Alison's Resume
HCI/ UX researcher & designer with extensive experience in user research, human-centered design, and mixed-methods analysis.
Proven track record of leading virtual reality & telepresence projects, conducting qualitative and quantitative studies, and delivering actionable insights to drive innovation in technology and design.
SKILLS
User Research, Usability Testing, Prototyping, Qualitative & Quantitative Analysis, Surveys & Interviews, Qualtrics, Dovetail, R, Unity VR, Figma, Python, Cross-Functional Teamwork, Stakeholder Communications
EXPERIENCE
Sept. 2020 - June 2025
Graduate Student Researcher
University of California, Santa Cruz
Santa Cruz, CA
Social crowd navigation: led by researchers at Honda Research Institute (HRI). Data collection and study design for training a robot to navigate through a crowd.
Ocean Vision AI: led by a diverse team of marine scientists. Investigating the current constraints and issues with deep-sea imaging processes.
Research Vessel Telepresence: a collaborative project with Monterey Bay Aquarium Research Institute on telework at sea. Understanding the effects and use-cases of telework.
Fire Evacuation Virtual Reality: cross-university project. Designing a VR simulation to prepare users for a wildfire evacuation.
May 2019 - Sept. 2020
ARVR Team Lead
Search Quality Analyst
Lodestone
Menlo Park, CA
As a Team Lead, I managed a growing team of research assistants and analysts. Provided end-to-end support for data collection and annotation of AR/VR tech. Communicated daily with both clients and other vendor annotation teams.
As a Search Quality Analyst, I worked closely with our client to create guidelines and training materials for vendor annotation teams, analyzed the annotation team's results, provided weekly feedback, created examples of high-quality annotations, and addressed any concerns/ difficult to annotate material.
Oct. 2017 - May 2019
Research Assistant
EvoLab Lab Manager
University of California, Merced
Merced, CA
I worked as a Research Assistant (RA) in two labs during my time at UC Merced.
The first was the Sensorimotor Neuroscience lab led by Dr Ramesh Balasubramanian working under then PhD student, Alex Pabst. I assisted in Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (TMS) studies, organized a study calendar and screened participants for TMS use, and independently ran participants in a Motion Capture room.
In the second lab, EvoLab led by Dr Colin Holbrook, I assisted as an RA in Eye Tracker studies to collect data in light/ dark settings. I created and conducted an experiment on Navigational Trust with a roboThespian. As Lab Manager, I organized study schedules, managed the RAs, handled issues with equipment, and assisted in lab meetings.
Aug. 2018 - May 2019
Student Ambassador
University of California, Merced
Merced, CA
As a student ambassador, I specialized in working with transfer students interested in applying to UC campuses.
I tabled and presented at local schools and colleges across the California Central Valley region.
EDUCATION
2020 - 2025
University of California, Santa Cruz
Computational Media, PhD
Santa Cruz, CA
Worked as a researcher in Dr. Leila Takayama's HRI Lab. Completed all introductory Computational Media coursework. Passed the First Year Exam.
Transitioned to Dr. Sri Kurniawan's ASSIST Lab where I currently work as a researcher. Completed all required courses and the Comprehensive Exam.
2017 - 2019
University of California, Merced
Cognitive Science, BA
Merced, CA
Research Assistant in two Cognitive Science labs: the Sensorimotor Neuroscience lab and EvoLab.
Secretary -- Cognitive Science Student Association.
Dean's & Chancellor's Honors List.
Graduated with Honors.
Received the Outstanding Graduating Student Award for the Cognitive Science department.
AWARDS & CERTIFICATES
-
Professional Communication Certificate Program @ UC Santa Cruz (Dec 2024)
-
Best Paper Award at Virtual Reality Software and Technology '21 Conference
-
Cognitive Science's Outstanding Graduating Student Award @ UC Merced (May 2019)