About
Anna de los Santos
UXR Manager · San Diego, CAI've always been drawn to the question of why people do what they do — a curiosity that led me to a Master's in Psychology and Digital Mental Health from Palo Alto University, and eventually into UX research.
My career took a formative turn at the National Center for PTSD, where I worked at the intersection of clinical research and product design. That's where I saw, firsthand, how the wrong interface at the wrong moment could fail someone who needed help. And how the right one — clear, accessible, forgiving — could genuinely be a lifeline.
Since then, I've focused on applying Cognitive Load Theory and inclusive design principles to strip complexity out of digital products — mental health apps, enterprise software, and learning platforms. I care especially about users who are most likely to be left out: neurodivergent people, ESL users, and anyone navigating high-stress situations.
Right now I'm doing that work at Keelworks, where I recently transitioned from UX Researcher to UXR Manager — overseeing a team of four researchers focused on building more intuitive, inclusive systems. When I'm not mid-synthesis, you'll find me working on my swing at Torrey Pines, walking along the beach in San Diego, or keeping my cat Croissant company.