Curriculum Vitae (Updated 10.28.09)
CLICK HERE For a PDF Version.
Overview
I conduct research in human-computer interaction (HCI), with an emphasis on ubiquitous computing (UbiComp) and computer supported cooperative work (CSCW). Broadly, I investigate everyday technology use in new contexts, translate my findings into design concepts, then develop and evaluate these concepts in real world settings. My research approach is highly interdisciplinary. I use my industrial design training (e.g., sketching and prototyping) and social science methods (e.g., observations and interviews) to study technology use. With collaborators, I build and evaluate applications to understand their effects on human behavior.
Education
Georgia Institute of Technology, College of Computing, 2004 - 2010 (anticipated).
Ph.D. Candidate in Human-Centered Computing
Thesis Topic: Investigating Techno-Spiritual Practices Among Culturally Different Groups
Committee: Rebecca E. Grinter, Ph.D. (advisor), Elizabeth D. Mynatt, Ph.D., James D. Foley, Ph.D., Genevieve Bell, Ph.D. (Intel), and Jod Forlizzi, Ph.D. (Carnegie Mellon)
Cornell University, Design and Environmental Analysis and Information Science, 2001-2004.
M.S. Applied Research in Human-Environment Relations
Advisors: Lorraine Maxwell, Ph.D.; Phoebe Sengers, Ph.D.
Carnegie Mellon University, School of Design, 1994-1998.
B.F.A. Industrial Design, minor in History
Graduated with College and University Honors
Research Experience
Georgia Institute of Technology, Atlanta,GA, U.S., spring 2003-present.
Graduate Research Assistant with Dr. Rebecca E. Grinter
My dissertation involves formative studies investigating how Information and Communication Technology (ICT)
supports peoples' religious activities or techno-spiritual practices in Atlanta, U.S.; the design and evaluation of a
photo-sharing site in a church comprised of American-born laity and another with Kenyan-immigrant laity.
Georgia Institute of Technology, São Paulo, Brazil, summer 2008.
Graduate Research Assistant
Conducted design oriented fieldwork in São Paulo, Brazil, to explore techno-spiritual practices among
Charismatic Pentecostals. This work involved six-weeks of intensive design fieldwork that included multiple
interviews, home tours, and drawing conceptual technology ideas grounded in my fieldwork.
Intel Research, Berkeley, CA., U.S., and Nairobi, Kenya, summer 2007.
Research Intern
Collaborated with Paul Aoki, Ph.D. to explore techno-spiritual practices in Nairobi, Kenya. This work involved a
six-week period of intensive design fieldwork that included 15 interviews, 10 home tours in middle to middle-upper
income households, and drawing 20 conceptual technology ideas.
Microsoft Research Cambridge, Cambridge, UK, summer 2006.
Research Intern, Socio-Digital Systems Group
Collaborated with Alex Taylor, Ph.D. to explore "pottering" - to occupy oneself in an ineffectual or trifling way in
British homes. Developed a collection of technical design concepts based on our fieldwork.
Professional Design Experience
Intel Corporation, Hillsboro, OR, summer 2004.
Design Research Intern, User-Centered Design Group
Collaborated with an engineer and anthropologist on conceptual designs for baby monitoring systems. Sketched and built prototypes of team's ideas. Presented thesis research at Intel's monthly design lecture and to their People and Practices Research Group (PaPR). Designed and conducted exploratory study
examining working mother's technology needs.
S.C. Johnson and Son, Inc., Racine, WI, summer 2003.
Design Research Intern, Consumer and Product Insights Group
Conducted in-home interviews and observation to inform the development of air fresheners. Introduced industrial design team to new human-centered data gathering techniques. Worked towards creating a company-wide human factors and anthropometric database.
Libbey Inc., Toledo, OH, 1998-2000
Industrial Designer, New Product Development
Collaborated with engineering and marketing departments to develop new glassware products for foodservice, retail, and industrial markets. Responsibilities included researching industry trends, generating concepts, presenting to clients, and seeing projects through to production. Awarded 11 design patents.
Selected Invited Talks (see PDF for all)
"Re-Placing Faith: Reconsidering the Secular-Religious Use Divide in the United States and Kenya." Intel's User Experience Group, Hillsboro, Or., May 27, 2008.
"Fieldwork and Sketching: Translating Research Themes into Conceptual Designs." First annual IxDA conference, Interactions 08. Savannah, Ga., February 9, 2008. [LINK TO VIDEO]
Invited Workshop
Participant in NSF Sponsored Design Workshop, "Interdisciplinary Design as an Instructional Discipline." Nov. 6-7, 2008 at the University of Michigan.
Research Grants and Honors
Georgia Product Development Management Association's Student Design Competition (2008), First Prize for "Sun Dial, "$1,000
S.C. Johnson and Son, Inc. (2002), Gift from Samuel Curtis Johnson, Jr., $50,000
Google Anita Borg Scholarship Finalist (2007)
Clara Dimelow Fellowship (2002), College of Human Ecology, competitive merit-based award, one-semester full tuition and
stipend
Service and Affiliations (see PDF for all)
Georgia Tech Faculty Recruiting Committee, Student Co-chair (2008-2009)Georgia Tech Ph.D. Recruiting Committee, Student Co-chair (2008)
Graduate Leader, Georgia Institute of Technology, Women@CC, Spring 2004-Fall 2005
Georgia Tech Ph.D. Recruiting Committee, Spring 2004 - present
Student Volunteer, Ubicomp 2006
Reviewer, ACM Conference on Human Factors and Computing Systems (CHI) 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008
Reviewer, ACM Conference on Designing for User eXperience (DUX) 2005, 2007
Reviewer, ACM Conference on Computer-Supported Cooperative Work (CSCW) 2008
Reviewer, International Conference on Ubiquitous Computing (UbiComp) 2008
ACM SIG-CHI, 2005-present
Industrial Designers Society of America (IDSA), 1995-present
Juror, National Housewares Manufacturing Association Student Design Competition, 2001