Kelly Ortega
Education
The University of Michigan Ann Arbor, MI Master of Science in Information, User Experience Research and Design (Expected) May 2027
The University of Michigan Ann Arbor, MI Bachelor of Arts in Psychology, Anthropology May 2022
Experiences
Student User Experience Researcher (Aug. 2025﹘ Dec. 2025)
University of Michigan, Client: Turner Senior Resource Center
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Conducted UX research to improve a senior resource center’s digital resource guide, including 7 semi-structured interviews with staff and older adults and in-context observations of resource-seeking workflows.
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Synthesized qualitative data using affinity mapping to identify key constraints around accessibility and long-term sustainability, reframing initial problem assumptions.
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Developed recommendations aligned with organizational constraints, including accessibility-focused email templates and strategies to reduce maintenance burden and improve usability.
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Research Coordinator (Feb. 2023 – present)
Erie Family Health Centers​​
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Led research project to increase postpartum visit attendance: conducted participant interviews, synthesized findings, and implemented an intervention, improving attendance by 28%.
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Spearheaded the department's first annual research report; synthesizing project outcomes and findings for internal and external stakeholders.
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Manages research operations for 13 public health research projects from proposal intake through results dissemination.
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User Experience Research Assistant (Nov. 2021 – May 2022)
The University of Michigan Library​
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Planned and conducted usability tests to evaluate users' in person and online experience of a new room booking service.
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Participated in brainstorming sessions using service design methods like service blueprinting to map the touchpoints and create a prototype of a new room booking service
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Drafted surveys on Qualtrics and analyzed data about the usefulness and desirability of the library's new room booking service.
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Planned and conducted intercept interviews with library users asking them to participate in card sort activities.
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Analyzed research data and developed actionable insights and recommendations which furthered the department's strategic space improvement goals.
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Synthesized and presented research findings to key stakeholders through presentations and written summary reports.
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​Research Assistant (Sep. 2020- May 2021)
The University of Michigan Library, Communication & Media
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Conducted qualitative community research, including participant recruitment and interviews in English and Spanish, to understand experiences of the Hispanic community during the pandemic
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Coded and analyzed data using thematic analysis and collaborated with partners to present findings at a symposium
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User Research: Usability Testing, Interviews, Contextual Inquiry, Affinity Mapping, Thematic Analysis, Surveys (Qualtrics)
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Design: Wireframing, Prototyping, Storyboarding, User Journeys, Service Blueprints, Figma, Adobe Creative Suite
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Languages: English, Spanish (Fluent)
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