Sandy (Yiyang) Zhao

Instructional Designer

Carnegie Mellon University, Open Learning Initiative — Pittsburgh, PA

• Learning Content Creation: Consulted with 5 SMEs and faculty stakeholders to design, implement, and deliver instructional content for STEM-focused higher-education-level courses on Canvas, while managing multiple projects at the same time.
• Course QA and Housekeeping: Proofread, QA-ed, and participated in final editing for interactive eLearning modules built and reviewed across multiple LMS platforms, including Canvas and OLI Torus. Shipped out 30 modules in total and updated over 5 existing courses to re-align them with educational needs. Ensured all instructional content met WCAG digital accessibility standards.
• Data Analysis: Conducted learning-objective-level data analysis and course evaluation, presented insights to faculty and stakeholders, and recommended pedagogical improvements based on outcomes data to iterate on existing courses.
• Learning Support Materials: Created facilitator guides, participant guides, and job aids to support SME-led and self-paced learning.

Learning Experience Researcher

Carnegie Mellon University, Personalized Learning Squared — Pittsburgh, PA

• Learning Content Creation: Developed scenario-based eLearning onboarding content that provides bite-sized training to over 500 tutors.
• Learning Product Design: Designed and built an AI/LLM-based content generation web app using RAG technology to customize scenario-based training content, which customizes training content based on the user's uploaded PDF and learning objectives.
• Research and Publication: Designed and implemented user testing and participated in the full research cycle of testing for effectiveness of the tool, from the IRB process to final publishing of the paper.

Project Research Lead

Varsity Tutors — St. Louis, MO

• Tool Development: Developed an LLM-powered learning dashboard that automates tutoring session evaluation and generates summary reports for audio recordings.
• User Testing: Facilitated regular check-ins and 3 rounds of user research with SMEs, expert staff, and students to gather feedback and align on final design. Developed prototypes and presentations on an MVP-based cycle.
• User Onboarding: Created an onboarding guide, delivered training documentation and troubleshooting support, and developed Articulate 360 courses for the newly developed tool.

Master's in Educational Technology and Applied Learning Science

Carnegie Mellon University — GPA: 3.87/4.0

Bachelor of Science in Psychology, Minor in Data Science

Macalester College — GPA: 3.85/4.0