HCDE Graduate Ambassadors are current students who share their personal experiences in the program and offer an informal, student-to-student perspective.
Depending on where you are in your exploration of the HCDE program, you may want to consider meeting with a peer advisor first. Both peer advisors and graduate ambassadors are current students who can share their experiences and help you explore whether our program aligns with your academic and career goals. The key difference is that peer advisors are trained staff members with in-depth knowledge of the admissions process, including specific details about application requirements, materials, and deadlines. If you need detailed information about applying, we recommend meeting with a peer advisor. Graduate ambassadors offer an additional opportunity to connect with current students and hear about their personal experiences in the program.
Graduate Ambassadors
Haneen El-haj
Hi! I'm Haneen (she/her), a second-year MS student in HCDE! I am passionate about racial, social, & environmental justice. I applied to HCDE because I was drawn to how interdisciplinary the program is, and am enjoying being in an inclusive, welcoming community that is dedicated to learning and growth. I’m excited to share my experience in the program previously as a part-time and currently as a full-time student around coursework, directed research groups (DRGs), campus events and opportunities, and more! I would also love to talk about difficulties in graduate school, struggling with imposter syndrome, facing barriers in higher education, and how to navigate them. Feel free to reach out with any questions, needs, or areas of support you have (or to just talk)! I am more than happy to share what I can and point you in the direction where you can find more information :)
Jocelyn Le
Hi! I'm Jocelyn (she/they), a first-year MS student in the HCDE program with a BS in Computational Media from Georgia Tech. I'm super passionate about the intersections between technology, education, children, and QTBIPOC communities, as well as designing for a more accessible world. I also really love teaching and coding for the GameBoy Advance, so let me know if you'd ever like a crash course or want to game jam :)
Connect with me on LinkedIn or reach out to me at juyenle@uw.edu for any questions or if you just want to have a little coffee (or matcha) chat!
Danica Bosco Martins
Hi! I’m Danica (she/her), an international student from India and a first-year HCDE grad student. I come from a design background and focus on UX design that’s inclusive, accessible, and sensitive to cross-cultural perspectives. I chose HCDE because the faculty and community are extremely helpful and genuinely invested in student growth. Being in Seattle, the program is modern, industry-aligned, and keeps up with emerging trends. I feel really supported here and love how the community helps each other grow. I’m always happy to chat with prospective students about the program, grad school, or life in Seattle, feel free to reach out at danica01@uw.edu!
Chinyere Munonye
HI! My name is Chinyere Munonye (she/her), a Washington D.C. native! I am a first year Master's student in HCDE with a background in psychological and brain sciences, fine arts, and computer science. I chose to do the HCDE program at UW because of it's interdisciplinary approach to design, diverse course selection, dedicated and enthusiastic faculty, and the amazing resources that we have here to further my academic and career journey! The program’s emphasis on holistic learning strongly align with my goals as an aspiring UX and Product Designer! I am very interested in the research and intersection of design and accessibility! I aspire to give back to under resourced communities by designing platforms such as resourceful websites, growth strategies, and accessible products that spotlight organizations that are instrumental to my youth leadership and community development!
Trushaa Ramanan
Hi! I’m Trushaa (she/her), an M.S. student in Human Centered Design & Engineering. I completed my B.S. in Informatics here at UW, so I’ve been part of the Husky community for almost five years now! Before starting grad school, I was unsure if it was the right step so early in my career, but I’m really glad I chose the M.S. HCDE program.
My interests lie in UX and product design, especially in creating tools that support creativity and self-expression. Outside of class, I serve as Co-President of Women in UX (WiUX) and have enjoyed mentoring students and helping build community on campus.
If you have questions about transitioning straight from undergrad, design careers, or getting involved in the HCDE community, feel free to reach out at trushaar@uw.edu.
Arundhati Ramesh
Hi! I’m Arundhati Ramesh (she/her) and I’m a first-year Master’s student in Human Centered Design & Engineering.
After completing my undergraduate degree in Textile Design, I became curious about how design and technology can drive social impact. Through projects that built tech for communities, I was drawn to HCDE - fascinated by how digital experiences shape people’s lives and decided to grow into a UX researcher.
