Hi there, 

I AM FERESHTEH

Ph.D Candidate in Informatics (HCI)

Ph.D Minor in Media Arts and Science

Indiana University, Bloomington. US

ABOUT ME

I’m a fourth-year PhD candidate in Informatics (Human-Computer Interaction Design track) at Indiana University Bloomington, advised by Dr. Shih, and affiliated with the ProHealth lab. My research lies at the intersection of Human-Computer Interaction (HCI), Artificial Intelligence (AI) in gamified activities, and mental health, with a focus on art therapy. Specifically, for my dissertation, I explore how AI can support and digitalize art therapy to better assist individuals on their health journeys. 

My research methods are primarily qualitative, encompassing empirical studies, the design of technological probes, and evaluative research. I also incorporate quantitative methods and co-design workshops with participants to ensure my work is deeply user-centered. 

Beyond academia, I have interned as a Project Manager and UX Researcher at Center for Health Innovation and Implementation Science for three summers, where I conducted usability studies and played a key role in developing a unique, web-based, user-centric software platform tailored for agile science conductors. 

I am currently on the job market and actively seeking opportunities. If you are recruiting or know of any relevant roles, I’d love to connect 🙂 

MILESTONES

2024

Dec: Extended abstract of our study on the development of the clinical recruitment dashboard got accepted for poster presentation at 17th Annual Conference on the Science of Dissemination and Implementation (Arlington, VA) (Funded by Indiana School of Medicine, Center for Health Innovation and Implementation Science).

Dec: Completed mentoring HCI undergraduate and graduate students in a one-semester product management course at Indiana University.

Nov: First-author Design Study with Usability Evaluation Paper accepted into JMIR Formative Research Journal (Funded by Grant #R25AG078136 by NIA).

Nov: Co-authored Case Study Paper accepted into Trials Journal.

Nov: Co-authored Case Study Paper accepted into ACM CSCW 2024 Conference (Costa Rica).

Oct: Co-authored Empirical Research Paper accepted into Frontiers in Health Services Journal.

Sep: First-author Quantitative Research Report accepted into Art Therapy Journal.

Sep: Attended Nudges in Health Care Symposium (Philadelphia, PA) (Funded by Indiana University School of Medicine).

June-Aug: Project Manager Intern at Regenstrief Institute.

May: Completed mentoring 25 HCI graduate students in their second-semester capstone project at Indiana University.

May: First-author Conceptual Framework Proposal Paper Published in Advances in Emerging Information and Communication Technology Book (Funded by IU PhD Student Funding Allowance).

2023

Dec: Passed Qualification Exams (PhD Candidate).

Dec: Mentored HCI graduate students in their first-semester capstone project at Indiana University.

Oct: Presenting our study’s poster on exploring the impact of digital art therapy on people with dementia at AATA 54th Annual Conference (San Diego, CA) (Funded by IU PhD Student Funding Allowance).

Sep: Accepted to present our study at CANWEST International Research Conference on Innovation of Emerging Information and Communication Technology (Madrid, Spain) (Funded by IU PhD Student Funding Allowance).

Sep: Accepted to present our study at HCist International Conference (Madeira, Portugal) (Funded by IU PhD Student Funding Allowance).

Sep: Invited to present our design study at Innovation Forum by Indiana University School of Medicine (Indianapolis, IN).

June: Presenting our study’s poster on the design of Children’s VR/AR Museum at QUEST at SUNY Oswego (NY).

June-Aug: PhD Research Intern at Center for Health Innovation and Implementation Science (Funded by Grant #R25AG078136 by NIA).

May: Completed mentoring 25 HCI graduate students in their capstone project at Indiana University.

2022

Dec: Completed mentoring 24 HCI undergraduate students in their Introduction to Human-Computer Interaction course at Indiana University.

Nov: Attended AATA 53rd Annual Conference (Minneapolis, MN) (Funded by Indiana University Bloomington).

Sep: Attended Living Well with Dementia Conference (Indianapolis, IN) (Funded by Indiana University School of Medicine).

June: Attended ADS (American Delirium Society) Conference (Indianapolis, IN) (Funded by Indiana University School of Medicine).

June: Presented two abstracts of our studies at WAIM Conference (Washington DC) (Funded by NSF).

June-Aug: UX Researcher/Designer Intern at Regenstrief Institute.

2021

Dec: Completed mentoring 15 HCI undergraduate students in their Introduction to Human-Computer Interaction course at Indiana University.

Sep-Dec: Conducted 4 online co-design workshops with dementia caregivers, serving as the UX researcher and analyzing data post-sessions.

May-Aug: Hired as a Research Assistant at Indiana University for the NSF Future of Work Research Grant on the Matrix of Dementia Care.

May: Completed the first semester of my PhD in Informatics at Indiana University.

May: Completed mentoring 31 HCI undergraduate students in their Introduction to Human-Computer Interaction course at Indiana University.

FIND ME HERE