Peter Alderks

About Peter Alderks

I am a user researcher interested in improving the user experience with innovative and…

Experience

1. Design Researcher

   Microsoft

   Mar 2016 — Present · Redmond, WA, US

   I am currently a studio research lead, primarily focused on providing insight to teams building new apps for HoloLens and Mixed Reality experiences. In this role I am responsible for organizing a research program to meet the needs of partner teams. During pre-market stages, I work with product teams to conduct generative research and identify opportunities and unfulfilled user needs. As an app begins to take shape, I help the team iterate on designs using evaluative research methods such as lab and online usability testing, heuristic evaluations and cognitive walkthroughs, etc. I also work with a team of researchers and vendors to maximize the impact of our research across multiple design studios.As the FAST team lead, I helped rebuild and launch the FAST research engine which conducts iterative usability studies on a wide range of Microsoft products and devices. I conducted lab usability studies on everything from Xbox to ink, defined the FAST processes to maximize efficiency, and trained new employees and vendors.

Education

• University of Washington

  Ph.D.

  2006 — 2013

• Brigham Young University

  B.S.

  1999 — 2005

Skills

• Project Management
• Statistics
• Neuroscience
• Experimental Design
• Microsoft Office
• Public Speaking
• Microsoft Excel
• Powerpoint
• R
• Research
• Spss
• Qualitative Research
• Electrophysiology
• Animal Behavior
• Psychology
• Laboratory
• Science
• Data Analysis
• Physiology
• University Teaching
• Writing
• Research Design
• Teaching
• Ecology
• Scientific Writing