RESEARCH + DESIGN PROJECTS
Founded on customer empathy,
Informed by cognitive science & data science.
As a mixed methods UX Resarcher, I leverage my interdisciplinary background in cognitive science and data science— using cognitive science to understand how the human brain drives user behavior, and data science to tell us which metrics really matter. I tackle customer problems with an empathetic approach that places the user first while simultaneously serving the business by enhancing user conversion and retention. Through my research experience in corporate, scientific, and startup settings, I’ve gained exposure to a vast mix of qualitative and quantitative research methods and can serve the needs of a diverse range of stakeholders. With my technical background in R, Python, and React.js and lean startup experience, I can work cross-functionally in a product team to translate user narratives into powerful and actionable product insights— delivering measurable delight in human-machine interactions.
Key methodologies: in-depth interviewing, usability testing, customer journey mapping, user personas, statistical data analysis, data visualization
Key technologies: R, Python, MATLAB, Figma, React.js, Qualtrics
AI-Assisted Goal-Setting: Empowering employees towards business OKRs
A qualitative usability study I spearheaded at ServiceNow
Employee Persona Strategy: A data-driven approach
A quantitative UX engagement I spearheaded at ServiceNow
Notifications in the workplace: combatting alarm fatigue
A mixed methods survey study I indpendently designed & executed at Zebra Technologies
Vision-guided robotics: building the ideal UX for industrial automation
A qualitative UX engagement I spearheaded at Zebra Technologies
Re-imagining self support for
cloud-based communication
a qualitative UX research study I conducted at Round Feather, Inc. [password protected]
Memory & scams: the influence of age, early life, stress, and trust
a quantitative psychology study I conducted at UCLA’s Memory & Lifespan Cognition Lab
BruinShack: Fostering housing transparency for UCLA students
A webpage prototype I designed for UCLA’s student-run housing accessibility startup
Reimagining DARS: Tackling UCLA’s degree audit system platform
A webpage prototype I led design & ideation on as part of UCLA’s Fundamentals of User Experience program
The Influence of Context and Color Congruence on Decision Making
a quantitative psychology study I conducted at UCLA’s Cognitive Psychology Laboratory
MENTOR TESTIMONIALS
“Kanchan is an exceptional researcher with great intellectual flexibility and an ability to make sense of complex and technical problem spaces. The creative lens with which Kanchan views research allows her to excel when communicating insights to all levels of stakeholders.”
—Isaac Gutjahr, Mentor, Zebra Technologies
“We had an ambitious list of goals for Kanchan and she was able to address and right size the effort to touch each item with great deliverables. Our team as well as our business stakeholders had nothing but great things to say about the skill, attention, and output from Kanchan’s efforts.”
—Richard Martin, Manager, Zebra Technologies
Kanchan is a mature, motivated individual who has a great mind for research and a strong grasp of applying quantitative methods to investigate complex UX problems. She was given a highly ambiguous problem space and she tackled it with confidence, producing thoughtful, relevant insights from large and disparate data sets.
—Darrell Penta, Mentor, ServiceNow