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Ph.D. / Postdoc Alumni
See thesis statements for all Ph.D. alumni...

Dr. Ather Sharif
Computer Science Ph.D. 2024
"Improving the Accessibility of Online Data Visualizations for Screen-Reader Users and Visualization Creators"
Currently on the Bonderman Fellowship
Dr. Mingrui (Ray) Zhang
Information Science Ph.D. 2022
"Towards More Intelligent, Intuitive, and Inclusive Communication with Computers in Text and Images"
Currently at Meta (NYC)
Prof. Anne Spencer Ross
Computer Science Ph.D. 2021
Co-advised with James Fogarty
"A Large-Scale, Multi-Factor Approach to Understanding and Improving Mobile Application Accessibility"
Currently at Bucknell University
Dr. Abdullah Ali
Information Science Ph.D. 2020
"Distributed Interaction Design"
Currently at 3rd Brain
Prof. Alex Mariakakis
Computer Science Ph.D. 2019
Co-advised with Shwetak N. Patel
"Making Medical Assessments Available and Objective Using Smartphone Sensors"
Currently at University of Toronto
Dr. Martez Mott
Information Science Ph.D. 2018
"Improving Touch Accuracy for People with Motor Impairments"
Currently at Microsoft Research
Prof. Abigail Evans
Information Science Ph.D. 2018
Co-advised with Katie Davis
"Adaptive Support for Face-to-Face Collaborative Learning at Tabletop Computers"
Currently at University of York, England
Dr. Katie O'Leary
Information Science Ph.D. 2017
Co-advised with Wanda Pratt
"Designing Chat Guidance for Positive Psychological Change"
Currently at Google
Prof. Kristen Shinohara
Information Science Ph.D. 2017
Co-advised with Wanda Pratt
"Design for Social Accessibility: Incorporating Social Factors in the Design of Accessible Technologies"
Currently at Rochester Institute of Technology
Prof. Shiri Azenkot
Computer Science Ph.D. 2014
Co-advised with Richard E. Ladner
"Eyes-Free Input on Mobile Devices"
Currently at Cornell Tech
Dr. Jessica J. Tran
Electrical Engineering Ph.D. 2014
Co-advised with Eve A. Riskin and Richard E. Ladner
"Human-Centered Optimization of Mobile Sign Language Video Communication"
Currently at Apple
Prof. Parmit K. Chilana
Information Science Ph.D. 2013
Co-advised with Amy J. Ko
"Supporting Users After Software Deployment through Selection-Based Crowdsourced Contextual Help"
Currently at Simon Fraser University
Prof. Jeff Huang
Information Science Ph.D. 2013
Co-advised with Susan Dumais
"Modeling User Behavior and Attention in Search"
Currently at Brown University
Prof. Leah Findlater
Information School postdoctoral researcher 2009-2011
Research was on adaptive touch keyboards and accessible pointing techniques.
Currently at University of Washington
Dr. Shaun K. Kane
Information Science Ph.D. 2011
Co-advised with Richard E. Ladner
"Understanding and Creating Accessible Touch Screen Interactions for Blind People"
Currently at Google PAIR
Dr. Susumu Harada
Computer Science Ph.D. 2010
Co-advised with James A. Landay
"Harnessing the Capacity of the Human Voice for Fluidly Controlling Computer Interfaces"
Currently at Apple
Prof. Krzysztof Z. Gajos
Computer Science Ph.D. 2008
Co-advised with Daniel S. Weld
"Automatically Generating Personalized User Interfaces"
Currently at Harvard University

Other Research Advising

  • Melanie Wells, M.Des. student
  • Anastasia Schaadhardt, iSchool Ph.D. student
  • Lara Hattatoglu, HCDE major
  • Ying-Chao "Tony" Tung, CSE Ph.D. student
  • Erin McAweeney, MSIM student
  • Anya K. Hsu, Informatics major
  • Marijn A. Burger, CSS major, UW Bothell
  • Michael J. Magee, Informatics major
  • Sayna Parsi, Informatics & HCDE major
  • Mayank Goel, CSE Ph.D. student
  • Phillip Pasqual, Informatics major
  • Alex Jansen, iSchool Ph.D. student
  • Eun Kyoung Choe, iSchool Ph.D. student
  • Morgan Dixon, CSE Ph.D. student
  • Jeffrey Bigham, CSE Ph.D. student
  • Jon Froehlich, CSE Ph.D. student
  • Nelson Nogales, iSchool research assistant
  • Tressa Johnson, MLIS student
  • Ben Q. Lee, Informatics major
  • Peter Kamb, Informatics major
  • Fernando Santamarina, ACMS major
  • Chinmay Nirkhe, Lakeside Upper School
  • Dominik Zmuda, Liberty High School

Prospective Ph.D. students: We are always looking for talented new students who want to pursue an ambitious research-driven Ph.D. in HCI. You should have strong skills in at least two of the following: software prototyping, hardware prototyping, design (e.g., product, interface, interaction), quantitative research methods (e.g., experiment design, statistics), or qualitative research methods (e.g., ethnography, grounded theory). Being a great HCI researcher is about having creative original ideas—you must produce new knowledge, not just be good at exams and assignments. To come join us, please apply to the Ph.D. in Information Science and/or the Ph.D. in Computer Science & Engineering.

Masters students and undergraduates: Want to work with us? If you are interested in joining one of our HCI research projects, please contact me. (Please read some of our research papers first.) Note that if you are a working member of our research team, co-authorship and funded travel are possibilities. However, you should expect to join our team for at least two quarters, and you must be willing to put in at least 10 hours/week. Independent study credits may also be arranged.