Research Experience

Monterosso Neuroeconomics Lab

Role: Undergraduate research assistant

Team: Dr. Monterosso, graduate students, lab coordinator, and other RAs

I worked as a research assistant on the Neuroeconomics of Sugars study, helping to prepare and scan patients using functional Magnetic Resonance Imaging (fMRI). The participants performed a variety of tasks designed to measure their future discount preferences in the scanner and did so after drinking either a sugary punch or placebo. Preliminary data from the study links a stronger tendency toward future discounting to more impulsive food choices in the present and potential obesity rates among the general public. Read more about the Monterosso Lab here.

Mindpass customer discovery and UX research

Role, Team, and Timeline: for more information, see Mindpass page

While working at Mindpass, I interviewed a number of potential customers to determine the existence and nature of the password problem. Such interviews focused on maintaining impartiality and limiting potential sources of responder bias. This research yielded key insights, such as the fact that schools are relatively insensitive to changes in electronic security and have higher switching costs than many large institutions. While we originally thought children’s enjoyment would drive adoption of Mindpass in schools, this turned out to be an incomplete assumption.

After conducting these interviews, I also observed and solicited feedback for various parts of the Mindpass user experience. Such UX testing helped us identify key improvements and also pre-existing strengths within the product. For example, we found most users were able to memorize a Mindpass that was used only a demo, making such memorization completely unintentional.