Designing for Equity Means Showing Up

Inclusive research isn’t just about digital access—it’s about physical presence. As Senior Research Manager and UX Lab Manager, I transformed our in-house research lab during the pandemic into a flexible, mobile, and inclusive part of our national research practice.

The lab became a foundation for equitable research by reaching voices often excluded from remote studies: people with limited digital literacy, hourly workers, older adults, and frontline employees. These perspectives are especially vital in healthcare, where real-world insights can transform product design.

Leading the Evolution of a Research Platform

I oversaw every aspect of the lab’s evolution—managing the physical space, upgrading tools, and creating systems that enabled in-person research across the country.

• Modernized the Lab
  Maintained and upgraded equipment to support usability testing across physical products, mobile apps, and desktop platforms

• Mentored Researchers
  Trained teams in effective in-person methods including interviews, think-alouds, journey mapping, and eye tracking

• Enabled Nationwide Access
  Developed a system to bundle and ship lab equipment, allowing researchers to conduct studies beyond St. Louis

• Supported Recruitment and Logistics
  Partnered with Research Operations to recruit hard-to-reach participants and manage on-site research coordination

• Built Researcher Confidence
  Created a support system for study setup, logistics, and safety protocols to ensure high-quality, inclusive research experiences

More Than a Room—A Platform for Inclusion

The STL UX Lab was designed to be reconfigurable and ready for anything—from testing medical devices to running live interviews. But its true value was in how it supported people. It became a space where inclusive research could thrive, researchers could grow, and participants felt seen and heard.

Real people. Real research. Real impact.
That's what the lab made possible.