and player safety, particularly for vulnerable and underrepresented groups such as children and women. I want to conduct research that helps create safer, more inclusive, and more enjoyable digital gaming experiences while informing the design of future technologies and online communities.
I am currently halfway through my Ph.D., working toward this goal. Through my research, I hope to contribute meaningful knowledge that influences both academic research and industry practices. Ultimately, I aspire to build a career as a scholar who advances the field while mentoring future researchers and helping shape technologies that positively impact people’s lives.
Please share how you feel about the win and what impact it will have on your career.
This award is both an honor and an encouragement to continue pursuing my dream of becoming a researcher in human-computer interaction.
What advice do you have for others reaching for their dreams?
Be brave enough to pursue the opportunities that others may not yet see. If you notice a gap or an unmet need that no one else is addressing, don’t be afraid to explore it—it could be your chance to create something meaningful and make a real difference. Trust your curiosity, believe in your perspective, and have the courage to turn your ideas into reality.
What else would you like to share about you and your win?
My name is Zina Z. and I am a Ph.D. student at Penn State University researching human-computer interaction, with a focus on video games and player safety—particularly for children and other vulnerable communities. I am incredibly excited and grateful to be selected as a recipient of the 1,000 Dreams Scholarship Fund. This is the first scholarship I have received from outside my institution, which makes this recognition especially meaningful and encouraging.
I will use this award to support conference travel so I can present my research, exchange ideas with researchers from around the world, and continue growing as a scholar. This opportunity not only eases the financial burden of attending conferences but also brings me one step closer to my dream of advancing research that helps create safer and more inclusive online gaming experiences for everyone.
