Hi, I’m Joel
I’m a UX researcher and learning designer specializing in digital health and behavior change across healthcare, agriculture, community health, and education settings.
My path into UX research began as a nutrition student at Texas State University, conducting patient enrollment protocols and administering food frequency questionnaires for women, infants, and children enrolled in the WIC, food and nutrition assistance program.
I later analyzed patient tube-feeding data from electronic medical records at The University of Kansas Medical Center as part of my Master’s of Science and Dietetic Internship, identifying trends in clinical adherence to the ASPEN guidelines for the introduction of enteral nutrition in post-operative patients.
These early exposures to mixed-methods research, working directly with patient data, and analyzing impacts on people’s lived experiences, sparked a lasting curiosity about how research can improve lives.
Over time, my curiosity evolved, and I became focused UX research and user-centered design.
In my role leading nutrition, graphics, and community impact teams at the BC Dairy Association, I led UX research and developed behavior-based health education programs for provincial food and agriculture initiatives. This work informed the creation of scalable learning resources, reaching thousands of students and educators across British Columbia.
Alongside this work, I founded The Culinard Teaching Co., where I design and study innovative Culinary Medicine programming across North America. Through partnerships with healthcare organizations, academic institutions, and community programs, I explore how experiential cooking education can improve nutrition confidence, patient engagement, and health behaviors.
Across my work, I focus on translating complex challenges in food and health into user-centered experiences grounded in equity, accessibility, and inclusivity. As a Registered Dietitian and professionally trained chef with international experience, I bring an interdisciplinary perspective to UX research and learning design.