Kath Straub

Kath Straub is an experienced leader in user and customer research, currently serving as Director at Bold Insight since October 2022 and as Principal at usability.org since May 2009. Previously, Kath held the Director role for the UX Research Group at Optum, focusing on team growth and transformation, and conducted cognitive systems engineering research at The Johns Hopkins University Applied Physics Laboratory. Earlier positions include Agile-UX Strategist at Agile6, Chief Usability Engineer at SAIC, and Chief Scientist/Executive Director at Human Factors International. Kath has also contributed to academia as an instructor at several institutions, including the Johns Hopkins Whiting School of Engineering and Stevenson University, teaching courses in psychology and cognitive systems. Holding a PhD in Brain and Cognitive Sciences from the University of Rochester and a BA in Psychology from The Johns Hopkins University, Kath has received multiple awards for innovative instruction and curriculum development.