Job Title: Assistant Professor, Computer Science
Pronouns: He/Him/His
Hometown: St. Louis, Missouri
Tell me about your research interests and why you are passionate about this topic.
I research human-computer interaction. I like to describe it as the science of making better user interfaces for people. Compared to other areas of computer science, I work a lot more closely with users — much of my research is talking with people and trying to understand them better. I love learning new things about people and the feeling of being closer to the people I’m trying to help.
What do you want others to know about your research? Why is your topic important?
My primary research interest is in improving user control over social media. Major platforms tune their algorithms to increase revenue and user retention/reengagement at the cost of addiction, quality content and filter bubbles. Giving users more power over what they see online and helping them use that power responsibly could help alleviate these issues. But the design challenges for doing so are numerous. I could see myself doing this for years to come.
What is your favorite part of your job?
(A) Discovering new things and (B) Sharing those new things I learned with the students!
What is your favorite place in San Luis Obispo County and why?
Is it dumb to say my apartment? As people say, there’s no place like home.
How do you like to spend your free time?
What free time?
OK, in all seriousness, I practice piano (I specialize in classical music), rock climb and play video games. I’m currently playing Stardew Valley.
What is the most helpful advice you’ve received?
If you’re stuck on something, talk to somebody. It doesn’t have to be an expert; it can be anybody. — your friends, family, even a rubber duck. The process of explaining your problem and articulating it can ignite inspiration and grease the gears of problem solving.
If you were stranded on a deserted island, which band or musician would keep you entertained?
Vladimir Horowitz. Probably only people really into classical music know him. He is one of the most skilled pianists of the 20th century.
What is something you can’t live without?
My wife, for all the reasons you would expect.
How does engineering apply to your daily life?
Engineering is about solving problems, but it’s also about analyzing what the right problem is, communicating solutions and expressing the limitations to others. I cannot overstress how useful communication skills have been in my daily life — from organizing events with my friends posting comments online to just making interesting conversation with people in daily life.
How do you encourage engineering students to make an impact on the community?
In terms of user interface design, I encourage students to get out of the Cal Poly bubble. For their homework, for instance, I ask them to interview people who are not Cal Poly students and to seek out people different from themselves. Speaking to people who are different from you is a good way to learn!
How do you support the college’s commitment to justice, equity, diversity and inclusion?
These virtues are surprisingly (or maybe not so surprisingly) relevant in design. When we design an app — a piece of software — we are designing for people, and we must be sure that the designs are usable for all and send the right message to all. I make sure I cover this in my classes. For instance, I discuss designing for the visually impaired and colorblind, for different cultural contexts, and how a design’s ambiance can unconsciously make certain groups feel unwelcome.
By Taylor Villanueva
