User Experience Researcher Adobe (contract) | 2022- Present Design, conduct, and analyze research to uncover actionable, data driven insights to advocate for users and elevate their user experience with the product
Lead creative + rigorous studies (i.e., moderated interviews, unmoderated tests, concept testing, longitudinal studies, etc.) for foundational and generative research to identify and understand underserved user needs and determine opportunities within workflows to add value to the product
Optimized product readiness for launch through critical user insights, mitigating potential roadblocks and challenges
Influenced crucial design iterations, boosting user experience and product performance
Delivered research-driven insights that shaped product roadmap, aligning it with user needs and market trends
Shared timely and actionable insights to cross-functional partners (PM, PMM, Design, Engineering) to help inform andguide business strategy and decision making
Graduate Researcher UCSD + Scripps Research | 2015 – 2021 Led a team of 20 to conduct quantitative and qualitative research to evaluate the effectiveness of educational scaffolds, such as explanation prompts and counterfactual questions for 1500 children and adult respondents.
Authored 3 first author, peer reviewed publications in high-impact journals and presented at 5 national conferences to broadly share findings and insights to academic and general audiences, including stakeholders
Research Technician California Institute of Technology | 2013 – 2015 Collaborated with senior scientists to investigate and analyze key proteins in the brain that regulate behavior
Co-authored 3 publications in high-impact journals
HIGHER ED + OUTREACH
Interim SI Coordinator UCSD | 2021-2022 Hired, trained, and managed 114 Supplemental Instructors in 46 unique courses to support undergraduates through collaborative learning opportunities. Interim Graduate Coordinator UCSD | 2021 Counseled current graduate students and the Dept. Chair on university policy and procedures, provided academic advising, and managed $2M budget for 80 graduate students
DiVERGE (Diversity Visitation Event for Research and Graduate Education) mentor Scripps Research | 2021 Served as mentor to undergraduate students from underrepresented groups and disadvantaged backgrounds, providing feedback on internship/graduate applications
Outreach Co-Chair for Network for Women in Science (NWiS) Scripps Research | 2015-2019 Advocated for inclusive policies and developed programs to expand participation among historically marginalized groups
EDUCATION
Ph.D. in Neuroscience Scripps Research Institute (Neuroscience) and UCSD (Psychology)Advisors: Dr. Leslie Carver and Dr. Caren Walker (UCSD)
B.S. in Biological Sciences University of California, Santa Barbara