Meet Our Team

We are psychologists with an extensive background in understanding human behavior. We are experts equipped with the skills, tools and knowledge to help you create intuitive, useful and delightful products for your customers.

MONICA SNIDEMAN, Ph.D.

Managing Partner

​Monica holds a M.A. and Ph.D. in Cognitive Experimental Psychology from Rice University, with a focus in Cognitive Neuroscience. Her interest in the human brain translated easily to the applied field of user experience, where she enjoys the process of understanding human behavior and perception. For the past 20 years, she has used her research skills to identify ways in which products can become more usable and intuitive. Her experience includes research with a wide range of websites, software, and hardware. Her projects have spanned a wide variety of companies across multiple sectors, including technology, healthcare, and energy/oil and gas.

CHRISTY HARPER, M.A.

Managing Partner

​Christy holds a B.S. and M.A. in Psychology from UHCL, where she is a Distinguished Alumni. For 18 years she worked at Compaq and HP first as a researcher and later managing the HF/UX research team responsible for the iterative design and improvement of products in the personal computing space. Prior work includes research for education, digital entertainment products, IoT and input devices. Her primary area of expertise is contextual/ethnographic research and human factors research applied to new product design.

ANDREA WILSON, M.S.

UX Researcher

​Andrea holds a M.S. in Human Factors Psychology from the University of Houston–Clear Lake.  Her experience includes research with software, hardware, prototyping, and usability. She is a member of the Human Factors and Ergonomics Society, Houston HFES, and former president of the HFES Student Chapter at UHCL.

MARIA MEDLARZ, M.S.

UX Researcher

Maria holds a M.S. in Information, with specializations in Human Computer Interaction and Information Analysis and Retrieval from the University of Michigan. She has a passion for conducting and managing user research studies, as well as translating those discoveries into suggestions for product improvement. ​

WILL ALTHOFF, M.S.

UX Researcher

Will holds a M.S. in Human Factors Psychology from the University of Houston-Clear Lake in Human Factors Psychology. He earned a B.S. in Psychology with a minor in Professional Writing. Will has spent the last four years studying serious games application and human-automation interaction. During that time, he gained experience running usability tests, designing novel research studies and programming games and applications. Will is also a member of the Human Factors and Ergonomics Society.

AMY YOW, M.S.

UX Researcher
Amy holds a M.S. in Human Factors Psychology from Wright State University. She earned a B.S. in Psychology with a minor in Math. Amy is passionate about learning new things and tackling new challenges. She is a results-oriented researcher and an ambitious project manager who is passionate about curriculum development, mentoring, teaching, and writing. 

MICHAEL MERTA, M.A.

UX Research Associate

Michael holds a M.A. in Psychology from University of Houston-Clear Lake's Applied Cognitive Psychology program, specializing in Human-Computer Interaction. He has worked on a variety of projects including websites, educational software, medical device software, and immersive technologies (AR/VR). Michael has a strong background in statistical analysis using SPSS and R. He is interested in discovering ways to improve user experience in a variety of domains including desktop, mobile, and virtual environments using immersive technologies.

LANDON SMEREK, M.S.

UX Research Associate

Landon holds a M.S. in Human Factors Psychology from the University of Houston-Clear Lake. He earned a B.S. in Psychology from Oklahoma Christian University. Landon is a graduate research assistant in the Perception and Action Lab, where he has helped with usability studies with “eXperimental Design Assistant” software, comparison studies with computer hardware, and academic research on immersive technologies (VR). Landon is also a member of the Human Factors and Ergonomics Society and is the Vice President of the HFES Student Chapter at UHCL. ​

TYLER DUKE

UX Research Intern

Tyler is a graduate student at the University of Houston-Clear Lake, studying Human Factors Psychology. He earned a B.S. in Psychology, with a minor in Anthropology, from UHCL. Tyler is a graduate research assistant in the Decision-making, Automation, Advice and Gaming Lab, where he has helped out with usability studies and focus groups on a smartwatch application tool, as well as assisted the development of a software gaming application. Tyler is also a member of the Human Factors and Ergonomics Society, and is the Secretary of the HFES Student Chapter at UHCL.
ERIKA FERRIS
UX Research Intern
Erika is a graduate student at the University of Houston-Clear Lake, studying Human Factors Psychology. She earned a B.S. in Psychology, with a double major in Criminology, from UHCL. Erika has worked in the Perception and Action Lab, where she has helped with usability studies with gaming peripherals, comparisons of computer hardware, and serious games. Erika is also a member of the Human Factors and Ergonomics Society, and is part of the HFES Student Chapter at UHCL.
​ELISA ARANGO
UX Research Intern
Elisa holds a B.A. in Psychology with minors in Engineering Design and in Global Health Technologies from Rice University. She is passionate about the intersection of design and psychology. Her experience includes user research, needs analysis, prototyping, and testing of devices aimed at addressing global health problems.

CHARITY ADAMS

Operations Manager

​Charity is our office manager and our go-to for the business side of our organization. She ensures that everyone has what they need to accomplish their work in an enjoyable environment. From music, supplies, snacks, and smiles to recruiting, scheduling, records and budgets, she keeps us running, enabling us to focus on your research needs. Charity holds a B.A. in Oral Communication from Weber State University and has extensive experience running non-profit organizations.

JONATHAN HOWARD

Office Assistant

​Jonathan is ready to greet our clients and participants at the front desk, help our studies run smoothly and  keep the clients and participants happy. He helps us update our database, maintain our  records and successfully fulfill our day to day operations. He has a degree in Business Management from Brigham Young University and prior work includes a Communications Internship for the Greater Idaho Falls Chamber of Commerce.