Володимир

Volodymyr Nazarenko, PhD
Associate Professor | Postdoctoral Researcher | International Faculty Officer | Product and Game Development Leader
Kyiv, Ukraine
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Interdisciplinary academic and technology leader with experience across higher education, EU and international research projects, software systems, IoT middleware, communication PaaS/SaaS, web services, and video game production. Leads onsite and distributed teams, teaches at scale, and works at the intersection of AI, sustainability, environmental economics, digital transformation, and applied systems design. Deep technical expertise across Artificial Intelligence, Environmental Economics, Unreal Engine 4 and 5, Web3, and complex IoT middleware. Proven track record of overseeing ground-up, concept-to-product-to-market lifecycles.
LEADERSHIP
On-site and remote teams of 5-30+ across university, startup, and outsourced delivery environments.
TEACHING
6 courses taught each term, 200+ students per term, and annual supervision of Bachelor's and Master's diploma theses.
SCHOLARSHIP
30+ research publications, 1 book, 5 IT course textbooks, and 1 scientific monograph.
DOMAIN COVERAGE
AI, environmental economics, digital transformation, IoT middleware, communication PaaS/SaaS, web services, and game development.
ACADEMIC LEADERSHIP, RESEARCH, AND TEACHING
National University of Life and Environmental Sciences of Ukraine - Kyiv, Ukraine | Mar 2022 - present
• Current and recent roles - Vice Dean, Mar 2022 - present
• - Associate Professor, Department of Computer Networks, Systems and Cybersecurity, Jun 2024 - present
• - International Faculty Officer for International Affairs, Sep 2024 - present
• - Research Staff Member, COPILOT project (EU), 2025 - present
• - Postdoctoral Researcher, DigiAgrar_UA / IAMO project, Jun 2025 - Nov 2025
• - Postdoctoral Researcher in multidisciplinary environmental economics and AI, Oct 2025 - present
• Teach Machine Learning, Video Game Design and Development, Interaction Systems Design, Generative AI, Modern Development, and Graphic Design, serving 200+ students each term.
• Supervise Bachelor's and Master's diploma students each year and oversee software development, game development, and product design projects.
• Contribute to international collaboration, faculty-level institutional development, and research activity in digital transformation, sustainability, and applied AI.
INDUSTRY AND PRODUCT LEADERSHIP
Producer - MGF Software Development - undisclosed UE5 project | Jun 2025 - Mar 2026
• Produced an undisclosed Unreal Engine 5 project with 10+ team members, covering team and project management, design coordination, business planning, and technical supervision.
• Managed multidisciplinary delivery across production, stakeholder communication, and execution planning.
Project Lead - Confidential multiplayer game project | Seattle / Vancouver | Dec 2021 - Oct 2022
• Led game design, platform design, web-service design, client communication, and delivery for a multiplayer UE4/UE5 project with custom integration and Web3-related components.
System Architect and Project Manager - Worlds (US-based startup) | Mar 2022 - Jul 2022
• Led cross-functional teams spanning Web3, JavaScript, product design, technical writing, and Unreal Engine development.
• Owned platform architecture, documentation, task management, and prototype game delivery.
CTO - SentioCX (Netherlands) | Dec 2021 - Mar 2022
• Led system and platform architecture for enterprise middleware based on patented algorithms.
• Worked across communication middleware, C-PaaS/PaaS, chatbots, containers, technical documentation, partner coordination, and shareholder communication.
CTO and Production Lead - Twisted Times Studio (Vancouver) | 2015 - 2020
• Directed game production, art and creative direction, and leadership of a 20+ person UE4 team.
• Led multiplayer FPS development and additional contract game and web projects through production and delivery.
CEO and Lead Designer - Zori Labs (Estonia) | 2018 - 2019
• Led a self-funded startup focused on procedural toolsets for game development and IoT-related projects.
Freelance / Contract Product and Engineering Work - Germany and remote | 2015 - 2017
• Delivered UX/UI, backend, JavaScript, VR, IoT architecture, technical writing, and product work for startups and contract projects, including Kaa IoT Platform, World of VR, Autando.de, Pitch Ground, Izzly, and multiple casual and indie game initiatives.
Game Design and Kickstarter Lead - DynamicX (US) | 2015 - 2016
• Planned Kickstarter and PR activities, game design, and project management for a Unity RPG project.
Earlier Experience | 2008 - 2014
System Analyst, AgroTech; CRM Developer, TB-12; HVAC Architecture Intern, Company Climate Engineering; Database Administrator, NULES of Ukraine; Junior Sales Manager, Ukragrocom.
SELECTED INTERNATIONAL RESEARCH AND R&D PROJECTS
• University of Gothenburg - automotive automation project (Java, UML, manufacturing-line tool creation).
• University of Bonn - cybersecurity research, including Zeus malware analysis, plus separate cryptography research work.
• University of Bristol - robotic arm manufacturing project, multi-robot manipulation planning, and client-server architecture for robotic manufacturing systems.
• National University of Life and Environmental Sciences of Ukraine and Ukrainian Space Research Institute - information system for georeferencing Sich-2 satellite imagery.
• Additional research themes: UAV swarm systems, wireless network DPLC, machine learning, data science, and digital geospatial services.
SCHOLARLY OUTPUT, SERVICE, AND RECOGNITION
• Member of the Council of Young Scientists under the Ministry of Education and Science of Ukraine since Aug 2025.
• Author of 30+ research publications, the book "Design of Interactive Systems", 5 IT course textbooks, and the monograph "Urban Futures Reimagined: Advanced Ecological-Economic Frameworks for Sustainable Growth".
• Active participant in international research conferences and workshops as guest lecturer, speaker, and co-organizer.
• Received official diplomas and commendations for volunteering, research, and educational contributions.
EDUCATION
PhD in Economics, Information Systems and Urbanization - National University of Life and Environmental Sciences of Ukraine | 2021
MSc in Media Informatics - RWTH Aachen University | 2016
MSc in Information Systems and Technology - National University of Life and Environmental Sciences of Ukraine| 2014
CORE EXPERTISE
Leadership and delivery: team and project management, product strategy, roadmap planning, Agile, Scrum, Waterfall, OKR-driven execution, stakeholder management, business planning, and international coordination.
Engineering and research: AI, machine learning, distributed systems, software architecture, IoT middleware, communication PaaS/SaaS, web services, data science, cybersecurity, digital transformation, environmental economics, and sustainability-focused research.
Game and design: Unreal Engine 4/5, Unity, game design, level design, UX/UI, creative direction, graphics, and media workflows.
Programming and platforms: C/C++, Java, Python, JavaScript, SQL, PostgreSQL, MySQL, MS SQL Server, MongoDB, containers, cloud services, and RESTful architecture.
VOLUNTEER SERVICE AND LANGUAGES
• Volunteer in Ukraine during 2014 - 2015 and Feb 2022 - 2023, supporting military, civilian, and animal-aid initiatives through several volunteer organizations.
Languages: Ukrainian and Russian (native); English (TOEFL iBT 103); German (A2); Spanish and Japanese (basic).