Olzhas Yessenbayev

Olzhas Yessenbayev is a Ph.D. student in Information Science at Cornell University. His research passion lies at the intersection of cognitive sciences and HCI, with an emphasis on leveraging cognitive and biological affordances to elevate health technology design. In terms of sensing, he is dedicated to understanding the capacity of passively sensed markers to accurately model and predict our cognitive states. In terms of behavior change, he explores ways to modulate these cognitive states by engaging with semi-voluntary physiological mechanisms seamlessly, through creation of subtle interfaces. For instance, he has incorporated feedback into video-watching experiences to subtly guide eating rates, and used peripheral vision as an avenue of sensory input processed almost automatically by another such interface. These methods aim to craft interventions that seamlessly integrate with users' natural behaviors, fostering effective yet unobtrusive behavior modifications. He is currently under the guidance of Professor Rajalkshmi Nandakumar at Cornell.

Areas of Interest: HCI, Mobile Sensing, Health, Cognitive Sciences, Affective Computing