# Nina Ulaganathan

> Product Designer

Location: United States, United States
Profile: https://flows.cv/ninaulaganathan

Hi! My name is Nina, and I am a recent graduate of the University of California, Santa Cruz. I have received a degree in Cognitive Science with an specialization in Human-Computer Interaction. My interests include Human-Computer Interaction, Graphic Design, and UI/UX Design. I am actively searching for internships/full time roles in UI/UX Design and Product Management. My other interests include art, reading, and hiking.

## Work Experience
### Product Designer, Donor Experience @ Striving For All
Jan 2025 – Present
-Improving the end-to-end donor journey using user research and behavioral design to reduce friction and increase donor confidence.
- Designing and prototyped new giving features while collaborating across teams in Cameroon and the US.

### AUX Lab Undergraduate Research Assistant @ Baskin Engineering at UCSC
Jan 2025 – Present | Santa Cruz, California, United States
-Conducted user research to explore the digital divide in rural communities lacking broadband access.  
-Facilitated workshops with broadband advocacy groups to gather qualitative insights and identify key challenges.  
-Developed participant recruitment materials and supported outreach efforts to ensure diverse study participation.
-Research that I conducted eventually ended up being published in a masters thesis in the UC Santa Cruz Electronic Theses and Dissertations series. 
-Acknowledged as a research assistant on thesis.
-Received NSF REU Rural Computing Award


Currently: Conducting research about AI metaphors & anthropomorphism.

### ASSIST Lab Undergraduate Research Assistant @ Baskin Engineering at UCSC
Jan 2024 – Jan 2025 | Santa Cruz, California, United States
-Conducted user research for an AR-based physical therapy app designed to enhance exercise motivation in children with Down Syndrome.  
-Managed participant recruitment, ensuring ethical practices through outreach, consent communication, and scheduling.  
-Conducted semi-structured interviews with child users and parents to identify user behaviors, needs, and pain points.  
-Synthesized qualitative data using affinity mapping and thematic analysis to inform design recommendations.
-Received NSF REU Award

### Product Design Intern @ Graditude
Jan 2025 – Present | New York City Metropolitan Area
• Collaborated with a cross-functional team to design a web-based mentorship platform connecting students and alumni.  
• Developed an admin-facing feature with manual and AI-powered mentor matching workflows.  
• Translated research into user flows, wireframes, and prototypes, conducting usability testing to refine the user experience.  
• Partnered with stakeholders and developers to ensure technical feasibility and alignment with product goals.

### Product Designer @ DADO
Jan 2025 – Jan 2026 | Remote
-Lead 0→1 product design for a pre-seed luxury gifting startup called DADO, owned UX strategy, interaction
design, visual design, and prototyping from concept to MVP.
- Partnered with engineering & founders overcome technical constraints and ship a seamless,
secure checkout experience.
-Rapidly produced concepts, prototypes, and pixel-perfect designs under tight timelines.

### Ethnic Resource Center Assistant @ UCSC Ethnic Resource Centers
Jan 2024 – Jan 2025 | Santa Cruz, California, United States
Work front desk at the ERC, answer phone calls, and send emails

### Co President @ Creative Tech Design
Jan 2024 – Jan 2025 | Santa Cruz, California, United States
• Oversaw four teams within Creative Tech Design, enhancing collaboration and project efficiency.  
• Organized and conducted UX-based events and courses, fostering a strong learning environment.  
• Designed graphics and managed social media accounts, increasing the organization’s online presence.

### Marketing Team Lead @ Creative Tech Design
Jan 2023 – Jan 2025 | Santa Cruz, California, United States
Manage various social media platforms, attend weekly meetings, organize events

### Marketing Intern @ Creative Tech Design
Jan 2022 – Jan 2023 | Santa Cruz, California, United States
Designed graphics for the social media

### Peer Advisor @ University of California, Santa Cruz
Jan 2022 – Jan 2023 | Santa Cruz, California, United States
Set up meetings for students to meet with advisors, meet with and provide assistance to students who need help with classes, enrollment, LOAs, and graduation checks, answer emails and assist in inter-office communication, answer phone calls at front desk.


## Education
### Bachelor of Science - BS in Cognitive Science, Artificial Intelligence, & Human-Computer Interaction
University of California, Santa Cruz

### High School Diploma
Presentation High School


## Contact & Social
- LinkedIn: https://linkedin.com/in/nina-ulaganathan-9b1592198

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Source: https://flows.cv/ninaulaganathan
JSON Resume: https://flows.cv/ninaulaganathan/resume.json
Last updated: 2026-04-13