Resume
My research interests lie in the intersection of inclusive and accessible designs, health informatics, and the intricate needs of diverse users. My goals are to increase user engagement and dispel any confusion and pain points in the overall user experience. Trained in the rigor of academic research and design methodologies, I find creative yet evidence-based design solutions to challenging problems. I bring flexibility, technical expertise, and an ability to collaborate and communicate with multidisciplinary teams.
Experience
2019 - present
Graduate Research Assistant |
University of British Columbia
My thesis explores the accessibility of mental health technologies with emphasis on the intersection of stigma and non-Western cultures (C1, C2). Next steps involve implementing and evaluating multimodal interactions on social sharing platforms focusing on sharing introspective stories. My other roles include interacting and critiquing other students' research, and advising 3 undergrad students. I am also presenting at CHI 2023 Doctoral Consortium (C7).
2022 - present
Graduate Research Assistant |
University of British Columbia
UX research and design lead | School of Nursing
I am responsible for developing design artifacts and prototypes of an app to support health self-management among older adults (65+) with cancer and multimorbidities.
2019 - present
Graduate Teaching Assistant |
University of British Columbia
Advising and grading project teams that use Design Thinking in a graduate level HCI course (CPSC 544) and an undergraduate level HCI course (CPSC 444)
2016 - 2019
Research Assistant |
University of Washington
Collaborated in and co-authored several projects in family sleep tracking (C3, C4), sleep sensors (C5), and collaborative social planning (C6)
Education
2019 - present
University of British Columbia |
Vancouver, BC
PhD
Computer Science (HCI)
Expected graduation late 2024
2015 - 2018
University of Washington |
Seattle, WA
Master of Science
Human Centered Design & Engineering
2012 - 2014
University of Washington |
Seattle, WA
Bachelor of Science
Computer Engineering
Skills and Experience
I have experience in applying UX and HCI research and design fundamentals, including:
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Usability testing, survey design, interviews, contextual inquiries, participatory design, diary studies, thematic analysis, journey mapping, persona development, literature review, focus groups, technical writing, experimental design and analysis
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Interaction design (IA), wireframing, Prototyping, Information Visualization, storyboarding
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Figma, Adobe XD, Sketch, Axure
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Web Programming (HTML,CSS,JS), Java/Android, Systems Programming, Python, Version Control(Git)
Publications
I have several papers in top HCI conferences and other venues: https://dblp.org/pid/194/9653.html
C1
C2
C3
C4
C5
C6
C7
Sang-Wha Sien, Shalini Mohan, and Joanna McGrenere. 2022. Exploring Design Opportunities for Supporting Mental Wellbeing Among East Asian University Students in Canada. CHI '22. https://doi.org/10.1145/3491102.3517710
Sang-Wha Sien, Jessica Ahn, and Joanna McGrenere. 2023. Co-designing Mental Health Technologies with International University Students in Canada. Under submission at CSCW '23.
Laura R. Pina, Sang-Wha Sien, Teresa Ward, Jason C. Yip, Sean A. Munson, James Fogarty, and Julie A. Kientz. 2017. From Personal Informatics to Family Informatics: Understanding Family Practices around Health Monitoring. CSCW '17. https://doi.org/10.1145/2998181.2998362
Laura Pina, Sang-Wha Sien, Clarissa Song, Teresa M. Ward, James Fogarty, Sean A. Munson, and Julie A. Kientz. 2020. DreamCatcher: Exploring How Parents and School-Age Children can Track and Review Sleep Information Together. CSCW '20. https://doi.org/10.1145/3392882
Ruth Ravichandran, Sang-Wha Sien, Shwetak N. Patel, Julie A. Kientz, and Laura R. Pina. 2017. Making Sense of Sleep Sensors: How Sleep Sensing Technologies Support and Undermine Sleep Health. CHI '17. https://doi.org/10.1145/3025453.3025557
Sungsoo (Ray) Hong, Minhyang (Mia) Suh, Tae Soo Kim, Irina Smoke, Sangwha Sien, Janet Ng, Mark Zachry, and Juho Kim. 2019. Design for Collaborative Information-Seeking: Understanding User Challenges and Deploying Collaborative Dynamic Queries. CSCW '19. https://doi.org/10.1145/3359208
Sang-Wha Sien. 2023. Designing for Inclusivity and Accessibility of Mental Health Technologies. Accepted at CHI 2023 Doctoral Consortium.
Awards and Honors
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HCDE Capstone Showcase 2018 "Best in Show" | University of Washington
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Designing for People (DFP) Graduate Entrance Grant (GEG) Award 2019 | University of British Columbia
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DFP CREATE Design Showcase 2021 “Best Poster” Award | University of British Columbia
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DFP CREATE Design Showcase 2022 "Best Poster" Award | University of British Columbia
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UBC Computer Science 2022 Best Teaching Assistant | University of British Columbia
Volunteering Work
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CS Grad Wellbeing Representative (2019 - 2021)
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DFP Committe Student Volunteer (2021 - present)
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CHI 2022 Student Volunteer
Mentoring Experience
Oct 2022-present
Apr 2022-present
Mar 2021-present
Jan-Sep 2021
Jan-Sep 2020
Ireena Baro (UBC undergrad in Computer Science)
Francis Kobekyaa (UBC PhD student in Nursing)
Jessica Ahn (UBC research assistant in Educational Psychology and Special Education)
Edward Lin (UBC undergrad in Cognitive Systems)
Shalini Mohan (UBC undergrad in Cognitive Systems)