CV
Updated December 2011
Research Interests
Social media, Human-computer interaction (HCI), Information visualization.
Education
Faculty of Computer & Information Science, Cornell University
PhD Student (August 2009 - present)
- Program: Information Science
- Concentration: Human-computer Interaction
- Doctoral Minor: Communication
- Advisor: Daniel Cosley
- Committee: Jeffrey Hancock, Lee Humphreys
School of Engineering & Applied Science, University of Pennsylvania
Bachelor of Applied Science (September 2005 - May 2009)
- Major: Computer and Cognitive Science
- Advisor: Mitchell Marcus
School of Arts & Sciences, University of Pennsylvania
Bachelor of Arts (September 2005 - May 2009)
- Major: Psychology
- Minor: Fine Arts
Publications
Journal Articles
J.1
Cosley, D., Sosik, V., Schultz, J., Peesapati, S.T., Lee, S. (Forthcoming). Experiences with designing tools for everyday reminiscing. Human-Computer Interaction: Special Issue of Designing for Personal Memories.
Conference Papers
C.5
Sosik, V., Zhao, X., Cosley, D. (2012). See Friendship, sort of: How conversation and digital traces might support reflection on friendships. To appear in Proceedings of the ACM Conference on Computer Supported Cooperative Work (CSCW '12). Seattle, WA. February 11-15, 2012.
C.4
Schwanda, V., Ibara, S., Reynolds, L., Cosley, D. (2011). Side effects and 'gateway' tools: advocating a broader look at evaluating persuasive systems. In Proceedings of the ACM Conference on Human Factors in Computing Systems (CHI '11). Vancouver, Canada. May 7-12, 2011. [pdf]
C.3
Purpura, S., Schwanda, V., Williams, K., Stubler, W., Sengers, P. (2011). Fit4Life: The Design of a Persuasive Technology Promoting Healthy Behavior and Ideal Weight. In Proceedings of the ACM Conference on Human Factors in Computing Systems (CHI '11). Vancouver, Canada. May 7-12, 2011. [pdf] *Best Paper Award Nomination*
C.2
Peesapati, S. T., Schwanda, V., Schultz, J., and Cosley. D. (2010). Triggering memories with online maps. In Proceedings of the American Society for Information Science and Technology Annual Meeting (ASIS&T '10). Pittsburgh, PA. October 22-27, 2010. [pdf]
C.1
Posters
P.2
Reynolds, L., Ibara, S., Schwanda, V., Cosley, D. (2011). "Does It Know I'm Not Maintaining Good Posture?": An In-Home Play Study of Wii Fit. Extended Abstracts of the ACM Conference on Human Factors in Computing Systems (CHI '11). Vancouver, Canada. May 7-12, 2011. [pdf]
P.1
Schwanda, V., Barron, K., Lien, J., Schroeder, G., Vernon, A., Hancock, J. (2011). Temporal Patterns of Cohesiveness in Virtual Groups. In Proceedings of the ACM Conference on Computer Supported Cooperative Work (CSCW '11). Hangzhou, China. March 19-23, 2011. [pdf]
Workshop Papers
w.1
Cosley, D., Schwanda, V., Peesapati, S. T., Schultz, J., Baxter, J. (2009). Experiences with a publicly deployed tool for reminiscing. Reminiscence Systems Workshop 2009, Cambridge, UK. [pdf]
Presentations
Workshops and Panels Organized
W.2
Cosley, D., Mulvenna, M., Schwanda, V., Peesapati, S.T., Wright, T. (May 2011). Bridging Practices, Theories, and Technologies to Support Reminiscence. Extended Abstracts of the ACM Conference on Human Factors in Computing Systems (CHI '11). Vancouver, Canada. May 7-12, 2011. [pdf]
W.1
Rosenzweig, A., Schwanda, V., Rosenzweig, J. (September 2010). Barbie Has a Pink Laptop: Redefining How the World Views a Computer Scientist. Grace Hopper Celebration of Women in Computing. Atlanta, GA. September 28-October 2, 2010. [proposal] [slides] [session notes]
Teaching Experience
- Teaching Assistant, CURIE Academy for high school girls who excel in math and science, Cornell University, Instructor: Hadas Kress-Gazit (Summer 2010)
- Teaching Assistant, Advanced HCI Design, Cornell University, Instructor: Daniel Cosley (Spring 2010)
- Teaching Assistant Programming Languages & Techniques I, University of Pennsylvania, Instructor: Mitchell Marcus (Spring 2009)
- Mentor Introduction to Computer Science, University of Pennsylvania, Instructor: Jean Griffin (Fall 2008)
- Figure Skating Professional, Group and Individual Lessons, United States Figure Skating (January 2005 - present)
Honors and Awards
- NSF Summer Social Webshop on Technology-Mediated Social Participation, University of Maryland (August 23-26, 2011)
- Summer School in Making Sense of Social Media, Swabian Alb, Germany (August 1-4, 2011)
- ACM CHI Best Paper Award Nomination (2011)
- Grace Hopper Celebration of Women in Computing Scholarship, Atlanta, GA (September 28-October 2, 2010)
