Jaclyn Thomas, PhD
About Jaclyn Thomas, PhD
Jaclyn Thomas, PhD, is a User Experience Researcher with a strong background in anthropology and over 10 years of experience in research design and analysis. She currently works at Bass Pro Shops and StrongMind, utilizing various research tools to enhance customer experiences and understanding of human behavior.
Current Role at StrongMind
Jaclyn Thomas serves as a User Experience Researcher at StrongMind, a position she has held since 2022. In this role, she focuses on enhancing customer experiences by leveraging her expertise in research methodologies. She engages in active recruitment of participants and peer-coaching to improve interactions between customers and the company. Her work aims to bridge the gap between company products and user needs, ensuring that the user experience is prioritized in product development.
Educational Background
Jaclyn Thomas has a robust educational background in Anthropology. She earned her Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) from Arizona State University, where she studied from 2017 to 2022. Prior to that, she obtained a Master of Arts (MA) in Anthropology from George Mason University, studying from 2015 to 2017. Her academic journey began with a Bachelor of Arts (BA) in Anthropology, also from George Mason University, completed from 2010 to 2015.
Professional Experience in Research
Jaclyn Thomas has over 10 years of experience in research design, analysis, and communication, with a focus on understanding human behavior in relation to health, fitness, and wellbeing. She has directed collaborative research teams to identify and resolve knowledge gaps, improving the understanding of the human experience. Her previous roles include working as a Researcher in Human Behavior & Biology at Arizona State University from 2019 to 2022 and as a Teaching Assistant at George Mason University from 2015 to 2017.
Technical Skills and Methodologies
Jaclyn Thomas utilizes a diverse toolkit for research and analysis, including SPSS, R, Nvivo, UCINET, DOMO, MAXQDA, and Google Analytics. She possesses advanced skills in both quantitative and qualitative research methods, including ethnography and participant observation. Her experience includes mentoring on research methodology for over five years, both in classroom settings and virtually, demonstrating her commitment to fostering research skills in others.
Contributions to Research and Publications
Jaclyn Thomas has contributed to the field of research through various initiatives, including a blog post titled 'The Comeback Kid: Credit Recovery.' This contribution reflects her engagement with contemporary issues in education and customer experience. Her work emphasizes the importance of understanding user needs and improving customer interactions, aligning with her professional focus on user experience research.