Hi, I’m Kirby Peterman! I am an Austin-based product designer currently working to reimagine the patient experience in decentralized clinical trials.
Ask me about my dog Mackey (and two cats, Cashew and Stan) any time.
I have a deep interest in improving healthcare delivery and health outcomes. I care a lot about health care access and strongly believe in the power of the human-centered design process in making positive changes in the lived experiences of populations.
With two bachelor’s degrees in neuroscience and psychology, I started my career in neuropsychology research, focused on cognitive processing, health behaviors and the experience of body image. I was originally drawn to product design for its blend of my love for research with my fascination for how effective experiences impact lives. I feel confident that product designers can make incredible changes for the health of people. We have a responsibility to remove judgment, remain ethical, and improve the way technology responds to the values and needs of humans.
I love the ability to think high-level and work all the way down into the weeds, partnering with engineering and product managers through it all. Thoughtfully working through ambiguity to find that sweet spot between business needs and user needs is the most fun job in the world and that is why I love what I do.
I also love to learn. I graduated with my M.S. in Health Communication Design from Thomas Jefferson University in May 2023, a program in which I have been able to truly act on my passions and expand my worldview of health, well-being and the power of design.
Still, I continue to have a long list of skills I want to grow and I am eager to keep my learning rate high in my job but I also look to those who have been doing amazing things in the industry to get inspired. Check out this talk from the 2021 Health Experience Design conference by Jen Briselli that has been a continuous inspiration for considering the human experience in science communication. (The video is 20 minutes long, but worth the time!)