Hi, I'm Marj! (pronouns: she/her).

I'm a UX Researcher and a Computational Media PhD student in the Alternative Learning Technologies & Games Lab at UC Santa Cruz.

I enjoy using analytical and creative methods to research my various interests across human-computer interaction (HCI) and games.

I'm primarily curious about challenge, collaboration, and how they are expressed through mechanics in games. I study how they relate to player experience and reflective learning. I use games user research (GUR) methods and also explore embodied interaction (XR).

Apart from obsessing over Pokémon, I love games that address issues such as mental health, queer identities, and accessibility. I believe games and playable media are powerful in eliciting immersive, enjoyable, and meaningful experiences 🎮