WormFindr

Exploring the 3D Anatomy of C. Elegans

Date
June 2025 - Aug 2025
My role
Product Design Intern
Focus
UX Audit & Refinement
3D Navigation Research
Research Poster
Context
As a Product Design Intern at the NCSA, I worked on WormFindr, a tool for exploring the 3D anatomy of the research worm C. Elegans. My role centered on refining the existing interface, investigating navigation through a cognitive science lens, and creating a research poster for conference presentation.

UX Audit

I conducted a heuristic analysis of the WormFindr interface, identifying friction points in navigation, labeling, and interaction design. From there, I prototyped solutions that streamlined usability and better aligned with established design heuristics.

3D Navigation Secondary Research

During the heuristic evaluation, I noticed major issues with the 3D navigation options for the worm model. I was given the opportunity to research alternative solutions for navigating 3D models, drawing on my background in cognitive science and phenomenology.
My research examined how humans interpret spatiality through perceptual cues, and I synthesized these insights into a design brief for my colleagues. This work not only informed Wormfindr’s development but was also applied to another NCSA project: a surgical tool that generates 3D models of cancer tissue to aid surgeons in tumor removal procedures.
Check it out:  
link to google slides! (:

Research Poster

One of my first contributions to Wormfindr was assisting in the design of a research poster to present the product to the academic community. This meant quickly learning the language of biology researchers who work with C. Elegans, so I could properly communicate the product’s purpose and value to them.
 I designed the poster in Figma, focusing on clarity, hierarchy, and visual appeal to communicate Wormfindr’s goals and features effectively.

Thank you for visiting!

Let's connect.
📩
xchtlzpt@gmail.com
LinkedInLink to PDF Resume
Last updated: Sept 26, 2025