I am a Junior Software Engineer, seamlessly blending technical skills with UX expertise gained from an 8-year career in UX Research and Accessibility. Recently graduating from Makers Software Bootcamp, I honed a range of tech skills including Python, JavaScript, Swift, CSS, HTML, MERN stack, and PostgreSQL while collaborating with diverse teams to deliver full-stack projects.
I bring a wealth of soft skills, including exceptional communication, problem-solving, strategic thinking, and collaboration abilities, enabling me to drive user-centred solutions and enhance team collaboration. With a solid understanding of the product lifecycle, a strong customer-centric approach, and a strong sense of empathy, I am empowered to bridge the gap between user needs and technical implementation, driving innovation.
💍 Crafting unique silver jewels
🍞 Cooking and making doughs - from pasta to bread and filo pastries
🐶 Petting All the Dogs in the World! One day I'll adopt a dog, for now, I'm the person running after every dog I see!
| Title | Description | Timeframe | Tech |
|---|---|---|---|
| Acebook | A Facebook-like web app built with the MERN stack. Starting from a legacy codebase with account creation, login, and viewing posts functionality, features were added for creating and liking posts, commenting on posts, liking comments, editing password, and viewing profile details amongst others | 2 weeks | MERN stack, MongoDB, Express.js, React, Node.js, JavaScript |
| MakersBnB | A property rental web app similar to Airbnb. The project was developed using Test-Driven Development (TDD). Key features include user signup and login with sessions, viewing all property listings, detailed property pages, single-night bookings, and creating new property listings | 1 week | Python, Flask, Pytest, HTML, CSS, PostgreSQL |
| FuryRoam | Personalised travel recommendations based on user preferences and historical weather data. Multiple APIs fetch relevant data, tailoring recommendations to user input, including city details and weather APIs. A map API allows visual exploration of recommended cities. Logic and API request timing was refactored to reduce response time leading to a seamless User Experience. | 2 weeks | Python, Flask, Pytest, React, Vite, Vitetest, HTML, CSS, Render (deployment) |
Junior Software Engineer, Jan 2024 - May 2024
- Collaborated in diverse teams, delivering full-stack solutions under tight timelines, utilising various technologies and languages, including Python, JavaScript, Swift, CSS, and HTML, the MERN stack (React, Express.js, MongoDB, Node.js), PostgreSQL
- Implemented agile practices in group projects: stand-ups, retros, pull request review protocols
- Acquired rapid language learning and effective research skills
- Implemented Test-Driven Development for robust code with unit, integration, and feature tests
- Extensively practised pair programming for enhanced collaboration and code quality
- Acquired an understanding of Object-Oriented Programming (OOP) principles
- Implemented a design-first approach, mapping out multi-class systems based on user stories, designing database structures, and utilising diagrams for visualisation before development
- Practised navigating and building on complex legacy codebase
- Utilised Git & GitHub for version control in projects
Senior UX Researcher, Jul 2023 - Oct 2023
- Gathered business requirements in workshops, translating them into research questions
- Supported the Electric Vehicle team in designing and evaluating a new app journey
Senior UX Researcher, Dec 2022 - Feb 2023
- Collaborated with cross-functional Product teams
- Led Strategic Research and conducted competitor analysis to inform product roadmaps
- Established participant recruitment process with external recruitment agencies
Senior UX Researcher, Mar 2022 - Feb 2023
- Led workshops for business requirement gathering, collaborative Research data analysis, solution ideation, and user story creation amongst others
- Supported Payments team in designing and evaluating new app and web journeys
- Conducted data analysis on extensive qualitative data sets
- Founding Accessibility Champions member, created training material and delivered presentations
- Mentored and trained Junior User Researchers
Senior UX Researcher, Oct 2018 - Jul 2021
- Led complex and strategic Research projects marrying qual and quant data
- Presented internal talks to advocate for User-Centred Design and Accessibility
- Developed templates to improve consistency and efficiency in deliverables
Senior UX Researcher, May 2018 - Oct 2018 - Junior UX Researcher, Mar 2015 - May 2018
- Led complex projects involving hard-to-reach customers and cross-functional teams
- Led Accessibility Research projects with users of a range of assistive technologies
- Collaborated with top clients such as BBC, HSBC, Channel 4, Virgin Media, Sky, Vodafone, EasyJet, Tesco, Imperial College Business School and more
- Mentored team members to enhance their Research skills
- Led organisation’s first VR Usability Testing and created VR Research guide
MSc Human-Computer Interaction with Ergonomics, Sep 2013 - Sep 2014
Grade: Distinction & Best Dissertation Prize
5-year BSc (Integrated MSc) Product and System's Design Engineering, Sep 2005 - Sep 2010
Grade: 7.6/ 10 - equivalent to 2:1
Tajadura-Jimenez, A., Basia, M., Deroy, O., Fairhurst, M., Marquardt, N., & Bianchi-Berthouze, N. (2015). As light as your footsteps: altering walking sounds to change perceived body weight, emotional state and gait 33rd annual ACM conference on human factors in computing systems
Moulianitis, V., Syrimpeis, V., Aspragathos, N., Panagiotopoulos, E., Basia, M., & Fournianakis, I. (2013) Expert system for gait event detection based on the gait cycle of both lower limbs