Hi, my name is Sarah. I’m a 3rd-year Ph.D. student in the Human-Centered Computing program at the University of Florida. I’m currently a graduate researcher as part of the Embodied Learning and Experience (ELX) Lab under Dr. Sharon Lynn Chu. Here are some of my research interests and qualifications:

Interactive Digital Narratives:

The narratives we consume and share with others are powerful things, and my dissertation work focuses on how we might use interactive digital narratives as an intervention in therapy.

Creativity Support Tools:

We gesture to share ideas with each other, but what if as we gestured, those ideas were captured and translated into meaningful visualizations to support our creative process? One of my favorite research endeavors has been investigating how to translate ideas from gesture through motion capture, and I’m excited to see where my colleagues and I go next!

Interaction Design for Children:

I’m happy to be part of an ongoing grant that investigates how allowing children to create their stories through motion capture aid in their writing tasks in school. Children have specific needs when it comes to interactive technologies, and working with them gives you a sense that what you’re researching is truly impactful.

Education

  • Ph.D. 2023

    Ph.D. in Human-Centered Computing

    University of Florida, Gainesville

  • Bachelor's 2018

    Bachelor of Science in Visualization

    Texas A&M University, College Station

Positions

  • Present2018

    Graduate Researcher at the Embodied Learning and Experience Lab

    University of Florida, Gainesville

  • 20182018

    Undergraduate Researcher at the StoryLab

    Texas A&M University, College Station

Scholarships and Awards

  • 2020
    Generation NEXT Scholar
    A need-based scholarship which forms a scholarly cohort of Ph.D. students. $5,000 a year until graduation.
  • 2018
    Graduate School Preeminence Award
    Competitive research assistantship towards Ph.D. study in Human-Centered Computing. Value estimated at $219,145.
  • 2018
    Graduation Honors Distinction for Research
    Distinction awarded for completion of the Undergraduate Research Scholar’s program, which includes the writing of an undergraduate thesis.
  • 2014
    Century Scholar
    4-year scholarship awarded for academic achievement and co-curricular involvement, as well as continued volunteer work throughout term as a Century Scholar. $20,000 over 4 years.
  • 2014
    Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo Scholar
    4-year scholarship awarded for academic achievement, leadership, and financial need. $20,000 over 4 years.