Hey There!

I'm Sofie, a UX Researcher based in San Francisco with an academic background in Biological Anthropology. My passion for understanding human behavior and decision-making led me to study topics ranging from the roaming behaviors of wild monkeys to primate brain size evolution to during my MSc program. I also spent time as a research assistant in Zambia conducting observational research on semi-wild chimpanzees at the Chimfunshi Wildlife Orphanage.

I have developed horizontal research expertise that enhances businesses' understanding of diverse user types and product areas. At YouTube, I led consumer-facing weekly studies, including accessibility research. In my current role at Google, I focus on highly technical, business-facing tools within Core UX product teams, working on developer tools and AI-related topics. Additionally, I served as the sole UX Researcher for a 6-month diary study at PLOS, examining COVID-19's global impact on scientists across seven countries.

I specialize in collaborating with cross-functional teams to address varied research challenges and identify unmet user needs. By employing methodologies such as in-depth interviews, surveys, heuristic analysis, and literature reviews, I uncover insights that drive more intuitive and engaging user experiences.

If you would like to know more about me, my work, or have any questions, don't hesitate to email me at sofiemariev@gmail.com.