Can you walk me through your career journey as a UX Researcher?

My background is in academic research from studying neuroscience and working in labs. While I loved the process of doing research, I wanted to work on faster-paced projects that had a strong direct impact. To transition to UX, I went to grad school and earned my master’s degree in human-computer interaction. Afterward, I worked as a UX Researcher for Disney for about a year and a half. Now I’m at theScore!

What are some significant milestones or turning points in your career that have shaped your approach to research?

A big turning point for me as a researcher was becoming embedded in a product team because I became more involved in developing research projects and roadmaps. Now I view a much larger picture, focus more on generative research, collaborate closely with design and product, and consider long-term impacts. 

Could you share a specific project or experience that had an impact on your growth as a researcher? What did you learn from it?

During graduate school, social distancing, masks, and remote learning and work were ubiquitous, so I often had to adapt research methods to be remote-friendly or find new ways to learn from users. This unique and interesting experience taught me how to be flexible and creative as a researcher.

What types of research methodologies or processes do you prefer to follow in your work?

Interviews and surveys are really useful, but I especially like methods that provide contextual information, such as diary studies or contextual inquiries.

Do you have any advice for people who are new to this field and are looking for a career?

Portfolios aren’t just for designers; researchers build and hone portfolios too! You don’t have to have professional experience; your projects can come from school, an online course, or an internship. The important thing is to focus most on telling the story, not only what you did, but also why you made those decisions. And of course, showcase the impact of your work!

What or who are you inspired by?

My parents!


What do you enjoy doing when you aren’t sitting in front of a computer?

Baking, hanging out with friends, trying new places to eat, and sitting in front of a TV 😉

What do you especially enjoy about working for Penn/theScore?

The people! I love my team and have learned a ton from working with them, and we have lots of fun together.