Hi! I am Ning! I am currently a Research Fellow at the National Center for Science and Engineering Statistics (NCSES) within the U.S. National Science Foundation (NSF).
My work bridges engineering, artificial intelligence, Earth science, human-centered design, and educational research. With interdisciplinary training in geophysics, Earth system science, engineering, multimedia design, and learning sciences, I study how people learn, think, make decisions, and interact with complex systems and complex information. Throughout my career, I have worked on engineering and scientific challenges involving geospatial technologies, scientific visualization, AI-assisted analytics, digital twins, multimedia systems, and interactive decision-support tools. My research spans applications such as climate systems, Earth systems, scientific data analysis, workforce intelligence, and public decision-making. A central theme of my work is the design of Multiple External Representations (MERs)—including videos, interactive visualizations, dashboards, simulations, AI-powered interfaces, digital twins, and immersive experiences—to help people better understand complex information and make more informed decisions.
I use mixed-methods research, combining quantitative analytics, machine learning, UX research, controlled experiments, interviews, and behavioral analysis to understand how people learn from multimedia and interact with information systems. My goal is to develop evidence-based design principles that predict and improve the effectiveness of engineering systems, educational technologies, and AI-enabled products.
In addition to academic research, I apply these human-centered methodologies to product design, UX research, and engineering innovation, helping organizations understand user behavior, evaluate product experiences, and translate research findings into intuitive, accessible, and impactful digital products and services. My work connects engineering with human cognition, ensuring that advanced technologies are not only technically robust but also meaningful and effective for the people who use them.
PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE
Product Innovator, Designer, & Researcher Human-AI Systems 2022 – Present
National Center for Science and Engineering Statistics (NCSES), NSF · ORISE Research Fellow · Alexandria, VA
● Led UX strategy and interaction design for the next-generation Science & Engineering Indicators Explorer, a flagship federal data platform used by the National Science Board, policymakers, and the public to understand U.S. science and engineering trends.
● Designed and shipped the Automatic Description Service (ADS), an AI-driven system that auto-generates contextual explanations and recommendations, improving how users interpret complex visualizations and data — directly increasing user comprehension and confidence, not just time-on-page.
● Owned product design for the SAP Metrics Portal and early concepts for the National Secure Data Service (NSDS) metrics portal, covering data architecture, query APIs, visualization, and accessibility end to end.
● Ran structured interviews with National Science Board members, NCSES leadership, researchers, and public users to translate research findings directly into shipped interface and interaction decisions.
● Operated as a one-person design-to-build pipeline: wireframes, prototypes, front-end implementation, and coordination with data, web, and compliance teams through production launch.
Product, Research & Development Director 2022 – Present
HomeWorld Educational Resources · Frisco, TX
● Founded and lead product development for AI-powered learning tools designed around capability growth rather than engagement: Texas Power Hero (an AI-agent career-simulation platform using learning-by-ranking techniques) and 3x3 Science.
● Designed and built the HWER–UTD Teaching Clinical Training Simulator, an AI multi-agent system that lets pre-service teachers practice classroom decision-making in a virtual environment, funded in part by NSF NAIRR.
● Serve as project lead across the full product lifecycle — concept, prototype (React/TypeScript/Python), user testing, and deployment — while also authoring grant proposals (NSF NAIRR, IES, Google Gen AI Challenge, MIT Solve) that funded the work.
Co-Founder & Lab Manager, UTD Geoscience Studio 2016 – 2022
The University of Texas at Dallas · Richardson, TX
● Designed and built the Google Earth Geoscience Video Library (GEGVL), an early immersive learning system combining GIS, Google Earth, and place-based video for geoscience education, published in Geosciences (MDPI).
● Ran the lab's full research-to-product cycle for multimedia learning tools — concept, design, prototyping, in-classroom testing, and publication — across three universities and 170+ study participants.
● Also served as Adjunct Professor (2023–2025), teaching and applying this same research directly to product decisions.
About Me
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I dedicate my time to the 'valuable' things, good, spiritual, and about love.
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I am a natural supporter. Whatever my position in a team is, I will support the whole team. With my broad background and skills, I love to complement individuals' weaknesses and enhance their strengths.
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I am an innovator. I love to create, design and make my ideas into useful products.
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I am a multimedia specialist and science communicator. With the current network infrastructure, I believe in its power to change the world.
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I am a researcher and a curious person, loving to explore the unknown and extend my boundaries of knowledge.
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I like to take on engineering challenges. The engineering practices develop my wisdom, skills, and knowledge faster.
