I received my Ph.D. in Human-Centered Computing at the University of Maryland, Baltimore County where I was advised by Dr. Foad Hamidi and Dr. Helena Mentis. Before that, I worked with Dr. Amy Hurst. My primary research interests are in the areas of computer-supported cooperative work, assistive technology/accessibility, and engineering education.

For my dissertation research, I was part of a team working to create a living laboratory in the form of a youth-staffed 3D print shop at the Digital Harbor Foundation in Baltimore, Maryland. In this context, my research examined how youth employees collaborate on and coordinate complex work in order to determine how we can better support this population as they prepare to enter the professional workforce. I used mixed methods over a three year period to identify collaboration strategies and workarounds used by the youth, characterize their usage of communication tools in support of collaborative work and identify factors influencing their usage behaviors, and better understand their attitudes and perceptions towards workplace communication technologies and practices.

Besides my dissertation, I had the opportunity to work in several other areas during my graduate career. Some of these include:

• Worked as part of a team working to inform the design of a wearable indoor navigation aid for people who are blind.

• Examined applications for 3D printing and scanning technologies in physical therapy practice (e.g., supporting the development of custom assistive devices).

• Examined the use of 3D printing as a means to engage underrepresented minorities in STEM.

• Examined youth attitudes towards assessment tools in an afterschool maker learning program.

• Explored design considerations for technologies to support people who are blind with medication management/adherence.