About Me

As an internet-era kid, I’ve always been fascinated by how people interact with technology. That curiosity led me to a PhD in Human Computer Interaction and more than a decade of research and design work. I connect the big picture with the details that define meaningful user experiences. At my core, I’m a builder—driven by uncovering insights that shape the foundations of 0-to-1 products.

At Natera, I lead a multidisciplinary team developing tools that accelerate scientific discovery, streamline test processing, and enhance patient engagement.

Beyond my day job, I’m passionate about advancing women’s health through HCI. As a Dealflow Fellow at AthenaDAO, I help set research priorities and guide funding strategy for women’s health initiatives within the Science & Deal Flow Working Group.

UX Research Philosophy

I believe in rapid research with a bias toward action. I blend qualitative and quantitative methods to shape seamless user experiences. I thrive in ambiguity, moving quickly and adapting with rigor to bring clarity and impact.

Guiding Principles

  • Human-centered: People drive every insight

  • Data-informed: Qualitative depth meets quantitative scale

  • Impact-driven: Research translates to action

  • Rapid and iterative: Test, learn, adapt fast

  • Systems thinking: Connect the big picture to the details

Feel free to get in touch at sainz.nag@gmail.com or find me on LinkedIn.

 

Experience

Senior UX Research Manager, Natera —

San Francisco, CA

2025 – Present

 

Senior UX Researcher, Natera —

San Francisco, CA

2021 – 2025

 

Part-time Lecturer,

University of Cincinnati —

Cincinnati, OH

2023

 

UX Researcher, Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Research Center —

Cincinnati, OH

2019 – 2021

 

  • Established the research practice for genomic lab software, introducing mixed-methods frameworks that combined ethnography, workflow shadowing, surveys, and quantitative validation.

  • Partnered with product and science teams to translate user insights into actionable product requirements that shaped roadmap priorities.

  • Led studies that informed the design of new lab tools, resulting in 15% faster turnaround time (TAT) and 50% improvement in staff efficiency.

  • Mentored a team of researchers and designers.

 

Led 0-to-1 discovery research that informed the design and launch of Natera’s first patient portal, from initial need-finding to product adoption.

  • Conducted in-depth interviews, workflow analysis, and survey validation, synthesizing insights into strategic share-outs that shaped the product vision.

  • Drove research initiatives that reduced patient support call volume by 30%, directly improving efficiency and patient experience.

  • Delivered executive-level insights that influenced roadmap prioritization and investment decisions across patient engagement products.

 

  • Taught HCI I, integrating research methods into student projects.

  • Supervised mixed-methods coursework emphasizing evaluation, prototyping, and user testing.

 

  • Led UX research across multiple NIH- and PCORI-funded projects, including Cystic Fibrosis Association (CF), Rare Disease Research Network (RDRN), and Patient-Centered Outcomes Research Institute initiatives.

  • Designed and executed mixed-methods studies that informed the development of digital tools supporting scientific discovery, clinical workflows, and patient engagement.

 
 
 

Education

2020 - 2025

 
 

PhD in Human-Computer Interaction

University of Cincinnati — Cincinnati, OH

Dissertation: HCI for Women’s Health: Digital Interventions for Navigating Menopause.