2024 — now
M.Sc. Computer Science · TU Darmstadt
Thesis (in progress): Computational Deceptive Design: Personalising Dark Patterns at Runtime with Large Language Models
About
Hi, I'm Yara, a computer science student in Darmstadt working at the intersection of human–computer interaction and AI, in particular on how technology can cause harm and on the psychological effects it has on the people using it. Away from the screen I'm usually making something with my hands: knitting, crocheting, crafting, painting, or cooking and baking. I go bouldering in the gym, climb on real rock when on holiday, and enjoy playing co-op games on the PC with my husband and friends.
Education
2020 — 2024
B.Sc. Computer Science · TU Darmstadt
Thesis: Measuring the Sense of Presence in Virtual Reality by Analysing Skin Conductance Data While Inducing Fear
Research Projects
2026
Redirection in Extended Reality: A Systematic Literature Review of Imperceptible Perceptual Manipulations
Seminar paper
2025
AI Agents with Personality in Augmented Reality
University project
Built the first prototype of an AI agent with its own character, appearing via text, audio or a user-chosen avatar.
Co-author of the resulting paper with user study, expected 2027.
2023
Measuring the Sense of Presence in Virtual Reality by Analysing Skin Conductance Data While Inducing Fear
Seminar paper
Literature review preparing my bachelor's thesis of the same name.
Experience
2022 — now
Tutor & Teaching Assistant · Computer Science, TU Darmstadt
Teaching assistant for Interactions in Virtual and Augmented Realities and Human–Computer Interaction; tutor for Software Engineering.
2024
Student Research Assistant · HCI Lab, TU Darmstadt
Planned and conducted a user study.
2021 — 2022
Mentor · Computer Science, TU Darmstadt
Mentor for first-semester students, including my own workshops.
Other Projects
2024
Language Server for a New Programming Language
University project
2023
Web Application for Digital Product Passports
Team project
Python web app with role management; I built the dashboard in JavaScript.
Skills
Research
Human–Computer Interaction · Augmented & Virtual Reality · user studies · prototyping · physiological measures (skin conductance) · deceptive design · systematic literature reviews
Programming
C# / Unity · Python · Java · JavaScript
Teaching
Tutoring · workshop design · mentoring
Languages
German (native) · English (fluent)
Certifications
2026
Mental Health First Aider (MHFA)
Central Institute of Mental Health, Mannheim
12-hour course on recognizing mental health crises and guiding people toward support.
Volunteering
2026
Demo Volunteer · CHI 2026
Helped present the live demo of ShadAR (CHI EA '26).
2021 — 2023
Youth Group Leader
Group leader for children aged 9 to 15.
2017 — 2022
Private Tutor
Tutoring for students aged 12 to 15.