While I am skilled in understanding human-computer interaction and product design, I go beyond generalist UX skills by leveraging my experience in different fields including nonprofits, museum development, sales, and healthcare.
I utilize these professional experiences, as well as my certification as a Section 508 Trusted Tester and MS in Human-Computer Interaction, to inform my work in creating successful, inclusive, user-centered products.
I believe that user-centered design is vital to product longevity, customer satisfaction, and business success. Moreover, I enjoy creating user experiences that make life easier by solving problems for users and stakeholders.
A Bit About Me
Experience Highlights
Research Assistant, Human-Computer Interaction
The Health, Aging, & Technology Lab
University of Maryland
May 2024 - Present
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Took leadership of a study utilizing multi-autoethnography with intergenerational participants to answer research questions focused on the nature of tech issues, assumptions we make in solving tech issues, and how we categorize and approach tech issues in different roles as users, helpers, and learners
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Spearheaded efforts for researching related works, collecting qualitative data, planning project timelines, and analyzing rich qualitative data with a grounded theory approach. Anticipating first-author position in resulting paper, currently being finished and submitted for review
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Co-led summer intern program (high school and college students) consisting of tasks such as transcription verification, and co-organized collaborative 3D printing workshops with older adults at a retirement community
Graduate Assistant: Digital Design Focus
University of Maryland
Aug 2022 - May 2024
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Redefined brand identity for Dept. of Math's AMSC program with new graphic design materials, marketing materials, brand guidelines, and newsletter campaigns, resulting in a 60% increase in total applications
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Took initiative to improve existing AMSC website by identifying areas of friction for our target users; creating new designs focused on visual appeal, user-friendly interaction, clarity, and accessibility; and independently implementing my designs through front-end coding using HTML and CSS in Joomla
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Increased engagement in New Student Mentor Program by analyzing pain points in previous efforts, implementing creative solutions, and building relationships with students
User Experience Design Intern
Health & Technology Innovation Center at ChristianaCare
Jun 2023 - Aug 2023
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Facilitated deep understanding of five target user groups within agile by analyzing HomeHealth program data and communicating research insights to interdisciplinary team through a suite of user personas, journey maps, and empathy maps
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Collaborated with cross-functional team and product owner in agile Scrum sprint for an in-home consumer robotics study, assisting specifically in understanding target users, advocating for user needs, and illustrating product’s added value to stakeholders
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Designed eye-tracking study for user experience analysis in relation to the pharmaceutical department, to include preparing preliminary research, literature review, and suggested methodology for study design
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Mentored rising juniors with weekly sessions focused on critical thinking skills, analysis of emerging healthcare trends, and application of UX to healthcare
Sales Associate
Club Pilates
Aug 2021 - Aug 2022
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Increased Club's client engagement by booking 3 new prospective clients in free intro classes per shift
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Significantly increased Club’s membership numbers by converting 8-10 prospects to new members per month, presenting sales pitch to new customers, and overcoming customer objections to close the sale
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Repeatedly ranked as one of the top sales associates in commissions for membership sales and product sales by creating a convincing sales pitch, engaging customers, and upselling products
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Tasked with training new sales associates in policies, sales methods, and the ClubReady CRM (Club Pilates's customer relationship management software)
Medical Biller & Office Assistant
Coastal Prosthetics and Orthotics
Oct 2020 - Jul 2021
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Multitasked patient scheduling, practitioner communication, insurance billing, and training new employees including creating a new training manual and several reference guides on billing protocols at manager’s request
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Took on role of insurance billing by actively learning billing protocols on the job to result in becoming key employee for solving claims, billing, and admin issues as recognized for depth of understanding, willingness to help others, and problem-solving skills
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Efficiently managed medical claims with Tricare, out-of-network insurance, and workers' compensation programs, including prior authorizations and claim appeals
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Guided patients through admin and financial process with empathy, communicating their financial options for treatment and assisting patients with lower health literacy to fully understand their options with clarity
Social Media and Community Advocacy Coordinator
United Way of the Virginia Peninsula
Aug 2016 - Aug 2017
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Took initiative to establish digital presence by designing digital content including short videos, digital graphics, photos and other visuals, as well as copywriting for blog articles, ads, letters, and campaigns
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Spearheaded planning and marketing of annual community initiatives including National Volunteer Week 2017 and UWVP’s Day of Caring 2017, which resulted in over 600 volunteers from 35 local companies volunteering in 75 projects with our partner agencies
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Assisted Vice President of Resource & Development in increasing number of donors through event planning, copywriting for agency letters, editing marketing materials, and supporting UWVP rebrand
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Committed to supporting local community nonprofit during undergraduate gap year by fostering relationships between the public, local businesses, and nonprofit agencies
Extracurriculars
Volunteer Roles & Awards
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Graduate Student Advisor
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HCIM Program Committee, Fall 2022 - Spring 2024
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Peer Mentor
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HCIM Program and UXTerps, Fall 2022 - Spring 2024
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Outstanding Graduate Assistant Award Recipient
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University of Maryland, Spring 2024
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THAT Lab Student Researcher
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The Health & Aging Technology Lab, Spring 2024
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MS in Human-Computer Interaction
University of Maryland
May 2024 | 4.0 GPA
BA in Fine Arts
Christopher Newport University
May 2020 | 3.98 GPA Summa Cum Laude
Section 508 Trusted Tester Certification
Department of Homeland Security
Jan 2024
Design
Accessible Design, Agile, Co-Design Methods, Design Frameworks (Behavioral, Cognitive, and Attitudinal), Design Sprints, Design Systems, Inclusive Design, Participatory Design, Product Management, Prototyping, Responsive Design, Scrum, User Interfaces, User Centered Design, User Experience, Wireframing
Research
Accessibility Testing, Card Sorting, Competitive Analysis, Contextual Inquiry, Empathy Maps, Ethnography, Heuristic Evaluation, Journey Maps, Personas, Qualitative and Quantitative Data Triangulation, Surveys, Usability Testing, User Flows, User Interviews
Tools
Adobe Suite (Illustrator, InDesign, Photoshop, Premiere Pro, and XD), ANDI, Canva, CSS, Customer Management Software, Figma, HTML, Joomla, Mailchimp, Miro, Sketch, UserZoom, WAVE, WordPress