Katrina Pirie

Researcher & Technologist

Hello and welcome!

I’m Katrina Pirie, a proud Washingtonian and dedicated User Researcher with a passion for connecting with people and an unquenchable curiosity about what drives their experiences. My superpower? A unique blend of empathy and adaptability, honed through diverse environments in both research and customer service. I excel at speaking everyone’s language, making research not just accessible but also engaging and enjoyable!

Whether I’m designing user studies to evaluate innovative features or diving deep into source code to troubleshoot bugs, I thrive on staying busy and maximizing every moment at work—yes, I’ll even tackle the overflowing garbage can in the lab! My collaborative spirit allows me to bridge gaps between varied teams, leveraging strong interpersonal skills to foster cohesion among diverse groups. In the fast-paced world of research, I relish the excitement of unpredictable days filled with opportunities for growth and learning.

With experience in both qualitative and quantitative research methods—ranging from A/B testing and heuristic evaluations to survey design and focus groups, as well as technical biometric data collection—I don’t just stop at designing studies. I coordinate with team members to ensure a safe and welcoming lab experience, meticulously collecting and analyzing data to extract key insights that drive product strategy.

If you’re seeking a User Researcher experienced in the mixed reality sector, I invite you to reach out via the contact form at the bottom of this page. Let’s connect and explore how I can contribute to your team!

Outside of Work You’ll Find Me...

When I’m not busy working, you’ll likely catch me reveling in my role as a proud dog parent and cozy homebody extraordinaire! My perfect weekend features many trips to the dog park, where I unleash my energetic pug, Otis, and my introverted lab, Luna on a game of fetch (yes, my pug fetches like a champ– what he lacks in natural athletic ability he makes up for in heart!). After working up a sweat, we return home for some quality time with a good book in hand, preferably something from the thrilling realms of science fiction or a thriller– I love discussing the latest plot twists over a cup of hot cocoa!

I find immense joy in tackling jigsaw puzzles, even if they leave me feeling bittersweet when the last piece clicks into place and the fun’s over (it’s like finishing the last slice of cake… such a sweet moment, yet so sad!). Keeping busy is my jam—I’m often behind the bar mixing up tasty drinks, sweating it out in hot yoga, or hunting down the newest dessert spots in town (did I mention I have a sweet tooth that could rival a candy shop?).

And let’s not forget my passion for spreading joy through my collection of dad jokes and “Would You Rather” scenarios! (Seriously, give KatrinaBot a whirl—she’s got some killer questions up her sleeve!). I embrace a little silliness in life because, honestly, who has time for seriousness? I’m all about savoring the little moments that make each day sparkle!

Some Projects I’ve Worked On

Here are some brief overviews of some of the projects that I’ve worked on. Click the title to read more, and if you’d like to know even more, reach out to me via the contact form at the bottom of the page and I’ll get back to you as soon as I can.

Contact Me!

Leave a message for me and I will get right back to you!