I am a Design Researcher at Microsoft, where I investigate intelligent systems that enhance collaborative productivity across Microsoft’s product ecosystem.

I earned my Ph.D. in Computer Science from the University of Notre Dame, where I was a member of the Human Computer Interaction Lab, co-advised by Dr. Ronald Metoyer and Dr. Karla Badillo-Urquiola. Prior to that, I earned an MS in Computer Science from Boise State University, where I was part of the People and Information Research Team.

During my Ph.D., my dissertation focused on designing and evaluating AI-powered knowledge management tools to support community workers who serve underserved and marginalized populations. I employed ethnographic and participatory design methodologies to explore the challenges and information needs in their work practices, with the goal of co-creating technological solutions that enhance their effectiveness and impact. My dissertation was recognized with the 2025 Social Justice Award from the Graduate School at the University of Notre Dame and the 2025 NCWIT Aspirations in Computing Collegiate Award.

My research lies at the intersection of human-computer interaction (HCI) and human-AI collaboration, with a broader commitment to designing equitable and inclusive systems. I am particularly passionate about advancing AI literacy in the Global South, especially in Africa.

Currently, at Microsoft, I continue to explore how intelligent systems can facilitate more inclusive, collaborative, and productive work environments—building on the foundational research and values developed during my academic training.

My work has been published and presented at leading venues including CHI, CSCW, IDC, ICSE, and FAccT, and has been supported by the Jessie Ball duPont Foundation and the National Science Foundation (NSF).

Latest news

• 2025-03
  Big news!!! I was selected as one of the Honorable Mentions for the NCWIT Aspirations in Computing 2025 Collegiate Award!!! More details here.
• 2025-03
  Big news!!! My dissertation won the 2025 Social Justice award at the University of Notre Dame!!! More details here.
• 2025-03
  Defended my dissertation titled "Strengthening Communities: Designing AI for Knowledge Synthesis and Transfer in Social Services." I am now a Dr. of Computer Science!!!
• 2025-03
  Great news!!! Two papers accepted at CSCW 2025. One is a first-authored paper titled "We aren't very sophisticated: An Ethnographic Study of Knowledge Management in Community Social Services." The other is a second-authored paper titled "Online Safety for All: Sociocultural Insights from a Systematic Review of Youth Online Safety in the Global South."
• 2024-10
  Happy to share that our paper "Exploring Knowledge Sharing and Community of Practice Development: A Stakeholders Analysis of Social Service Organizations in a Midwestern Underserved Community" has been accepted to the GROUP 2025 Poster track!!!
• 2024-07
  Thrilled to share that our paper "Examining Mainstream News Media Narratives on Youth Online Safety" has been accepted to the CSCW 2024 Poster track!!! See you all in Costa Rica.
• 2024-03
  Great news! My submission to the #CHI2024 Doctoral Consortium was accepted. I will be presenting my doctoral research titled "Strengthening Communities: Towards AI-Empowered Knowledge Management for Community Social Services."
• 2024-01
  Exciting News!!! Our paper "Cultural Considerations in AI Systems for the Global South: A Systematic Review" is now available in ACM DL! This paper can be accessed here.
• 2024-01
  Thrilled to share that our paper "Integrating Expertise in LLMs: Crafting a Customized Nutrition Assistant with Refined Template Instructions" was accepted at #CHI2024!!! This work was co-authored with my peers, Annalisa Szymanski and Brianna Wimer!
• 2023-11
  I passed my PhD oral candidacy exam! Now a Doctoral Candidate!!!
• 2023-11
  I delivered an invited talk at the Center for Brain, AI & Child at the University of Colorado, Boulder, and presented on "Participatory Research and Ethics of Working with Communities for AI Research" in Dr. Tom Yeh's lab!!!
• 2023-08
  I presented our work "Exploring the Barriers and Potential Opportunities of Technology Integration in Community-based Social Service Organizations" at ACM COMPASS in Cape Town, South Africa!!!
• 2023-04
  I presented our work "Characterizing the Technology Needs of Vulnerable Populations for Participation in Research and Design by Adopting Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs" at CHI2023 in Hamburg, Germany!!!

Travel

• 2023-11-08 to 2023-11-10
  Invited Talk in the Center for Brain, AI, & Child - Boulder, Colorado, USA.
• 2023-09-13 to 2023-09-15
  TAPIA 2023 - Dallas, Texas, USA.
• 2023-08-16 to 2023-08-21
  COMPASS 2023 - Cape Town, South Africa.
• 2023-04-23 to 2023-04-28
  CHI 2023 - Hamburg, Germany.
• 2022-05-30 to 2022-08-22
  Internship at Microsoft - Redmond, Washington, USA.
• 2022-04-30 to 2022-05-06
  CHI 2022 - New Orleans, Louisiana, USA.
• 2022-03-24 to 2022-03-26
  Cra Grad Cohort for IDEALS - San Diego, California, USA.
• 2019-08-08 to 2019-08-11
  NSBC Conference - Atlanta, Georgia, USA.