The HCDE Graduate Student Association (GSA) is a registered student organization founded and operated by HCDE graduate students. The GSA's mission is to support learning, socializing, volunteering, and career-path opportunities for HCDE graduate students, and engage with the student body.
2025-2026 HCDE GSA Officers
President
Inhauck Choi (he/him)
First-year master's student
inhauck@uw.edu | LinkedIn
GSA responsibilities »
- Point person for communication for students, faculty, and department administrators
- Oversees and facilitates meetings
- Sets vision and priorities for the GSA
- Liaison to the HCDESA (Undergraduate Student Association)
Free Time & Passions »
- Chasing waterfalls!
- Health advocacy
- Community building
- Thriller and horror movies
Chat with me about »
- Philosophy and interesting research
- Brain Computer Interfaces
- Basketball
Vice President
Sarika Oberoi (she/her)
First-year master's student
s082501@uw.edu | LinkedIn
GSA responsibilities »
- Assists and coordinates volunteer, recruitment, and social events
- Responsible for communicating with the department and discussing any concerns or ideas from community members
- Takes proactive steps to increase and develop HCDE representation and awareness on and off campus
- Maintains relationship with RSO
Free Time & Passions »
- Enjoying the cuddles and love of dogs
- Going on Nature Walks
- Cooking for friends
- Watching new movies or shows
Chat with me about »
- Anything! I love chatting!
- My dog dillu!
- Navigating through College Life
- Wanting to Build Social Connections
- Navigating the unfamiliar when switching fields
- Exploring Seattle and other places in US!
Community Relations Officer
Hsiang-Yi Lung (she/her)
Incoming first-year master's student
hylung@uw.edu | LinkedIn
GSA responsibilities »
- The main point of contact with people outside of GSA and HCDE, and maintain relationships that GSA has already built
- Build new relationships with professionals in the UX field
- Coordinate marketing efforts for GSA events, including maintaining email lists, social media accounts, and print advertising
Free Time & Passions »
- Travel - flew out nearly twice a month for the past 2 years
- Trying to stay active - running, training, hiking
- Going to all kinds of live music concerts
- Playing bass guitar & pokemon
Chat with me about »
- International travel
- Architecture & music
- Startups
- Life in east Asia
MS Curriculum Representative
Asim Sayed (he/him)
First-year Master's student
asimx@uw.edu | LinkedIn
GSA responsibilities »
Representing HCDE Master's students on the HCDE MS Curriculum Committee.
Free Time & Passions »
- Sketching
- Reading
- Cooking
- Visiting cafes, parks, and hiking
Chat with me about »
- Tech and Design
- Startups
- Society, Culture, God
International Community Advisor
Aashika Ashok (she/her)
First-year master's student
aashxka@uw.edu | LinkedIn
GSA responsibilities »
- Representing and advocating for the international student body for GSA
- Talking to people from different cultures and see how GSA can better serve our international students
- Getting more international students involved in GSA and help them get connected to the broader UX community in Seattle
Free Time & Passions »
- Lifting, hiking, racquet sports
- Watching and logging films on Letterboxd
- Creating new recipes
Chat with me about »
- Finding events around Seattle
- Cinema
- Sports - Squash, F1, Brazilian Jiu Jitsu
- Tech + autonomous vehicles + design
International Community Advisor
Anita Nwude-Chenge (she/her)
First-year master's student
nitac@uw.edu | LinkedIn
GSA responsibilities »
- Representing and advocating for the international student body for GSA
- Talking to people from different cultures and see how GSA can better serve our international students
- Getting more international students involved in GSA and help them get connected to the broader UX community in Seattle
Free Time & Passions »
- Going to the gym
- Word Puzzles, Chess, Sudoku
- Solo travelling
- Watching NBA games
Chat with me about »
- Basketball
- International travel
- Crime shows
Affinity Group Lead
Avleen Kaur (she/her)
Second-year master's student
avleenk@uw.edu | LinkedIn
Free Time & Passions »
- Running, walking, and hiking
- Reading fiction books
- Trying random classes–dance, pottery, painting, etc.
- Cuddling with my cats–Biscuit & Nova
Chat with me about »
- Pivoting careers (I’m transitioning to UX from software engineering)
- Cafes and food
- Anything you’d like!
Social Media Manager
Amy La (she/her)
First-year master's student
amyla228@uw.edu | LinkedIn
Free Time & Passions »
- Eating good food
- Taking aesthetic pictures
- NYT Games (Wordle + Connections)
Chat with me about »
- Design
- SF/LA/Seattle pros and cons or cafe/restaurant recs
- Anything :)
Graphics Lead
Nirmal Kuttappa Nayada (she/her)
First-year Master's student
nkn6@uw.edu | LinkedIn
Free Time & Passions »
- Going on hikes and treks
- Exploring different cuisines
- Baking brownies and cookies
- Visiting parks in Seattle
Chat with me about »
- Technology and design
- Exploring Seattle
- Any topics are welcome :)
Historian
Maham Khawar (she/her)
First-year master's student
mkhawar@uw.edu | LinkedIn
Free Time & Passions »
- Photography (Polaroids, Film, and Digital)
- Baking (Cake, Brownies, Cinnamon Rolls, etc!
- Gaming (specifically Mario games)
- Thrifting
Chat with me about »
- UX Research
- Pop Culture/Reality TV
- Running
Treasurer
Yechan Choi (he/him)
Second-year Master's student
ychoi46@uw.edu | LinkedIn
Free Time & Passions »
- Playing piano
- Cooking!
- Long bike rides around Greenlake
- Reading & writing
Chat with me about »
- XR + accessibility research
- Soccer
- Cafe/coffee bean recs around Seattle