Driving Change Through Human-Computer Interaction

Even before Karla Badillo-Urquiola ’14 ’15MS collected her third degree from UCF, the modeling and simulation doctoral student already had a job lined up. She began her career as a tenure-track assistant professor in the Department of Computer Science and Engineering at the University of Notre Dame — a status shared by less than 1% of Latinas in the computing workforce. As part of the job, she also serves as a fellow of Notre Dame’s Lucy Family Institute for Data and Society, where she continues her current research and collaborates with the community to build better futures for youth.

“My dream has always been to be a driving force in society for change and make a positive difference in someone else’s life,” she says. “UCF has provided me not only the tools to make this dream come true, but also the opportunities to use my tools and skillsets to make these impacts.”

Badillo-Urquiola conducts human-computer interaction research to create solutions that can assist young people in navigating the risks experienced in online communities and to help protect the well-being of youth and marginalized communities. She has also been active in the community working hard to prevent human trafficking. Her doctoral dissertation, which was funded by the William T. Grant Foundation and the U.S. National Science Foundation, investigated the different levels of social support teens in foster care receive to help them navigate their online experiences and safety. More than 40 people from around the world (virtual and in-person) attended her defense which led her to receive the Graduate Dean’s Dissertation Completion Fellowship, a testament to her meaningful work. She is passionate about her work because it is personal.

The daughter of immigrants from Cuba and Mexico, Badillo-Urquiola’s life wasn’t always easy. Her family made many sacrifices to give her the privilege of an education, she says. Badillo-Urquiola saw family members experience discrimination and during her childhood, she lived through divorces and witnessed domestic violence.

“The stories of my family are reminders to me that no matter what happens in this world, no one can take away your education — the knowledge that you’ve acquired,” she says. “Having a strong community helped me overcome my childhood traumas, therefore studying how we can build online communities and supports for youth is important to me.”

As a mother of two, she says she’s even more determined to protect all young people. She knows her children look to her as a role model.

“Providing a better future for my daughters motivates me to push boundaries and not be afraid to be bold,” she says.

During her time at UCF, Badillo-Urquiola also earned a bachelor’s in psychology and master’s in modeling and simulation from the university, and received numerous awards and accolades for her research and involvement. In addition to receiving the Graduate Dean’s Dissertation Completion Fellowship, she is also an Order of Pegasus member, McKnight Doctoral fellow, and was named a McNair Scholar during her undergraduate work.

The modeling and simulation Ph.D. graduate credits her success to the interdisciplinary nature of her program, the support she received at the university, and the Ronald E. McNair Scholars program, all of which afforded her opportunities that shaped her experience.

• Order of Pegasus recipient (2020)
• McKnight Doctoral Fellow
• McNair Scholar
• Outstanding Student Leader – Women’s History Month 2017
• Graduate research assistant at the Socio-Technical Interaction Research (STIR) Lab