Liz Blankenship

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Liz Blankenship - Resume

Objective

To design and evaluate software interfaces in the fall of 2008 using user-centered design techniques, especially user research and usability analysis

Education

Master of Science in Information - May 2009

• University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan
• Specializations in Human Computer Interaction and Social Computing
• G.P.A. 3.92/4.0

Bachelor of Science - May 2007

• Iowa State University, Ames, Iowa
• Majors in Computer Science, Math; Minors in Psychology, Philosophy
• G.P.A. 3.81/4.0

Skills and Strengths

• User-centered design: personas, scenarios, interviews and usability testing, creating interactive prototypes using OmniGraffle Professional
• Programming: Java, C++
• Web design: HTML, CSS, PHP, SQL, JavaScript

Experience

Usability Specialist, DrProject

• Summer 2008
• Season of Usability
• • Worked with developers to identify and solve usability issues
  • Designed mockups and prototypes in OmniGraffle Professional
  • Conducted exploratory usability testing with existing and prototype interfaces
  • Suggested improvements in information architecture, accessibility

Cognitive Modeler, Clearsighted

• Fall 2006 – Summer 2008
• Ames, Iowa
• • Created cognitive models of Intelligent Tutoring Systems
  • Researched existing tutoring systems and related software
  • Analyzed usability of development tools and ITS
  • Practiced user-centered design with a team to create innovative tutoring technology

Index Automation Speed Team, IBM, Inc.

• Summer 2006
• Rochester, Minnesota
• • Worked with a team to design and build an intelligent agent to automate creation of database indexes on System i
  • Met with stakeholders to work out requirements
  • Prepared and presented status reports

WebSphere Migration FVT Coop, IBM, Inc.

• January - August 2005
• Rochester, Minnesota
• • Configured and ran test cases and analyzed results
  • Automated and updated functional verification test buckets
  • Prepared and presented education on various topics to team

Introduction to Computer Science Teaching Assistant

• Fall 2004
• Iowa State University, Computer Science Department
• • Taught lab and held office hours for Intro to Computers class
  • Proctored and graded tests and assignments

Research Experience for Undergraduates

• Summer 2003 and 2004
• Iowa State University, Mathematics Department
• • Researched evolutionary algorithms and software robots
  • Executed numerous trial runs of various conditions for the robots
  • Co-authored A Note on General Adaptation in Populations of Painting Robots with mentor Dr. Daniel Ashlock

Class Projects

Usability Analysis of Engage

• Spring 2008
• Objective: Evaluate usability of Engage, the University of Michigan’s website for connecting volunteers with medical clinical trials
• Methods used: Generalized transition network, interviews, personas and scenarios, heuristic analysis, comparative analysis, user testing, user survey
• Project website

CourseNav Interface Design

• Fall 2007
• Objective: Design an interface for Ross Business School students to assist them in course selection
• Methods used: Contextual inquiry, affinity diagramming, personas and scenarios, user testing, prototyping
• Project website

Honors and Activities

• Honor Societies: Phi Beta Kappa (LAS), Pi Mu Epsilon (Math), Upsilon Pi Epsilon (Com S)
• Scholarships: National Merit Scholar, Ann Arbor Women in Computing Scholarships 2007-2008
• Volunteering: Activities with children at nature center, public museum and Loess Hills Prairie Seminar; inventory at Goodwill; web work for Iowa Native Plant Society
• At U of M: SOCHI, Social Computing (officer), Inter-Cooperative Council Web Team
• At ISU: Philosophy Club, Math Club, Honors Student Board, Swing and Lindy Club, Italian Club, Vegetarian Club