Prerana Khatiwada

Prerana Khatiwada

Computer Science Ph.D. Student

About me

Graduate Research and Teaching Assisstant,
University of Delaware, Newark, Delaware

I am a second-year Ph.D. student CIS department and an HCI researcher at the University of Delaware, conducting research under Prof.Matthew Maureillo at Sensify Lab on the Community Comms Project. In our project, “Community Comms”, we are developing a Chrome browser plugin capable of logging a user’s browsing data, storing media annotations, and displaying information about news media bias using existing datasets. Expected contributions from this project include an examination of user perceptions of current challenges and benefits of existing online news media dissemination systems and design guidelines for implementing privacy-preserving, and transparent browsing experience interventions.

I am very much passionate doing HCI research using multiple methodologies with my critical thinking, problem-solving, and software engineering skillsets that can improve users’ experiences. I want to utilize my User Experience Research expertise and specialty in Machine Learning & Natural language Processing and Data Analytics to bridge the gap between users’ needs and technology.

Research Interests or Area: Human Computer Interaction(HCI), Misinformation, Interventions and Natural Language Processing.

Education

PhD, Computer and Information Sciences

2021-Present

University of Delaware,
Newark, Delaware

Masters of Science, Computer and Information Sciences

2021-2024

University of Delaware,
Newark, Delaware

GPA: 3.9 / 4.0

Coursework: Machine Learning, Artifical Intelligence, Operating System, Theory of Computation, DataMining, HCI, Statistics, Research in Cybersecurity, Research in Accessible Computing

BE, Computer Engineering

2015-2019

Kathmandu University,
Dhulikhel, Nepal

CGPA: 3.78 / 4.0

Coursework: Machine Learning, Artificial Intelligence, Natural Language Processing, Data Structure and Algorithms, Database Management Systems, Operating Systems, Advanced Calculus and Linear Algebra, C, C++, Computer Architecture, Software Engineering, Digital Signal Processing, Embedded Systems

Work Experience

Graduate Research and Teaching Assisstant

Aug 31, 2021 - Present

University of Delaware,
Newark, Delaware

As a Teaching Assistant, I am Helping students with the Courses.

  • One of the members of the Community Comms Project, where we are developing Crowdsourcing and intervention tool/prototype(Chrome Plugin) capable of logging a user’s browsing data, storing media annotations, and displaying information about news media bias using existing datasets.
  • Integrate Firebase Authentication and Firebase Security Rules, Work on developing personalized visualizations and informatics dashboards using D3.js.
  • I have a solid background in qualitative, quantitative, and mixed method UX research methods, Knowledge of wireframe tools e.g. Figma.
  • Preparing low-fidelity prototypes of UI (ranging from paper-and-pencil concepts to wireframes or prototypes) to high-fidelity designs/ mockups of UI, and high-fidelity visuals for the features.
  • Participating in User Experience Design activities such as Usability Testing, Semi Structured Interviews with respect to online experiences with misinformation, Surveys, observation.
  • Conducting usability evaluations and providing recommendations on how to improve our designs, Helping to extend and maintain our design system.

Software Engineer

May 05 , 2019 - July 26, 2021

LIS Nepal Pvt.Ltd
Lalitpur, Nepal

  • Designed, build, and maintain highly reusable JavaScript, HTML, CSS, and Kendo UI code for Stock Exchange of Nepal, NEPSE.
  • Re-Designed Online Trade Management System to replace the custom grid with Angular Data Grid.
  • Designing UI elements such as input controls, search boxes, navigational components, and widgets on the system.
  • Designing interactive dashboards, highly formatted reports, ad-hoc queries for Projects and Clients like Siam Makro(Thailand), HotTopic, and Belk (United States), and unit testing using Looker, OBIEE/BIP.
  • Conduct usability testing, Identifying and troubleshooting UX problems (e.g. responsiveness, drag and drop, autocomplete feature).
  • Extensively worked in frontend using Bubble.io, ReactJs, Typescript, and Redux framework along with production bug fixes and regression testing.
  • Worked on Real-time production issue fixes for clients, Support Monitoring on Hubspot, and UI development.
  • Implementation of Datwarehouse projects mostly for US and Asia Pacific retail customers.
  • ETL, Analytical Reporting, Oracle Query Optimization, Unit Testing, and Extensive validation across source and Target Systems.
  • Batch Monitoring with Autosys, Data Analysis & Validation, and custom scripting.
  • Attending all aspects of the Agile project management (Sprint Planning, Standups, Sprint demo, and retrospective).

Content Designer

April 10, 2019 - October 31, 2019

Digital Products Lab,
Kathmandu, nepal

  • Retail/E-commerce research experience.
  • Work collaboratively with UX team members, Development teams, Product Owners, and Users as part of developing a Shopify app that makes an impact.
  • Review existing research or analyze existing products, applying the findings to a specific problem and/or process.
  • Reaching out to customers for feedback.