Graduate Student Instructor
About
Hi everyone!
I’m Sophie Stenroos (she/her), one of your GSIs for ALA 210. I’m also the Global Engagement Coordinator and a first-year master’s student at the School of Information, focusing on UX/UI.
I was born in Wuhan, China, and grew up in the greater Cleveland area in Ohio. I did my undergrad at the University of Michigan, earning a B.S. in Psychology with a minor in Biological Anthropology. I graduated in 2023 from the Residential College (RC) learning community and had the joy of playing trumpet in the Michigan Marching Band for four years.
I’ve been fortunate to travel, research, and work globally in multiple fields. My adventures have taken me to the remote Peruvian Amazon as a wildlife research assistant, where I encountered jaguars, anacondas, and more. My transition into information science allowed me to collaborate with students from the Malawi University of Science and Technology, where I gathered data at local orthopedic wards. This work helped inform culturally relevant biomedical design solutions for students at the College of Engineering. Over the past year, I’ve also been working at a tech startup, where I’ve contributed to the development of food delivery robots now operating in Austin and Atlanta. Currently, I’m using my UX/UI expertise to assist a vet tech I met in Peru with her nonprofit, which focuses on jaguar education and awareness.
With my diverse experiences, I’m excited to be a resource for you, whether it’s mentoring, guiding your projects, or simply being someone to chat with. I’m committed to fostering an inclusive and supportive environment for all of you!
Outside of academics, I’m an avid foodie and baker, specializing in Asian fusion desserts for my pop-up events. I also have two cats, Loki and Milo, who keep things interesting! I’m looking forward to getting to know each of you and can’t wait to see how your projects unfold!
