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Resume

morva 111.jpg

Hi,

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My name is Morva. I am a Ph.D. student at the Department of Computer Science at Virginia Tech (VT), pursuing my doctoral degree in HCI major. I am also working as graduate research and teaching assistant at VT. I love to turn insights into products.

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In addition to my life as a graduate student, I like hiking with my friends, cooking different styles of food, and watching movies. I am a social person and enjoy talking with others to share ideas and stories. 

Research Experience

2017-2019

Virginia Tech:

2021 - Present

SmarTrail and Thru‑Hikers 

Uncovering the socio‑technological world of hikers to develop a cyber‑based information system.

  •  Collected and analyzed data from social media platforms (e.g., Instagram and Reddit)

  • Coss-functionally worked with researchers in different areas (urban planning, computer science, recreation ecology) ‑

  • Designed interview questions

  • Methods: Social Medial Analysis, Interviews, Topic Modeling, Mixed method

2020 - Present

The Integration of Mindfulness and Wellness into Rural Exergames

Understanding user needs and investigating game features to design a mobile exergame to encourage users to be more active while engaging them more in nature.

  • Conducted diary studies and focus groups of+40 participants

  • Led a research team of two undergraduate students for the HCI capstone project.

  • Methods: Diary Studies, Focus Groups, Personas, Heuristic Evaluation, Mixed method, Wireframing

2020 - Present

Shared Experiences through Remote Play

Exploring social experiences afforded by app/game/technology‑mediated and understanding design considerations for remote recreation solutions.

  • Collaborated in a team focused on User‑Centered design process (user research, visioning, and concepts).

  • Designed and analyzed diary studies of +90 participants.

  • Conducted focus group sessions and Interviews.

  • Methods: Surveys, Diary Studies, Focus Groups, Qualitative/Quantitative Analysis

2020 - Present

Teaching Assistant

  • TA and Chief TA of ”Introduction to HCI” course for 4 semesters.

  • TA of ”Information Visualization” course for one semester.

University of Tehran:

Master Thesis

Studying the Effect of Audio Features on Players’ Visual Attention Map contributing toward a Conceptual Audio‑Visual GameAttention Model for Efficient Bitrate Allocation in Cloud Gaming (Using Eye Tracking system).

  • Methods: Experiment Design, Semi‑Structured Interviews, Qualitative/Quantitative Analysis

Education

2020 - Present

Virginia Tech(Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University)

Ph.D. in Computer Science and Applications

2016-2018

University of Tehran 

M.Sc. in Information Technology Engineering

2011-2016

University of Tehran

Skills
& Expertise

B.Sc. in Information Technology Engineering

Programming Languages

Python, C/C++, Java, SQL, R, HTML/CSS/JS

Research Methods & Design

Evaluation Methods

Tools

Libraries and Frameworks

Surveys, Interviews, Diary Studies, Focus Groups, Observation, Personas, Prototyping, Experimental Design

Heuristic Evaluation, Statistical Hypothesis Testing, Usability Testing, Social media Analysis, Data Visualization

Figma, LucidChart, Sketch, Miro, Balsamiq

D3.js, Pandas, PyTorch, Django, Ruby on Rails

Publications

IDC 2021

Designing Mobile Applications to Minimize Disorientation in Informal Learning Environments | Link

Best short paper honorable mention award

CSCW 2021

Parenting, Studying And Working At Home In A Foreign Country: How International Student MothersIn The US Use Screen Media For And With Their Young Children | Link

Full Paper

CHItaly 2021

Exergames and Nature | Link

Nature HCI Workshop

CHI Play 2021

A Study on Pokémon GO: Exploring the Potential of Location‑based Mobile Exergames in ConnectingPlayers with Nature | Link

Work-in-Progress Paper

CHI Play 2021

Toward a Design Theory of Game‑Mediated Social Experiences ‑ A Study of Among Us | Link

Work-in-Progress Paper

CHItaly 2021

Re (Connecting) through Shared Remote Outdoor Play | Link

Nature HCI Workshop

CHI 2020

Clash of times: Respectful technology space for integrating community stories in intangible exhibits | Link

Full Paper

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