- National Science Foundation Graduate Research Fellowship (2010)
- CRA-W Grad Cohort Workshop, Bellevue, WA (April 23-24, 2010)
- Cornell University Graduate School Fellowship (2009)
- University of Pennsylvania Moore School Council Cwikla Award (2009)
- Girl Scouts of America Gold Award (2005)
- United States Figure Skating Scholastic Honors Team (2005)
- New Jersey Council of Figure Skating Clubs Academic Honors Team (2004, 2005)
Professional Service
Conference Organizing Committee
- CSCW 2012 Webmaster and Graphic Design Co-Chair
Academic Service
- President, Cornell Information Science PhD Student Organization (Oct. 2010 - present)
- Coordinator, Cornell Information Science Breakfast Series (Aug. 2010 - present)
- Student Representative, Cornell Information Science PhD Admissions Committee (Dec. 2010 - Mar. 2011)
- Ithaca Area Chair, University of Pennsylvania Secondary School Committee (Jan. 2010 - present)
- Interviewer, University of Pennsylvania Secondary School Committee (Sept. 2010 - present)
- Orientation Peer Advisor, University of Pennsylvania School of Engineering & Applied Science Aug. 2008 - May 2009
- Senior Advisor, University of Pennsylvania Women in Computer Science (Jan. 2009 - May 2009)
- Treasurer, University of Pennsylvania Women in Computer Science (Jan. 2008 - Dec. 2008)
- Member, University of Pennsylvania Women in Computer Science (Sept. 2005 - May 2009)
- Advisory Board Member, University of Pennsylvania Advancing Women in Engineering, Nov. 2007 - May 2009
- Educational Outreach Committee, University of Pennsylvania Society of Women Engineers Sept. 2006 - May 2007
Conference Reviewing
Conference Student Volunteering
Work Experience
Faculty of Computer & Information Science, Cornell University
Graduate Research Assistant (August 2009 - present)
- Ongoing research with Dr. Daniel Cosley
Computer & Information Science Deptartment, University of Pennsylvania
Research Assistant (January 2008 - August 2009)
- Worked with Dr. Mitchell Marcus on the SUBTLE project funded by the ARO MURI program
- Studied how robots and humans can communicate using natural language to complete complex search and rescue tasks
Psychology Deptartment, University of Pennsylvania
Student Researcher (January 2008 - May 2009)
- Worked with Dr. John Trueswell and Dr. Ann Bunger
- Used empirical methods to study the interaction between animacy and role cues in children's categorization of event participants
- Developed an online system to conduct positive psychology experiments and studied its usability using the cognitive walkthrough technique
Freelance Web Designer and Developer (September 2007 - present)
- Design, code and maintain dynamic, functional and aesthetically pleasing websites using HTML, CSS, Flash, JavaScript and PHP/MySQL
- Clientele include established corporations, start-up companies, and individuals, and span a broad range of businesses and industries
University of Pennsylvania Legal Studies & Business Ethics Deptartment
Web Developer (August 2007 - May 2009)
- Develop dynamic and functional web applications to allow departmental processes to be managed online
Universal Solutions, Inc.
Information Technology Intern (May 2006 - August 2007)
- Responsible for system administration for client Special Olympics New Jersey
Professional Memberships
- Association for Computing Machinery (ACM) (2010 - present)
- American Society for Information Science and Technology (ASIS&T) (2010 - present)
Extracurricular Activities
Cornell University Synchronized Skating Team Cornell University
Co-Captain (May 2010 - May 2011)
Team Member (September 2009 - present)
- Choreograph a program according to United States Figure Skating rules and coach team members in preparation for competition
- Manage team and its relationship with United States Figure Skating and Cornell University
- Practice and compete with the synchronized skating team in the Collegiate division of United States Figure Skating sanctioned events
Penn Figure Skating University of Pennsylvania
President (September 2007 - May 2009)
Board Member (September 2006 - May 2009)
Team Member (September 2005 - May 2009)
- Coordinated community service and university-wide events, competition arrangements and social events for students interested in the sport of figure skating
- Acted as Competition Chair for the 2009 Penn Quaker Classic, a qualifying intercollegiate competition where Penn hosted over one hundred skaters from thirteen universities across the east coast