Research Projects
Dating Across Color Lines
Overview: A project assigned in my Behavioral Research course, that led me to explore opinions on interracial dating. Presented as a survey study exploring perceptions of interracial relationships among young adults, focusing on curiosity, family acceptance, and cultural challenges.
My Role:
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Designed and distributed the survey and consent forms to participants.
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Developed questions targeting perceptions, comfort levels, and social influences.
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Analyzed both quantitative and qualitative data.
Key Insights:
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Positive curiosity exists, but family approval remains a strong barrier.
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Cultural misunderstandings were commonly cited as challenges.
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Growing openness among younger participants reflects shifting social norms.
Takeaway: This project sharpened my skills in survey design, data analysis, and synthesizing insights into themes that reveal social attitudes.
Students and FOMO
Overview: Collaborative study for my Seminar in Psychology course. This study talked about how fear of missing out impacts academic motivation and well-being among undergraduate students.
My Role:
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Interviewed 4 undergraduate students. (each group member had to interview at least 4 students).
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Collected information during these interviews and applied it to the group report.
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Presented findings as part of a group report.
Key Insights:
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Students with higher FOMO scores reported lower academic motivation.
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Many described feeling pressured to stay online at the expense of studying.
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Social media acted as both a motivator and a distraction.
Takeaway: I learned how to conduct an interview and create important questions that will influence key information that is needed for research. This project strengthened my teamwork skills while confirming my interest in research on digital behaviors.
Smarter Campus Navigation
Overview: Starting college can be overwhelming, from navigating large campuses to finding classrooms and adjusting socially. This speculative case study imagines how a campus navigation app could better support new students.
My Role:
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Conducted research on common first-year student struggles by interviewing.
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Created proto personas based on real student experiences (including my own).
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Designed a hypothetical research plan focusing on wayfinding and social adjustment.
Methods: Interviews, observation of navigation behavior, and usability testing of existing campus maps/apps.
Key Insights:
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Students often rely on friends or random passerby for directions.
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Existing campus apps/maps are unorganized, outdated, or hard to read.
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Anxiety around being late makes poor navigation a stress trigger.
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Students want not just directions, but contextual info such as "quiet study spots" or "nearest food".
Potential Solutions:
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Turn-by-turn indoor and outdoor navigation (GPS and building maps).
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Customizable filters (study spaces, dining halls, social spots).
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Community tips/reviews
Takeaway: This project demonstrates how UX research can tackle real-world problems beyond screens. By applying interviews, usability testing, and observation, this ensures that researchers can improve student onboarding, reduce anxiety, and create a smoother first-year experience.
