About

I am a PhD candidate in the Department of Computer Science at Virginia Tech. I work in the Center for Human-Computer Interaction under the supervision of Prof. Steve Harrison. I also collaborate with Dr. Carman Neustaedter from Kodak Research Labs.

My dissertation research focuses on examining implications of a domestic media space on communication, connectedness and awareness between distance separated families. My other research interest are in design and design methodologies, computer mediated communication, remote collaboration, CSCW, and user experience.

I also collaborate with Dr. Rex Hartson and Dr. Pardha Pyla on researching a methodology to aid designers in making the transition between contextual analysis to design of a new system. The methodology will center on affinity diagrams.

I hold a bachelors degree in Computer Science from the University of Wisconsin-Madison. During the summer of 2005, I was offered CRA-W’s Distributed Mentor Project (DMP) scholarship. I was mentored by Dr. Linda Shapiro from the University of Washington on the CAIS project. In 2008 I worked as a Usability Engineer at Meridium in Roanoke, Virginia. Last summer I had the opportunity to work with Dr. Carman Neustaedter at Kodak Research Labs on technologies to aid communication between distance separated families.

Recent news and upcoming events

March 2010: Our paper “The Family Window: The Design and Evaluation of a Domestic Media Space” was nominated for best paper at CHI 2010.

March 2010: Received the Davenport Fellowship for academic achievements from the Department of Computer Science at Virginia Tech.

February 2010: I will be presenting our video “The Family Window: Connecting Families Over Distance” at CSCW 2010.

December 2009: Received my Masters in Computer Science from Virginia Tech.

December 2009: Three papers accepted to CHI 2010 – domestic media spaces, video conferencing in the home, and community & groupware in geocaching.

November 2009: Our video “The Family Window: Connecting Families Over Distance” was accepted at CSCW 2010.

September 2009: I will be organizing a workshop called “Bridging the Gap: Moving From Contextual Analysis to Design” at CHI 2010. Check out the workshop website for more details.

May 2009: Elected as President of the Computer Science Graduate Council for the academic year 2009-2010.

March 2009: Invited to be a speaker at the CRA-W Grad Cohort in San Mateo, CA.

March 2009: Accepted a research internship position at Kodak Research Labs. This summer I will be working with Dr. Carman Neustaedter in Rochester, NY.

March 2009: Awarded the Pratt Fellowship by the Department of Computer Science at Virginia Tech.

February 2009: Invited to present my research at the Spring 2009 CSRC Career Night.