I am a graduate student in the Master of Arts Program in the Social Sciences (MAPSS) at the University of Chicago, concentrating in Psychology. My research focuses on digital platforms, user experience, and mental health, with a particular interest in how the design of online social environments shapes user behavior, self-perception, and emotional well-being.
I use mixed research methods including experiments, surveys, and qualitative interviews to study how people interact with digital platforms. My work bridges social science research and UX research, with the goal of informing more thoughtful and responsible technology design.
Developed a strategic product concept proposing "DoorDash Home," a platform extension connecting users with local home services such as cleaning and moving. The project included market sizing, competitive analysis, and consumer segmentation, positioning the service around speed, transparency, and trust.
This project is part of my graduate research on how dating app use may shape users’ psychological experiences, including self-esteem, loneliness, and perceived stress. The study uses a 2×2 experimental design comparing active vs. passive engagement and high vs. low social feedback in order to examine how different forms of platform interaction affect users’ emotional responses.
To support this research, I designed and built a simulated dating app environment that allows participants to move through structured interaction conditions in a way that resembles real app use. The research proposal outlines the theoretical background, research questions, experimental design, and broader significance of the study, while the simulator demonstrates the interactive environment used in the project.
Conducted a mixed-methods UX research project examining user engagement and subscription experiences on Tinder. The study combined survey data and qualitative interviews to identify behavioral patterns, motivations, and barriers preventing users from moving from browsing to meaningful conversations.
Contributed to the 2024 Shanghai Cycling Campaign for Le Coq Sportif, developing social media content and messaging aimed at engaging young urban cyclists and promoting cycling apparel. The campaign increased brand engagement and was recognized as the 2024 Annual Sport Integrated Marketing Communication Campaign Case.
Email: isaaczihaohuang@outlook.com
GitHub: zihaohuang89.github.io/ZihaoHuang_Portfolio/
LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/zihao-huang-712353267