Solid usability testing experience with computer software and hardware through full life cycle of consumer product development
Comprehensive expertise in all aspects of applied and theoretical research
Demonstrated mastery of a broad range of research methods, including observational, survey, and experimental/laboratory research
Exceptional research design, data analysis, writing, and oral presentation skills
Extensive console and PC gaming experience
Professional Experience
User Research Engineer, Microsoft Corporation, 2006 - present
Microsoft Game Studios User Research Team, Redmond, WA
Products: Halo 3, Shadowrun, Age of Empires III: The War Chiefs
Usability Contractor, Excell Data Corporation, 2004 - 2006
Microsoft, Xbox Platform Experience User Interface Team, Redmond, WA
Evaluated the usability of the Xbox 360 interface. Performed heuristic evaluations of product specs and Visio flows detailing anticipated design of the interface. Worked with PMs, prototypers, and developers to prepare and debug builds for usability tests. Designed research studies to assess usability of the product. Collected, analyzed, and interpreted usability data from potential product consumers. Wrote clear and persuasive reports to communicate usability issues and recommended fixes to team members. Presented usability findings to team members during meetings. Persuaded team to make changes to improve the user experience based on usability feedback. Wrote comparative reviews and literature reviews. Provided statistical consultation and analysis to the team as needed.
Performed 44 heuristic evaluations of various interface areas
Successfully conducted 8 studies on the Xbox 360 interface, with additional studies underway and planned
Identified approximately 50 high-severity usability issues, resulting in significant improvements to the interface
Usability Contractor, Volt Technical, 2003 - 2004
Microsoft, eHome Department, Redmond, WA
Evaluated the usability of the Media Center Edition of Windows XP (2005 release) and remote controls designed to operate Media Center. Designed research studies to assess usability of the product. Collected, analyzed, and interpreted usability data from potential product consumers. Filed bug reports on usability issues and tracked through resolution. Wrote clear and persuasive reports to communicate usability issues and recommended fixes to team members. Presented usability findings to team members during meetings. Persuaded team to make changes improving the user experience based on the data. Provided statistical consultation to the team as needed.
Successfully conducted 13 studies on Media Center, including 2 baseline studies
Identified 108 unique usability issues, resulting in 22 improvements to the 2005 release and 86 issues to be addressed for the 2006 release
Postdoctoral Researcher, Social Psychology, 2000 - 2003
University of Memphis, Department of Psychology, Memphis, TN
Designed studies investigating human-computer interaction, usability, and social psychology. Specific research topics included web and software design, animated conversational agents and personas, video games, eye tracking, and automated emotion detection. Extracted and analyzed data from large, complex databases. Interpreted statistical output. Presented findings at national and international conferences. Published findings in peer-reviewed journals. Supervised and collaborated with graduate research assistants.
Published 3 first-authored papers
Presented research at the international Intelligent Tutoring Systems 2002 conference
Presented research at the American Association for Artificial Intelligence 2002 Fall Symposium series
Mentored 10 undergraduate students in independent study projects
Completed ASL Model 501 Eye Tracker workshop series
Grants Manager, 2001 - 2002
University of Memphis, Institute for Intelligent Systems, Memphis, TN
Managed 40-member interdisciplinary research team. Supervised the progress of 30 students on multiple projects. Planned, prioritized, and monitored progress on milestones to ensure on-time project completion. Allocated personnel and resources to projects. Performed various administrative duties.
Organized and managed teams for on-time completion of large-scale, government-funded evaluations of an intelligent tutoring system software program
Managed analysis and interpretation of data from evaluation studies
Provided feedback resulting in significant improvements in usability and functionality of project management software developed for the lab
Enhanced efficiency of lab web site by restructuring the organization of the site with specific attention to human factors design principles
Implemented a program that significantly reduced scheduling difficulties among lab members
Teaching Assistant, 1996 - 1999
Northwestern University, Department of Psychology, Evanston, IL (1996-1999)
Prepared and delivered guest lectures. Performed various administrative and clerical duties. Tutored students on an individual basis.
Won competitive Dissertation Year Fellowship award (1999)
Published 1 first-authored and 2 co-authored papers
Education
Northwestern University - Evanston, IL
Ph.D. in Experimental Social Psychology - 2000
Dissertation Year Fellow - 1999 - 2000
University of Southern California - Los Angeles, CA
B.A. in Psychology (minor in Sociology) - 1994
Psychology Honors Program graduate
Magna Cum Laude graduate
Professional Society Memberships
Usability Professionals' Association
Association for Computing Machinery
ACM Special Interest Group: Computer-Human Interaction
International Game Developers Association
Selected Publications
Graesser, A. C., Moreno, K. N., Marineau, J., Adcock, A., Olney, A., & Person, N. (2003). AutoTutor improves deep learning of computer literacy: Is it the dialog or the talking head? In U. Hoppe, F. Verdejo, and J. Kay (Eds.), Proceedings of Artificial Intelligence in Education (pp. 47-.54). Amsterdam: IOS Press. Finalist, outstanding paper award.
Susarla, S., Adcock, A. B., Van Eck, R. N., Moreno, K. N., & Graesser, A. C. (2003). Development and evaluation of a lesson authoring tool for AutoTutor. In V. Aleven, U. Hoppe, J. Kay, R. Mizoguchi, H. Pain, F. Verdejo, and K. Yacef (Eds.), AIED2003 Supplemental Proceedings (pp. 378-387). Sydney, Australia: University of Sydney School of Information Technologies.
Moreno, K. N., Person, N. K., Adcock, A. B., Van Eck, R. N., Jackson, G. T., & Marineau, J. C. (2002). Etiquette and efficacy in animated pedagogical agents: The role of stereotypes. In Proceedings of the 2002 AAAI Fall Symposium on Etiquette for Human Computer Work. AAAI Press.
Moreno, K. N., Klettke, B., Nibbaragandla, K., & Graesser, A. C. (2002). Perceived characteristics and pedagogical efficacy of animated conversational agents. In S. A. Cerri, G. Gouardères, and F. Paraguaçu (Eds.), Proceedings of the Intelligent Tutoring Systems 2002 Conference (pp. 963-971). Berlin: Springer-Verlag.
Moreno, K. N., & Bodenhausen, G. V. (2001). Intergroup affect and social judgment: Feelings as inadmissible information. Group Processes and Intergroup Relations, 4, 21-29.
Moreno, K. N., & Bodenhausen, G. V. (1999). Resisting stereotype change: The role of motivation and attentional capacity in defending social beliefs. Group Processes and Intergroup Relations, 2, 5-16.
usability research user research user experience game usability gameplay gamer gaming software testing quality assurance games user interface UI graphical user interface GUI web page design software design GUI design interface design user advocate web design usability engineer usability contractor usability specialist entertainment video games hardware testing hardware usability software usability