The San José State University School of Information is proud to introduce its newest faculty members, Yu Chi and Crystal Fausett, who, as assistant professors, will start teaching undergraduate students enrolled in the Bachelor of Science in Information Science and Data Analytics hybrid program starting in the fall of 2024 semester.

The appointment of Chi as its newest faculty member enriches the SJSU iSchool with a deep reservoir of knowledge and expertise. With a strong background in human-data interaction, health informatics, and the societal impacts of human-centered technologies, Chi is poised to make significant contributions to the university.

Chi’s research interests lie at the dynamic intersection of human-data interaction and its profound societal implications. Her journey in the field reflects a deep passion for leveraging technology to address diverse human information needs, enhance health and well-being, inform behaviors, and advance data literacy. Proficient in employing mixed-method approaches, Chi is dedicated to answering “how” and “why” research questions to drive impactful change.

Before joining the SJSU iSchool faculty, Chi earned her Ph.D. in Library and Information Science from the University of Pittsburgh, solidifying her foundation in the field. Subsequently, she served as an assistant professor at the University of Kentucky for three years, where she honed her skills and expertise.

The hiring of Fausett brings the SJSU iSchool’s faculty a wealth of expertise in technology interaction. Fausett’s research interests span diverse users, ranging from healthcare patients and paramedics to cyber network defenders and combat officers. Focusing on understanding how these different groups find and utilize information, Fausett aims to enhance the efficiency and safety of the systems they operate within.

Before pursuing her Ph.D. in Human Factors at Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University, Fausett graduated from San José State University with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Psychology and a minor in Applied Computing for Behavioral and Social Sciences. As a former member of research labs in the psychology department and a former supplemental instructor with Peer Connections, Fausett’s return to Silicon Valley marks a full circle moment in her academic journey.

Fausett’s dissertation focuses on transactive memory systems within teams, exploring how groups collectively encode, store, and retrieve knowledge. Her research delves into metamemory about who knows what within the group and processes for retrieving that knowledge through communication and coordination.

Outside of her academic pursuits, Fausett enjoys tackling the daily New York Times puzzles, scaling walls at a climbing gym, and relaxing with video games like Animal Crossing. She is also an avid reader, with recent obsessions including “Crying in H Mart” by Michelle Zauner and “Tomorrow, Tomorrow, and Tomorrow” by Gabrielle Zevin.