My Hypothesis
The integration of immersive technology, such as virtual reality (VR), augmented reality (AR), and video mapping environments, in cross-cultural experiences can significantly influence individuals’ perspectives and enhance their ability to empathize with people from different international, socio-economic, political backgrounds.
My background
Since childhood, I’ve been captivated by the intricacies of how the brain functions and the reasons behind why it influences some individuals to be kind-hearted while others may lean toward negativity. I’ve been curious about how we can encourage people to treat each other with greater kindness, ultimately leading to more harmonious lives.
While receiving my BS in Psychobiology at UCLA, I started my career as a research associate at UCLA Medical Center performing clinical research in the Emergency Medicine Department, earning Researcher of the Quarter shortly after taking the position. After transitioning to the technology industry, I built the UX Research team at Elevation Web, working with over 30 nonprofit organizations to create human-centered designs based on quantitative and qualitative research.
Now, I am working to understand and prove my hypothesis, that immersive media can change the world.
My Research
User Research
My approach includes conducting in-depth interviews with available stakeholders, executing usability testing, and integrating qualitative and quantitative research methods. This approach allows me to empathize with users and understand their motivations, ultimately guiding the creation of user-centric designs and seamless interactions.
VR Research
With a multi-disciplinary background in neuroscience and design, I am able to translate theoretical and clinical data into emerging research methods for XR creators, with a particular focus on understanding and measuring user comfort and engagement in VR and AR experiences. I am currently positioned at Tonic3.
Empathy Research
My forever passion project – understanding how we grow, build, and utilize empathy in our modern world.