Self-Assessment & Reflection
Below is my reflection on my growth and progress in the PhD program at UMBC. I discuss how my background led me to do the work that I am doing, how I have grown within the program thus far, and my future personal and professional goals.
The Past
My journey has been shaped by several key experiences that have deeply influenced my path and aspirations. During my college years, I discovered my passion for User Experience Design, a field driven by ever-evolving technologies. This led me to pursue further education in the United States, where I focused on Product Design and User Experience as a Master’s student.
During my Master I participated in the design of an augmented reality health application by using Unity Game Engine, which created an interactive platform for storytelling and sharing experiences. Our team started interviewing cancer survivors with chronic pain and found that one of the main interests of patients and survivors was to share their stories and experiences with other patients and survivors. We used augmented reality technologies to help users share their stories at a basic level using common tokens, or explain them in detail at an advanced level.
After completing my Master, I worked as a network administrator and UX web designer at RE-Solutions Group LLC in state of Maryland. This position provided the opportunity for me to use what I had learned in academic environment in practical situations. Working with a professional team, I developed an appreciation for the Human Computer Interaction research, which I had already been familiar. I became particularly fascinated with the way researchers design interactive computing systems through the study of users and their context. In fact, what interested me the most was the way HCI combines the knowledge of computing with the study of human behavior. Studying HCI seemed an ideal way to combine two of my particular areas of interest: designing as a way of solving technical problems on one hand and studies of human behavior (specifically sociology and psychology) on the other. I am passionate about investigating the role of technology in solving important social issues and overcoming individuals’ problems.
The Present
My current position at UMBC have given me the opportunity to conduct the exact research that I have always wanted to do. Recognizing the important role of qualitative methods and possessing a profound understanding of human-centered privacy concerns, my research focuses on addressing the significant human factor vulnerability in security and privacy within emerging technologies. I have done interdisciplinary research at the intersection of security, privacy, and HCI aiming to enhance the safety of people’s interactions with technology. I investigate people’s need for having safe and comfortable interactions with technologies. The insights derived from my research inform how technology design and policies should be shaped in order to more effectively protect people from the rising risks of emerging digital technologies.
I will delves into emerging data-intensive consumer technologies, making substantive contributions in three primary domains. 1)People: learn knowledge about the security and privacy needs and concerns of individuals regarding emerging technologies including, social robots, smart home devices, augmented reality, and virtual reality. 2)Technology: design and evaluate technologies that empower security and privacy to influence people’s decision-making processes. 3) Policy: presenting actionable recommendations for diverse stakeholders to develop technologies and shape policies that protect individuals’ security and uphold their privacy.
Besides research, the mentorship I’ve received at UMBC has also been very impactful. Before joining UMBC, I had conducted several research projects, but I never had the opportunity to deeply contemplate the rationale behind methodologies or gain a deep understanding of various methods. However, through advanced qualitative and quantitative methods courses with Dr. Mentis and Dr. Pan, I had the chance to learn invaluable lessons about methods and apply them in my own research. This is something for which I am grateful that UMBC has provided me with.
Additionally, the courses I took in the first year of my Ph.D. program had a significant impact on shaping my knowledge. For example, the course HCC 760 and HCC 727 helped me overcome one of my weaknesses as a researcher. These courses not only deepened my understanding of the fundamental concept across different fields of HCI, but also taught me how to be more efficient in collecting papers for literature reviews and executing more organized literature reviews for my research, which was one of my challenges before taking the courses. Furthermore, the course HCC 729 aided in the development of my critical thinking skills. I learned how to apply theories behind HCI to the practical and real-world user experience design process.
The Future
I am enthusiastic about contributing as a government employee, with a particular interest in working at the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) and National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) , where I can focus on issues related to technology and policy-making. I believe a human-centered perspective is essential in addressing cybersecurity challenges. Later,I am open to the possibility of continuing my service in government or exploring other research positions, potentially pursuing a tenure-track position.
Strength and weakness
Reflecting on my strengths and weaknesses, I recall my experience with my first project as a PhD student, where I collaborated with two Principal Investigators (PIs). Handling this project was challenging as each PI held different expectations and opinions. While sometimes their views aligned, other times they diverged, leaving me in a quandary about which direction to pursue. Navigating through their feedback and opinions was particularly challenging. Unfortunately, the paper we submitted to CHI-late breaking work was rejected. Nonetheless, this experience proved invaluable, teaching me crucial lessons in project management. Firstly, I initiated regular and frequent communication with the PIs through Slack channels and scheduled meetings to discuss progress, address issues, and make decisions. Secondly, I made it a practice to update them at every milestone, seeking feedback before proceeding to the next step. Implementing these strategies helped us overcome the challenges we faced and eventually, our paper yielded positive results, being accepted as a full paper in ASSETS.