Strategically minded researcher with extensive experience transforming ambiguous problems into well-defined research questions and actionable insights—highly focused on tangible product outcomes. Skilled in empathy-building techniques and effectively engaging both research subjects and stakeholders. A unique background in theater combined with rigorous contextual research training enables deeper, more authentic connections with participants. AI fluency across generative AI research methods, ML behavior modeling, and automation is a key differentiator.
- Collaborate closely with design teams conducting research in a SaaS environment using surveys, usability studies, and research software to gather actionable user insights
- Isolated and captured an entirely new use case for the product, enabling engagement and pursuit of a previously untapped customer segment
- Created a cross-functional cooperation program between design and UXR that reduced meeting time by 3 hours per week with no reduction in productivity
- Pioneered research on a variety of internal generative AI programs and software across multiple teams
- Adapted existing methods and created new ones to study novel gen AI tools with teams who had never previously worked with User Research
- Used collaborative communication and deep understanding of stakeholder goals to win over teams run by staunch skeptics of user research, integrating practices seamlessly into day-to-day decisions
- Conducted foundational research that defined how AI should be incorporated into Facebook creation across multiple apps
- Spearheaded new research models adopted by 12+ teams across multiple products; reduced heuristic UX review turnaround time by 60%
- Created media sampling procedures and trained 40+ labelers in the company’s largest reels media study; defined 7 key narratives that shaped organization’s understanding of the digital ecosystem and influenced product-wide long-term strategy
- Generated a companywide user empathy program recognized by the head of product
- Led formative research for Facebook’s US Reels launch, supporting 0-to-1 products and feature integration domestically and internationally
- Spearheaded research initiatives to conceptualize and develop an ML algorithm focused on music listening behavior using data analysis and modeling techniques
- Defined and recruited high-value user collaborators, maintaining a community of 2,000+ motivated users for rapid usability assessments, cultural suitability tests, and cognitive load evaluations
- Leveraged theatrical and marketing skills to secure over $1M in venture capital investment
- Applied contextual design and game techniques to develop internal intervention tools for clients including Microsoft, General Motors, and Facebook
- Led teams of 3–4 on contract-based research projects, completing 20+ projects on time or ahead of schedule—sometimes on timelines as short as 2 weeks
Research Methods
Quantitative
Tools & Software
Data & Analysis
AI & Emerging
Leadership
Montgomery County Parks: Pocket Map App
Designed a technology tool to increase park attendance and engagement among Millennials. Addressed a wide and diverse user group, creating tech for a typically tech-free experience using a full contextual design process.
Career Power Intervention Tool
Collaborated with Karen Holtzblatt at University of Maryland to create a research-based intervention game helping women in tech fields using a modified contextual design process.
DUST Alternate Reality Game
Created an alternate reality game with NASA and Brigham-Young University targeting inner-city youth, incorporating STEM lesson plans across platforms with user-research-driven character design.
UMD Library: Rental System Redesign
Conducted user testing on Library Media Services website. Used interviews, usability tests, and iterative A/B testing to identify and solve problematic UX issues.
Block Bot Social Network Analysis
In-depth analysis of the social network blocked on Twitter by BlockBot programs. Reorganized and colored nodes by modularity class to discern specific community groups.
- Video Production Manager — Helpful Media Productions · 3 years
- Alternate Reality Designer — Smithsonian Museum · 1 year