I am a mixed-methods researcher with 12 years of research experience. My work leans qualitative and I particularly enjoy conducting generative research to discover design opportunities and align with long-term product roadmaps. I take a participatory approach to conducting ethical research and often involve users and stakeholders in hands-on research activities.
I currently work remotely as a Senior User Experience Researcher for PPL, an electric utility company based in Allentown, PA. I lead research projects through every stage, from identifying product opportunities and research objectives, to recruiting participants and facilitating the sessions, to synthesizing findings and delivering actionable insights. I support multiple product teams, across employee and customer experiences, and collaborate closely with cross-functional stakeholders from product and design.
In my previous life, I was an academic conducting research and teaching in the field of Human-Computer Interaction. I hold a PhD in Technology & Social Behavior from Northwestern University. I used mixed methods in my academic research to design and evaluate technology to support users' interpersonal relationships and provide them with social support. I published my work in top venues and presented internationally. Today, I draw on my academic training to determine the appropriate research methods for each project, balancing the need for research rigor with the realities of product timelines and budgetary constraints.
Before leaving academia, I was a tenure-track faculty member in the Computer Science Department at Colgate University. I taught courses on User-Centered Design & Research, Python Programming, and Community & Identity on the Internet. I've also taught Design and Programming for the Web at Cornell University, User-Centered Design at DePaul University, and Communication Research at Northwestern University. In my work today, I draw on this teaching experience to communicate effectively with various audiences, promote user-centered approaches, and mentor junior researchers.
