For the past year, I have been researching how ride-hailing technology can be improved to better accommodate older adults. See my publication in the Stanford digital repository.

ABSTRACT:
​Although existing research indicates the potential for ride-hailing apps to address mobility challenges and improve the quality of life for older adults, the proportion of older adults adopting this technology is growing proportionally at a much slower rate. This thesis aims to answer the research question: what design affordances are being made by ride-hailing companies for older adults, and how can the design be improved to better accommodate an aging population? To answer the first part of the research question, I used mixed methods to address four key areas of communication, presentation, implementation, and perception of the technology. First, I conducted a content analysis of the National Aging and Disability Transportation Center and Uber and Lyft blog posts and webpages to understand communication of the product. The key themes identified from the content analysis informed the presentation studies; I conducted a product evaluation of the Uber and Lyft apps and observational study at the San Francisco International Airport, a key area of ride-hailing usage in the United States. Finally, to understand the perception of the app, I conducted a survey that yielded 380+ responses across 45 states, and interviews with 10 older adult participants from suburbs and major cities within Santa Clara and Los Angeles County. This thesis concludes that 1) older adults face a combination of technical and physical usability challenges that result in safety and comfort concerns in using ride-hailing services Uber and Lyft, and 2) there is a significant need for further research into the intersection of digital apps and transportation for older adults. Ultimately, this thesis offers novel data into current older adult interactions with ride-hailing systems, and provides insights and implications for the future of aging and mobility that can be used by designers, researchers, and policymakers.

In 2019-2020, I worked on a research report for Engineering for Change. Specifically, we are conducted research into the state of Engineering for Global Development in North America.

The research we are looking to includes Water, Health, Infrastructure, Transportation, Habitat, and Sanitation. Specifically, we are looking for research that pertains to these sectors in developing countries. The paper and report were presented at the Impact Engineered Conference in October 2019, and the publication is available here.

This summer, I had the opportunity to work at Amazon Lab126 as a Technical Program Manager Intern. Specifically, I was working on customer safety-related escalations. My work consisted of a combination of engineering and product-management related tasks.

Specific tasks included researching particular products and driving initiatives follow the data analysis. My days consisted of:

1. Rigorous data analysis to understand and define issues.
2. Designing and conducting reliability experiments.
3. Communicating these results to engineering teams and leadership.

My internship culminated in a white paper, several interim research reports, and a better understanding and appreciation for safety and sustainability in the product development lifecycle.

As recruiting director, I directed a photoshoot for our sorority, and designed all flyers and promotional materials. The theme was Glow Up, to indicate the support and warmth offered in community. The goal was to convey an environment for personal growth and a bright future.

I come from a family of musicians, so music played a huge role in my upbringing, childhood, and has colored a large portion of my worldview today.

See some of my works:

China 2018-2019 Tour:
www.youtube.com/watch?v=i230WC_quUY
www.youtube.com/watch?v=R5JsYBh4P0c
​Blog: Theora Time Capsule

Stanford Concerto Competition Winner Performance, Bing Concert Hall 2016-2017:
www.youtube.com/watch?v=4OAEXwVMfqY

Schoenfeld International Competition Winner's Recital, Tsuen Wan Town Hall, Hong Kong 2013:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bzEV9rylWbM

Classical KUSC, Colburn Concerto Competition Winner, Broadcast Live at LACMA 2013:
www.youtube.com/watch?v=j3BUP3F6FHg

Additional:
-Featured on "Electric Island, Acoustic Sea" with Daniel Ho, Grammy-Award winning artist and producer, and Tak Matsumoto, Grammy Award-winning Japanese guitarist. 


Artist resume available upon request.

During my time at NASA Ames this summer, I helped develop an app that would help astronomers upload their photometric data from telescopes, and visualize galaxies. I also helped develop a number of image analysis and statistical test features.

As a freshman, I also worked with a three-person team to design and launch an app, "Habitlab," which aims to help people gain control over their online browsing habits. See the app here.

Conducted research at the intersection of mechanical, bio, and fluids engineering. Designed a cost-effective experiment from scratch that isolated the effects of temperature and viscosity on jellyfish morphology as a model organism for other oceanic species.

During my research, I both learned, and self-taught myself a variety of skills:

• Experimental design.
• How to operate a rheometer and viscometer.
• Object and image tracking via Matlab.
• Setup of aquariums; pumping, tubings, connecting valves, and flow regulation within a tank.
• Jellyfish husbandry and developmental regulation, and preparation of strobilation chemical.
• Data collection and cleaning; 400+ hours spent in lab and parsed over 60 hours of footage.

As Balloonerang Team Lead, I led a talented team of 5 engineers to research and prototype on mechanical design, board fabrication, and aerodynamic research. Responsibilities include project design, organizing design review meetings, and coordinating build sessions. 

 Our goal is to build an energy-efficient autonomous payload that will navigate back to launch site. Last fall, we became the first group to ever do a tethered balloon launch on campus with multiple cut-downs.