Get to know more about Vanessa

I’m a UX designer and researcher who loves turning messy problems into experiences that feel clear and meaningful. What excites me most is seeing people navigate a design and feel like it was made with them in mind.

My path here hasn’t been linear. I started in Library & Information Science, where I learned to organize complexity. Later, as a project and product manager, I spent my days shaping roadmaps, running sprints, and translating user needs into what to build next. Now at Carnegie Mellon’s METALS program, I’ve been hands-on with everything from designing educational games to building AI tools that spark critical thinking and language learning.

If there’s a thread through it all, it’s this: I care about designing systems that actually support how people learn, think, and grow — not just ones that look polished. Outside of work, you’ll probably find me chasing curiosity somewhere new: hiking a trail, diving into clear water, or hunting down the authentic culinary experiences (15 countries and counting!)