I am a Ph.D. candidate in the Department of Cognitive Science at UC San Diego. I am affiliated with the Contextual Robotics Institute in the Computer Science and Engineering Department. I receive training in developmental psychology in the Mind and Development lab. I hold a master's degree in Human-Computer Interaction and a bachelor's degree in Digital Art, specializing in Animation.
I study how humans perceive and interact with social robots and emerging technologies. My research focuses on the perceived realness of technological interfaces and artificial agents—the extent to which they appear authentic, credible, or lifelike to users. I examine how this perception shapes social judgments, trust, interaction, and acceptance and how it facilitates or hinders learning.
My research is funded by the UCSD Sanford Institute for Empathy and Compassion, the UCSD Senate Research Grant Program, and the UCSD Yankelovich Research Center.