LIZA PESENSON
ABOUT
I am a tireless user advocate with an entrepreneurial spirit who thrives on collaboration. While pursuing my Master’s Degree in Cognitive Science at the University of Trento, Italy, I built unique interpersonal and cultural-navigation skills which allow me insights into customers’ behaviors and needs. My genuine empathy for users, inherent curiosity about different types of interactions, and solid foundation in User Experience Research enable me to effectively design services and products that people love to use.
EXPERIENCE
User Researcher
Microsoft, San Francisco, CA
Sep 2014 - Present
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Streamline quantitative data collection and analysis methods
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Develop and localize interaction sequences in 14 countries
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Derive and synthesize findings from ethnographic research
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Design a system for maximizing personalization
UX Research and Design Consultant
Trizic.com, San Francisco, CA
Jun 2014 - Sep 2014
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Create and facilitate qualitative and quantitative research
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Develop wireframes and interaction specifications
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Establish a comprehensive information architecture
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Ensure a user-centered web and mobile experience
User Experience Research Assistant
SmartCampusLab, Università degli Studi di Trento, Italy
Oct 2012 - Sep 2013
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Facilitated focus groups, concepting, and brainstorming
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Conducted an ethnographic observation study with children
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Adapted a model of the tourist mobile experience to kids
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Conducted participatory design with children
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Derived design requirements and gamification suggestions
User Research Intern
SmartCampusLab, Università degli Studi di Trento, Italy
Sep 2012 - Mar 2013
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Conducted semi-structured interviews on mobile privacy
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Qualitatively analyzed data on privacy and risk awareness
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Mocked-up three app schemes to present to users
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Ran focus groups to decide which scheme to develop
SKILLS
NVIVO
Photoshop
Balsamiq
Axure
OmniGraffle
Illustrator
MS Office Suite
iWork Suite
METHODS
Ethnography
Design with Children
Participatory Design
User Research
Personas
Concept Validation
Qualitative Analysis
Usability Testing
Interviewing
Focus Groups
Storyboards
Surveys
Mock-ups
Prototyping
Competitor Analysis
Scenarios
Mental Models
Heuristic Evaluation
LANGUAGES
English (Fluent)
Italian (Fluent)
Russian (Good)
2010 - present
2010 - present
Country Research Specialist II
RiminiStreet.com, Pleasanton, CA
2009 - 2012
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Researched tax legislation in eleven European countries
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Communicated findings to system developers
Coach, Captain, and Player - Ultimate Frisbee
UC Berkeley and Trent, Italy
2004 - Present
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Coached a 37-person, co-ed team in Trento, Italy
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Competed in USA Women’s College Nationals
EDUCATION
M.Sc. Cognitive Science (Language and Multi-Modal Interaction)
Università degli Studi di Trento, Trent, Italy
2011 - 2013
Specialized in Language and Multi-Modal Interaction. My thesis research focused on participatory design of a tourism mobile application with children. Final Score: 110/110
B.A. Cognitive Science
University of California, Berkeley, U.S.A.
2004 - 2009
Relevant Coursework
InnovAction Lab Startup Seminar Series
InnovAction Camp - Startup Bootcamp
Research Design
Designing Graphical User Interfaces