Rachael Marie Miller

I'm an undergraduate in Computer Science looking to change the way that we think about computers. The potential for good software to facilitate amazing advancements in the human experience is what drives me to keep improving on our interaction systems. I want to improve our user interfaces and input systems so we can gain information and understanding faster- how many times has a great textbook or diagram helped you understand an idea? How often do you wave your hands and make gestures in an attempt to convey your own thoughts? These connections can come easier and more thoroughly with collaboration and visualization tools that fit perfectly into our natural interactions.

As a technologist, my primary interest is in closing the gap between the user and their information. Often, the steep learning curve of technology can be a barrier that keeps people from using tools that can make their lives easier and more productive. To help connect people with the information they need to improve their lives, I have focused my time as a student on studying human-centered computing, in addition to the technical and programming skills of a computer science degree.

Studying the User 

• At the UM3D Lab, I develop for a system that translates natural hand movements into controls to navigate a 3D environment. This project has required an understanding of how people perceive their relationship with visualizations, e.g. do they gesture to interact with an image on a screen as they would interact with a physical object? What if the screen is 3D, or part of a larger immersive environment?
  
• In Needs Assessment and Usability Evaluation, my team and I did a full usability evaluation of Google Maps with focus on accessibility for handicapped individuals. We created an interaction map for the product, conducted user research, developed personas, and finally made a collection of accessibility recommendations at the end of the project. 

Human-Centered Product Design

• As a Program Management intern at Microsoft, I worked on the Word team evaluating problem areas in list-making tools and image insertion on mobile. In these problem spaces where users have a set of expectations for a long-standing product like Word, it was critical to have an understanding the user's mental model of the software.
  
• In Software Engineering, I proposed, designed, and later developed, with a team of fellow students, an application that allowed a local girl with cerebral palsy to compose music using a sequencer program on a tablet. Because of her limited motor control, this application had to be carefully designed to be operable with just one gesture. 

Visual and Interface Design

• I learned a great deal about interaction design from the Office Design team as a Program Management intern. Together, we proposed new interaction designs that better aligned the internal structure of documents with their visual representation. Unfortunately, I cannot showcase these designs publicly for confidentiality reasons.
• Although I do not have formal training in visual design, I work to present information as effectively as I can. These efforts can be seen in my research posters, which have received awards for visual and verbal presentation; and in the advertisements I have created for the Girls in EECS club.
• As of December 2015 I am currently learning HTML, CSS, and JavaScript independently to expand my skillset in interface development. Sample work will be posted here before 2016. 

• C++ (fluent)
• C (fluent)
• SQL (fluent)
• C# (familiar)
• MATLAB (familiar)
• Java (familiar)
• Ruby (familiar)

• Visual Studio
• Eclipse
• PostgreSQL
• Git
• SourceTree
• BitBucket
• Perforce
• Android SDK
• Kinect SDK
• OpenGL & GLUT

Girls in Electrical Engineering and Computer Science

Initiatives Committee Lead May 2015 - Present

President May 2014 - May 2015

Vice President Jan 2014 - May 2014

Outreach Officer Sept 2013 - Jan 2014

I lead the gEECS Initiatives committee and am organizing our trip to the 2015 Grace Hopper Conference.

Previously, I managed the gEECS officer team and administration as president and am currently assisting with the transition to our new leadership team as my graduation date approaches.

In 2014, gEECS:

• Arranged to send 12 members to the Grace Hopper Conference
• Continued our high school outreach with an Arduino workshop for local girls
• Hosted numerous professional events to give our members networking opportunities
• Encouraged connections between our members through social and academic events, study groups, and our mentorship program

Center for Engineering Diversity and Outreach

Peer Mentor Sept 2013 - May 2014

I mentored two female underclassmen in Computer Science Engineering on a weekly basis during their first year at the university.  

Electronic Lunch

Coordinator Sept 2012 - Jan 2013

Electronic Lunch is a weekly think-tank for the makers of the UM community. A fellow student and I helped revamp it after a hiatus when the previous leader left. I helped organize events and speakers, and contributed to the blog. I was also in charge of advertising, including poster design. I also led a workshop on getting started with Kinect programming, which included an online tutorial that has since received 12K hits. It continues to average 500 hits/month today. https://electroniclunch.wordpress.com/2013/01/14/kinect- tutorial-c/https://electroniclunch.wordpress.com/author/mrachael