New York University(May 2012) • Digital Media Design for Learning (MA)
Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute (2008) • Games and Simulation Arts and Sciences (BS) w/ a concentration in Human-Computer Interaction
• Psychology (BS)
Honors & Awards [IGDA] IGDA GDC Scholar (2012)
[NYU] Steinhardt Graduate Scholarship
[RPI] Rensselear Medal Recipient
[RPI] Rensselaer Alumni Scholarship (2004/2005)
[RPI] James W. Gaynor '30/31 Memorial Scholarship (2005/2006)
Maintain and develop the global AI System z curriculum repository, organize annual Professor Summer Seminars, student tours of IBM Poughkeepsie, and industry and academia roundtables, attend conferences representing the Academic Initiative, and maintain the team email account. Create and maintain relationships with educational institutions and develop curriculum and skills key to 21st century industry.
User Experience Design, z/OS
6 / 2008 - 9 / 2009
Performed heuristic evaluations, created user stories, engaged with customers, and prototyped designs for various z/OS software..
1st Playable Productions
Associate Designer, Club Penguin: Elite Penguin Force
1 / 2008 - 5 / 2008
Performed design work (writing design documents, scripting), gameplay tuning, and playtest setup for Club Penguin DS.
Game Developers Conference
Conference Associate (CA)
2008,2009,2010,2011
Volunteered as a conference associate at GDC '08, '09, '10 and '11. Performed various tasks to help the conference run smoothly.
IBM
User Experience Intern, z/OS
5 / 2007 - 8 / 2007
Researched and designed a solution to simplify the z/OS Installation and Migration process which lowered the required experience level, shortened procedure time and reduced costs. Created low-fidelity prototypes (paper and PowerPoint) using an iterative design process to identify user interaction and features necessary in the design, which was a living-system, knowledge-acquisition repository. Developed design through literature review, client interviews, and feedback from subject matter experts.
RPI EMPAC
Student worker
9 / 2004 - 5 / 2008
I worked as a cashier, greeter and sales representative as summer employment.
Apple Retail
Concierge
Summer 2005, Summer 2006, Winter 2006
Cashier, greeter and sales representative as summer employment and seasonal employment.
Research performed during the User Seminar's class senior year (2008) was written up to be included in a publication. Worked with Professor Patricia Search, Amanda Rotondo, and Marsha Harner on the write up.
Wriggle Project
5 / 2006 - 6/2008
Assisted with the development of an installation-based game exploring the emotional contagion of game mechanics. Iteratively designed games with various inputs and mechanics. Approached designing with the Wii remote from the hacker mentality of using functionality of the Wii remote with a computer with non-conventional placement (ie on top of the head, at waist). More details on the RESEARCH page.
CapAbility Games Project
9 / 2006 - 5 / 2008
Project managed and assisted with design of a grocery store simulation to aid those with disabilities in learning life skills. Collaborated directly with clients at Albany’s Center for Disability Services to determine best user inputs and features. Installed at Albany’s Center for Disability Services in May, 2008.
More details, please see RESEARCH.
A partnership between IBM, P-Tech High School, and CUNY CityTech in Brooklyn, NY. I mentor a 9th grade female student on career aspirations and general school topics, on a weekly basis, mostly online, with 2 in person events during the year.