Senior UX Researcher · Human Factors Specialist

I study people in motion—and turn complexity into confident decisions.

I’m Alyssa Bautista, a researcher with 10+ years shaping automotive and digital experiences across Audi, Porsche, Google, Volkswagen, and Mercedes-Benz.

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Case studies

Research built for consequential decisions.

Explore the decisions, methods, evidence, tradeoffs, and influence behind selected research programs.

ADAS · Human factors

Making automation legible in motion

Researching how drivers notice, interpret, and respond to assisted-driving states while attention is divided and the environment keeps changing.

The question

How might an interface communicate system capability and responsibility without adding cognitive load?

The approach

On-road and controlled concept evaluations, behavioral observation, task-based measures, mental-model probes, and post-drive interviews.

The influence

Actionable HMI direction for clearer mode awareness, better trust calibration, and safer driver–system coordination.

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Future case study

Your next research story

A flexible space for another project that demonstrates a different dimension of your research leadership, judgment, and impact.

The question

What consequential decision did this research help a team make?

The approach

Choose the methods, evidence, and collaboration story that best reveal how you think.

The influence

Show what changed for the product, team, strategy, or organization because of your work.

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Digital commerce · Journey research

Designing confidence into complex decisions

Uncovering the information, reassurance, and handoffs people need when high-consideration experiences move between digital and physical channels.

The question

Where does uncertainty interrupt a customer’s path from exploration to commitment?

The approach

Generative interviews, journey mapping, usability testing, competitive analysis, and cross-functional workshops.

The influence

A sharper view of customer friction and opportunity areas spanning product, content, service, and retail touchpoints.

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How I work

“The best research doesn’t simply report what happened. It helps a team see the decision differently.”

Start with the decision

I align teams on what must be learned, what can change, and what evidence will create confidence before choosing a method.

Study behavior in context

I pair what people say with what they notice, understand, and do—especially in dynamic, safety-critical environments.

Make evidence travel

I translate complexity into memorable frameworks and crisp implications that product, design, engineering, and leadership can use.

Capabilities

Rigor, range, and a strong point of view.

Research strategyIn-vehicle studiesUsability testingContextual inquiryMental model researchMixed-methods synthesisConcept evaluationExecutive storytelling

Experience

A career spent understanding what technology asks of people.

Audi of America

Senior Human Factors / UX Researcher

ADAS & Autonomous Drive · 2022—Present

Porsche Digital

UX Research & Strategy

Digital mobility experiences · 2020—2021

AnswerLab

Qualitative UX Researcher

Research consultancy supporting Google · 2019—2020

Volkswagen

Design Researcher

Future mobility & autonomous experiences

Mercedes-Benz

UX Researcher

Connected vehicle experiences

Education

Bentley University

M.S. Candidate · Human Factors in Information Design

University of California, Berkeley

B.A. · Sociology & Anthropology

Let’s connect

Looking for a research leader who can make the complex clear?

I bring deep human-factors judgment, hands-on research craft, and the executive storytelling to move teams from evidence to action.

Start a conversation on LinkedIn