I’m especially interested in interaction design, people–planet approaches, and creating accessible, inclusive technologies and services.
I’d love to connect and chat about the HCDE experience, UX research, or creative ways design can make systems more equitable. Feel free to reach out anytime on LinkedIn!
Stuti Shah
Hello! I am Stuti (she/hers). I've lived between the US and India, and am perpetually confused about introducing myself as a native of a specific city :) I started off as an industrial designer in my undergrad back in India but pivoted to UX Design soon after the pandemic hit! because I enjoyed tinkering with storytelling and interaction design a lot more than being covered in sawdust. Bearing a year long professional experience as a UX Designer within gaming, B2C and SaaS domains - my current focus at MS HCDE is to orient myself with posthuman and feminist design theories and exploring ways in which they can be augmented within mainstream interaction design strategies.
I personally don't believe that there is a set definition for HCDE, because every individual has a unique way of expressing themselves and for me that is currently through smart assistive products, design research and visual design; but fundamentally world literature + cinema. I am excited to share what the MS HCDE program at UW has to offer, and how it can add value to your design journey! If you have any questions about life at HCDE, feel free to reach out : stutisha@uw.edu
Melanie Song
Hello! I’m Melanie (she/her), a master’s student in Human Centered Design & Engineering at UW. I am particularly interested in accessibility and inclusive design, especially how we can create digital and physical experiences that better support people with diverse sensory needs. I chose HCDE because of its strong emphasis on designing with empathy and its collaborative, interdisciplinary environment. The program has given me the space to explore everything from product design to research, surrounded by a community that truly supports each other’s growth. Outside of school, I love experimenting with new recipes, working on art projects, and spending time with my mini Goldendoodle. If you have any questions about HCDE, life in Seattle, or the student experience, feel free to reach out!
Silang Wang
I left China for Singapore at 14 to pursue English education as a complementary worldview and lifestyle, and then I left Singapore for the US at 25 to pursue Human-Computer Interaction (HCI) education as a transcendent life-long practice that bridges the flesh and the metal.
My name is Wang Silang (he/him), or William. I'm a first-year MS HCDE student, and my research spans XR, AI, and information retrieval. We are at a historical moment in modern times where we could redefine the future of our "Live, Work and Play" with emergent technologies like crypto, AI, and XR. However, successful integration of such technologies into our society require visionary design, robust engineering and empathetic social frameworks. The HCDE program at UW offers one of the most comprehensive HCI and human-centered design education in the world at the intersection of design, engineering and social sciences, which provides me with a perfect environment to pursue my transhumanist passions. If you are someone who also wants to redefine the future of "Live, Work and Play", reach out to me via email (swang233@uw.edu).
Gahui Yun
Hi! I’m Gahui (she/her), born and raised in South Korea, and I’m currently a second-year Master’s student in HCDE. My research interests lie in how technology can meaningfully support women’s everyday lives and well-being.
What I appreciate most about HCDE is its flexibility. It allows students to explore both academic and industry pathways while defining what kind of designer or researcher they want to become. Coming from a background in mental health and sustainability, I wanted to expand my research into real-world impact. HCDE provided the perfect environment to do that, helping me connect human-centered research with practical design and technological innovation.
Beyond the curriculum, the community here has been incredibly supportive. Faculty and peers continuously inspire me to think critically, collaborate openly, and grow with confidence.
Please feel free to reach out via email: gahuiyun@uw.edu.
Seirina Zhang
Hi, I’m Seirina (she/her), a master’s student in HCDE with a background in product design and UX strategy. Before grad school, I earned my bachelor’s in Business Administration and Information Systems here at UW, and I’ve since worked as a Product Designer and UX Director across startups and tech companies. My work focuses on creating digital systems that strengthen communities, simplify complexity, and make technology feel more human.
Before joining HCDE, I served as a Global Ambassador for the Foster School of Business, representing UW to international students and giving tours around Seattle. That experience taught me how to connect across cultures and make others feel at home — something I want to bring into my ambassador role here, too.
In HCDE, I’m especially interested in bridging design research with real-world community impact — designing tools that local businesses, organizations, and people actually love to use. I’d love to chat with prospective students about the program, creative research, or just what life’s like as an HCDE student in Seattle.