Research Areas

AI for Developer Productivity & Well-Being

Investigating how AI-driven tools and social norms shape developers’ lived experiences, and designing systems that balance efficiency and psychological well-being.

Full Paper: Impact of Co-Presence Collaboration Practices on Developers with ADHD

Method: Qualitative analysis, interviews
Venue: ACM CSCW

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Explores how software engineers with ADHD utilize co-presence practices (body doubling and pair programming) to manage cognitive demands. We map these experiences to co-presence theory and provide design recommendations for AI tools that support inclusive workplace collaboration.

Publication coming soon! Read more →

Full Paper: Good Vibrations? A Qualitative Study of Co-Creation, Communication, Flow, and Trust in Vibe Coding

Method: Qualitative analysis, interviews
Venue: ACM TOSEM, Microsoft Research News

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Investigates "vibe coding"—an emerging natural language programming paradigm prioritizing flow and experimentation over strict specification. We examine how AI trust influences developer delegation vs. co-creation and surface key trade-offs in reliability, debugging, and collaboration.

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Short Paper: Generative Design and Vibe Coding, Rethinking the Design-Development Divide for UI Prototyping

Method: Interviews, participatory design
Venue: ACM CHI 2026, Microsoft Research News

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Evaluates a 60-minute designathon at CHI 2026 where 100+ attendees built and deployed websites using generative tools like V0 and Lovable. We analyze how generative AI blends traditional design and development workflows into a single prototyping process.

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Supporting Neurodivergent Professionals

Understanding how professionals with ADHD and chronic illness experience their workplaces and creating inclusive practices to better support them.

Full Paper: Leveling the Playing Field, Temporal Video Segmentation for Individuals with ADHD in Computing Education

Method: Mixed Methods analysis
Venue: ACM ASSETS 2026

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Evaluates a post-hoc video processing system that chunks instructional videos into single steps with fixed pauses to lower cognitive load. A study with 27 participants showed that the intervention significantly reduced errors and hesitations for learners with ADHD.

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Short Paper: Reflections and Recommendations on AI Adoption Practice from a Mixed-Ability Research Group

Method: Qualitative analysis, interviews
Venue: ACM ASSETS 2026

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Reflects on how a 5-member mixed-ability research team adopts generative AI in daily academic workflows. We present recommendations for balanced AI adoption that respects disability identity, manages disability tax, and preserves researcher agency.

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Short Paper: A Longitudinal Autoethnography of Email Access for a Professional with Chronic Illness and ADHD

Method: Qualitative analysis, interviews
Venue: ACM ASSETS 2025

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Presents preliminary insights from a 14-year autoethnography examining workplace communication barriers for a professional with ADHD and chronic illness. Introduces "Mail++", a customized workflow for managing executive function challenges and health flares.

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Feel free to email me (pimenova at umich dot edu) with questions on any of my projects or ongoing work!