My interest in UX and product design started while I was pursuing a Bachelor of Science in Psychology at the University of Central Florida. I’ve always been curious about human behavior—what makes us think, feel, and act the way we do. I learned about UX design during my Intro to Human Factors course. It had never occurred to me that there was such a strong link between psychology and design. My interest in design deepened as I continued to explore the human factors space, realizing that design could be a powerful tool to address human needs in innovative ways.

Before transitioning to design, I worked as a research assistant in a mental health lab at my university, where I honed my skills in data analysis, empathized with participants, and identified areas for further investigation. I didn't know it at the time, but those experiences in the mental health lab laid the foundation perfectly for my eventual pivot into the world of design.