Hi, I am Isabella.

I’m Isabella, a psychologist by training and a computing scientist by trade. I am PhD candidate in the Human-Centered Computing group at the Department of Information and Computing Sciences at Utrecht University.  

I work at the intersection of human behavior and technology. My PhD focuses on using AI to support groups of students working together. I research ways to improve group wellbeing among students using AI, focusing on detecting issues as soon as they arise, empowering teachers to support them, and ensuring students feel continually supported throughout their projects. Overall, I am interested in how education is change and will change with the development of AI technologies, and what this means for educator. You can read some of my thoughts in this column, published for the DUB journal, the news site of Utrecht University. 

With a background in psychology, I’m passionate about understanding how we interact with machines in our everyday lives, especially regarding social and emotional support. 

I’m also interested in using persuasive technologies to foster positive behavior changes, mixing insights from positive psychology and computer science to create meaningful, user-centered solutions. By combining positive psychology with computer science, I am passionate about designing tools and systems that can empower people and improve well-being. 

Alongside my research, I am passionate about good books, writing short stories, and contemporary dance.