John Gaspar
UX Researcher & Brain Science Enthusiast
PhD, Experimental Psychology
Intro
A little about me.
Over the years I've had the opportunity to work with countless talented people in both industry and academia to produce exciting, impactful research. At Google, I’ve worked on both hardware and software teams, using research to impact product development from definition to launch. By combining qualitative and quantitative research, my focus has been on evaluating user experiences, directing product strategy, and influencing design decisions for the Pixel ecosystem. During my time in academia, I specialized in electroencephalography (EEG), eye-tracking, and cognitive-behavioral testing, with my research geared towards understanding attentional control in humans. This work has been published in high-impact journals and has been featured in a number of prominent pop-sci publications.
Expertise
Stuff I'm good at.
01
Research Experience
I have collaborated with cross-functional teams that include industrial designers, product designers, mechanical engineers, product managers, interaction designers, academics, and medical doctors to convert research findings into meaningful scientific and product advancements. This has been done on both large (n > 40k) and small datasets, using a variety of both qualitative and quantitative research techniques.
02
Experimental Design
I am experienced in both qualitative and quantitative experimental design and am effective at conveying the justification for my methods to stakeholders, granting agencies, and research ethics boards. I have designed experimental paradigms using several programming languages and tools, including MATLAB (Psychtoolbox), Unity (C#), Qualtrics, Presentation, and E-Prime.
03
Statistical Analyses
I have an advanced grasp of both frequentist and Bayesian inference and have employed a wide range of parametric and nonparametric test statistics in my work. I am proficient in doing analyses in MATLAB, R, SPSS, Sawtooth Lighthouse Studio (Maxdiff/CBC), Google Data Studio, JASP, Excel, Sheets, and Prism.
04
Public Speaking and Research Dissemination
My research has appeared in top-tier journals and has been featured in several pop-sci publications. I have given 10 invited talks and guest lectures at universities and colleges throughout North America. In addition to this, I have personally presented my research 14 times and have had my research presented by collaborators an additional nine times at national and international conferences.
05
Teaching and Public Education
I have been a teaching assistant 20 times since 2009 for a variety of college and university courses and have given numerous university lectures. I have mentored undergraduate and graduate students and was a member of the Canadian Institutes of Health Research (CIHR) Synapse Mentorship Program.
Highlighted Interviews and Media Relations
Articles on my research.
Professional Appointments
Places I've worked.
2019 – present
Senior UXR Manager, Pixel Hardware
Supervisor: Nazneen; Michael Lin
San Francisco, CA, USA
- Lead a team of 5 highly-skilled FTE UXRs in conducting end-to-end user research that connects attitudinal measures with both behavioral and business metrics.
- Work collaboratively with cross-functional teams that include designers, engineers, and product managers to convert research into meaningful recommendations, best practices, and product advancements.
- Oversee the design, analysis, and dissemination of research studies on both small (n < 10) and large (n > 40k) samples.
- Develop roadmaps and iterative research programs that support stakeholder needs and are in line with company- and org-level OKRs.
- Possess advanced knowledge in advanced survey methodologies (e.g. Maxdiff, CBC), graphic design, data visualization, dashboarding, and video editing.
- Have received 34 peer recognition (gThanks) awards for going above and beyond.
2018 – 2019
Contracted through Adecco
UX Researcher, Google AR (Previously Daydream)
Supervisor: Dan Odell
Mountain View, CA, USA
- Executed analysis and interpreted findings for over 20 quantitative and qualitative studies in a year and a half, turning raw data into narrative-driven deliverables (e.g., reports, decks, videos, dashboards) with high-level insights and actionable key takeaways.
- Introduced statistical research methodologies to management and stakeholders that are now widely employed by UX researchers across the org.
- Authored and published an academic manuscript on my very first Google study!
