Talie Massachi

Talie Massachi is a Lecturer in the Department of Computer and Information Science at the University of Pennsylvania, specializing in human-computer interaction with a focus on social support networks in online communication platforms. Her work bridges technology design with psychological understanding to create systems that enhance emotional wellbeing through digital interactions while preserving privacy.

Her educational background includes:

• PhD in Computer Science from Brown University, where she worked in the Brown HCI Lab under the supervision of Professor Jeff Huang
• BS in Computer Science and Psychology from Brandeis University (2018)

Dr. Massachi's research investigates how people build and maintain social connections through digital channels, with particular emphasis on anonymous communication and mental health support. Her work combines rigorous user studies with practical system development, often resulting in open-source tools that address specific challenges in online social interaction. She approaches problems at the intersection of technology design, psychology, and social behavior, seeking solutions that balance user needs with ethical considerations.

Her publication record shows consistent contributions to top HCI venues (CSCW, CHI, IUI), with recent work focusing on worker wellbeing, personal data reflection, and the socio-emotional impacts of limited communication channels like emoji-only interactions. Her research demonstrates methodological diversity, employing qualitative studies, user experiments, and system development to explore how technology can foster meaningful connections.

Dr. Massachi is actively engaged in teaching user interface and experience design, having taught courses at both Brown University and the University of Pennsylvania. She has instructed both introductory workshops for non-majors and advanced courses for computer science concentrators, demonstrating adaptability in her pedagogical approach.

She leads two major research projects: Chirp (a social support system with anonymous emoji-based mood tracking, evaluated in a 90-person user study) and Sochiatrist (a social data extractor for mental health research that has processed data from over 350 individuals). These projects involve collaboration with clinical researchers and are supported by multiple NIH grants including R21 HD088739, R01 MH108641, and others.