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"The most successful students are the ones that are able to think deeply about an interesting problem and draw in other areas of interests in their pursuit of knowledge."
Can you briefly go over your academic and professional journey?
Can you briefly go over your academic and professional journey?
Starting from undergrad, I've been at UCSC for almost 9 years! My undergraduate experience shaped my love for games and cognitive psychology, which transferred into my professional journey as a games user researcher and analyst.
What inspired you to pursue a graduate degree?
What inspired you to pursue a graduate degree?
I spent about a year at NetEase Games as a user researcher and after conversations with many researchers in their AI Lab, as well as my own friends at UC Santa Cruz, I found myself wanting to dive deeper into the "gamer brain", specifically how cognitive phenomena occurs in our digital playgrounds.
How would you describe your main research focus to someone outside your field?
How would you describe your main research focus to someone outside your field?
I use player statistics and performance to understand when they're being pushed to their mental limit. I also provide other designers and researchers with key moments and insights without interrupting the player's flow of play.
How did your interests lead you to your current research area in Computational Media/HCI?
How did your interests lead you to your current research area in Computational Media/HCI?
The computational media and HCI program at UC Santa Cruz has many amazing labs that work within the area of games and psychology. I found myself at Dr. El-Nasr's lab due to a shared interest in esports and large data processing.
"I found myself wanting to dive deeper into the "gamer brain", specifically how cognitive phenomena occurs in our digital playgrounds."
What has been the most rewarding or exciting moment in your research so far?
What has been the most rewarding or exciting moment in your research so far?
Most recently, it was getting to collaborate with Activision and being able to travel to the United Kingdom to present my dissertation work.
What are your career goals now that you've completed your degree?
What are your career goals now that you've completed your degree?
I'd like to work as a mixed-methods user researcher or analyst in any capacity that draws me to the company's mission and user's voice.
What would you say to students who are considering joining our lab?
What would you say to students who are considering joining our lab?
These last 4 years have been an amazing experience with supportive lab members, and a strong PI to lead. I believe the most successful students are the ones that are able to think deeply about an interesting problem and draw in other areas of interests in their pursuit of knowledge.
Is there a paper that has had a lasting impact on you - one you often return to or that shaped how you think about research? Why?
Is there a paper that has had a lasting impact on you - one you often return to or that shaped how you think about research? Why?
Not a paper but a book called "The Gamer's Brain" by Celia Hodent. This book was one of my first exposures to games within the context of research, academia, and psychology.
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