2016 – 2018
Center for the Mind & Brain
Postdoctoral Scholar
Supervisor: Steve Luck
Davis, CA, USA
- Worked with the preeminent scientist in the field to produce high-impact research publications on visual attention and distraction.
- Led the design, implementation, piloting, recruitment, running, and analysis of highly technical behavioral, EEG, and eye-tracking research studies both on undergraduate and clinical populations.
- Oversaw the honours programme of an undergraduate student and the hiring/management of several research assistants.
2009 – 2016
Simon Fraser University
Teaching Assistant
Burnaby, BC, Canada
-
Behavioural Endocrinology (PSYC 381)
Spring 2016 semester, Instructor: Dr. Bryan Jones
- Introduction to Cognitive Psychology (PSYC 221)
Fall 2015, Fall 2014, and Fall 2010 semester, Instructor: Dr. Richard Wright
- Cognitive Neuroscience (PSYC 382)
Summer 2015, Fall 2013, and Fall 2011 semester, Instructor: Dr. John McDonald
- Introduction to Cognitive Psychology (PSYC 221)
Spring 2015, Spring 2012, and Spring 2011 semester, Instructor: Dr. Tom Spalek
- Introduction to Research Methods (PSYC 201W)
Summer 2014 semester, Instructor: Dr. George Alder
- Attention (PSYC 330)
Spring 2014 semester, Instructor: Dr. Richard Wright
- Memory and Mind (PSYC 325)
Spring 2013 and Fall 2011 semester, Instructor: Dr. Mario Liotti
- Introduction to Biological Psychology (PSYC 280)
Summer 2012 semester, Instructor: Dr. Neil Watson
- Introduction to Biological Psychology (PSYC 280)
Summer 2011 semester, Instructor: Dr. Ralph Mistlberger
- Introduction to Cognitive Psychology (PSYC 221)
Fall 2010 semester, Instructor: Dr. Richard Wright
- Introduction to Biological Psychology (PSYC 280)
Spring 2010 semester, Instructor: Dr. Tony Herdman
- Brain, Mind, and Society (PSYC 109W)
Fall 2009 semester, Instructor: Dr. Gordon Rose
Education
Places I've learned.
2012 – 2016
Simon Fraser University
Doctor of Philosophy in Experimental Psychology, Cognitive and Neural Studies
Advisory committee: John McDonald, Urs Ribary, Mario Liotti
Burnaby, BC, Canada
- Thesis: Mechanisms of attentional processing during visual search: how distraction is handled by the brain
2009 – 2012
Simon Fraser University
Master of Arts in Experimental Psychology, Cognitive and Neural Studies
Advisory committee: John McDonald, Urs Ribary
Burnaby, BC, Canada
- Thesis: Within- versus cross-dimensional capture in fixed-feature visual search
2005 – 2009
Simon Fraser University
Bachelor of Arts in Psychology
Burnaby, BC, Canada
2000 – 2001
University of British Columbia
Certificate in Internet Publishing
Vancouver, BC, Canada
Publications
Papers I've published in academic journals.
Awards
Funding and kudos I've received.
2019-2024
Google gThanks Awards: Kudos (4), Peer Bonus (23), Spot Bonus (7)
2017
Vision Sciences Society 17th Annual Meeting Graphics Competition ($350)
2014-2016
Postgraduate Scholarship - Doctoral, Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council ($42,000)
2014
Ph.D. Graduate Fellowship, Simon Fraser University ($6,250)
2013
Graduate Student Research Award, Simon Fraser University ($12,500)
2013
Ph.D. Graduate Fellowship, Simon Fraser University ($3,125)
2012
Canadian Psychological Association Certificate of Academic Excellence
2012
British Columbia Psychological Association Graduate Medal in Psychology
2012
M.A. Graduate Fellowship, Simon Fraser University ($6,250)
2010
M.A. Graduate Fellowship, Simon Fraser University ($6,250)
2009
Special Graduate Entrance Scholarship, Simon Fraser University ($7,000)
2008