Dr. Jess Mendoza

Dr. Jess Mendoza is a cognitive psychologist, UX researcher, and human experience advocate who specializes in understanding how people think, behave, and interact with technology. Her work brings together cognitive psychology, user experience research, artificial intelligence, and human-centered design to explore how technology can better serve the people who use it. Jess began her career in academia, developing expertise in experimental psychology and cognition before transitioning into the technology industry. She earned a B.A. in Psychology from California State University, Dominguez Hills and later completed a Ph.D. in Experimental Psychology with a focus on Cognition at the University of Alabama. Her academic background included conducting social experiments and presenting research internationally, providing a strong foundation for her later work in UX research. After completing her doctorate, Jess made the transition from academia into technology, moving into UX research within the finance and insurance sectors. In her research work, she listens to users, conducts studies, collaborates with cross-functional teams, and helps organizations understand how people experience and interact with their products. Her approach combines rigorous research methods with her understanding of cognition and human behavior. A major focus of Jess’s current work is the relationship between AI and the human experience. She advocates for AI literacy and encourages people and organizations to think critically about how artificial intelligence affects the way people work, communicate, make decisions, and interact with technology. She has also worked to build AI literacy within professional communities, emphasizing the importance of communication, critical thinking, and human connection when adopting AI. Jess is also an AI and UX research volunteer with LAHelpNow, where she applies her expertise in Generative AI, UX research, and cognitive psychology to support the design of Lala, the organization’s AI-powered digital assistant. Working with designers and developers across the globe, she has helped ensure that Lala’s responses are empathetic, accessible, and culturally sensitive, with the goal of helping people affected by disasters find real-time, verified resources. Her work with LAHelpNow demonstrates her interest in using technology for positive social impact. Rather than viewing AI simply as a productivity tool, Jess focuses on how emerging technologies can be designed and implemented in ways that respect human needs, improve accessibility, and support people during difficult circumstances. Jess is also active in the UX and AI communities as a speaker, mentor, and advocate for human-centered technology. She has discussed topics including AI literacy, UX research, career transitions, psychological safety, inclusive design, and the changing relationship between humans and AI. Her perspective combines scientific research with practical experience in technology, allowing her to bridge the gap between academic understanding of human behavior and real-world product development. Through her research, community work, and advocacy, Jess encourages organizations and individuals to approach AI with curiosity, critical thinking, empathy, and a strong understanding of human behavior. Her multidisciplinary perspective makes her particularly interested in creating technology that is not only functional, but also accessible, inclusive, psychologically informed, and genuinely useful to the people it serves.