Translating complexity into humane systems.
UX Researcher focused on cognitive load, neurodivergence, and AI-supported workflows.
A hidden layer of work
Most digital systems require humans to translate their thinking into structured formats.
Human cognition is nonlinear, contextual, and often ambiguous. Systems demand clarity, sequence, and precision.
This mismatch creates an invisible layer of cognitive labor.
My work focuses on designing that layer—reducing friction between human intent and system requirements.
Scaffold
AI-powered task initiation support for cognitive overload.
A system designed to help users move from intention to action by reducing cognitive load, clarifying first steps, and supporting regulation.
Writing & Research in Progress
Selected essays exploring cognitive load, institutional systems, and the design of humane technology. These pieces are part of an ongoing body of research.
Full manuscripts are available upon request or currently in development for publication.
The Invisible Tax: Cognitive Labor in Enterprise Software
Examines the hidden cognitive labor required to translate human intent into system-compatible formats.
Human thought is unstructured, while systems require structured input
This mismatch creates an invisible "translation tax"
Cognitive labor is unevenly distributed and often unrecognized
"Employees are not simply completing tasks—they are continuously translating their thinking into formats systems can accept."
Designing AI for Neurodivergent Workflows
Explores how AI systems can support cognitive variability, particularly for users navigating executive dysfunction or attention differences.
Most AI tools assume consistent executive function
Cognitive variability is treated as edge case rather than baseline
AI can function as a scaffolding layer rather than a productivity enforcer
"Designing for neurodivergence requires shifting from optimization to support—from efficiency to adaptability."
Cognitive Bandwidth & System Adoption
Investigates why tools designed to improve efficiency often fail under real-world conditions of stress and overload.
Adoption depends on available cognitive bandwidth, not just utility
Overwhelm reduces access to tools that could help
System design often ignores real conditions of use
"The more overwhelmed a user becomes, the less able they are to engage with systems designed to support them."
Systemic Friction as a Feature, Not a Bug
Reframes friction in digital systems as a signal of deeper structural misalignment rather than surface-level usability issues.
Friction reveals mismatches between system logic and human behavior
Removing friction without understanding cause can increase cognitive load
Some friction is structural, not interface-level
"What is often labeled as user error is more accurately a signal of system misalignment."
