Hello, I am Fernando! I am a President’s Postdoctoral Fellow at the University of Minnesota in the Department of Computer Science and Engineering. I am a member of the GroupLens Research Center working with Profs. Dr. Lana Yarosh and Dr. Stevie Chancellor. I obtained a PhD degree in Informatics from Indiana University’s Luddy School of Informatics, Computing, and Engineering. I also hold a Master’s degree in Informatics from the University of Iowa’s Interdisciplinary Graduate Program in Informatics.

Research
I apply novel methods to conduct Human-Computer Interaction (HCI) research remotely with stigmatized and marginalized populations. I use participatory design and qualitative methods to explore the use of current technology as well as the design of future technology with these populations. I have also explored and evaluated ways in which this type of research can be improved from methodological and ethical perspectives.

As a member of the LGBTQ+ community, I have experienced and witnessed the negative impact of stigma on physical and mental health. Thus, I have been exploring ways to design and develop technological interventions that could minimize the deleterious impact of stigma in people’s lives. I have also done research on the co-design of technological interventions that could aid in coping with HIV-related stigma.

Teaching & Service
I was an Instructor of Record as well as an Associate Instructor for a variety of courses in Informatics for undergraduate and graduate level during my PhD studies at Indiana University. Example of these courses include Introduction to Human-Computer Interaction Design, Multimedia, and User Experience Design. I also worked as an Associate Instructor for master’s degree students in the HCI/d program working on their final capstone projects (sample catalogs: 2017 | 2018 | 2019).

I collaborated in the creation of the Luddy Ambassador Graduate Program at Indiana University to help with on boarding prospective and incoming graduate students. I have also served as a mentor for underrepresented undergraduate students during the i3Program at the University of Pittsburgh and the Research Experiences for Undergraduates (REU) summer program at both Indiana University and the University of Minnesota.