Manami Nakagawa Bunbun

Profile CV (Updated on June 2026)

Manami is an incoming PhD student in the Department of Computer Science at University of California, Santa Barbara, where she is advised by Prof. Misha Sra. Her research lies at the intersection of Human-Computer Interaction (HCI) and AI, with a particular interest in how AI can go beyond efficiency to meaningfully shape how people communicate, collaborate, and interact with one another and with AI.

Previously, she received an MSc in Computer Science from University of California, Davis, and a BSc in Computer Science from University of Bristol. She also gained research experience through internships at OMRON SINIC X and SB Intuitions.

She is always happy to connect with researchers, students, and potential collaborators.

Publication

UbiLearn Project Image

UbiLearn: ACM MobileHCI 2025 Supporting English-as-a-Foreign-Language Learners in Reflecting on Conversations Using a Smartwatch

Riku Arakawa, Manami Nakagawa, Hiromu Yakura

DOI Japanese Blog
LAPPI Project Image

LAPPI: IEEE Access 2026 Interactive Optimization with LLM-Assisted Preference-Based Problem Instantiation

So Kuroki, Manami Nakagawa, Shigeo Yoshida, Yuki Koyama, Tadashi Kozuno

DOI Project Page Video

Projects

Pointfo Project Image

Pointfo

Mar-Apr 2024

Displaying information on paintings with a pointing motion to lower the hurdle for information recognition.

Vinterview Project Image

Vinterview

Mar-Sep 2023

An application that allows users to engage in mock interviews with avatars, with customizable scenarios including social pressure levels

Demo App (no longer managed) Product Hunt
AI-Checker Project Image

AI checker

May 2022

A feature that quantifies the condition of damages on products listed on a flea market app, providing an objective indicator for buyers

Presentation Slide Github (Demo in README)
MITOU JR Image

MITOU Jr

May - Oct 2017

An application designed to streamline communication within educational settings

Project

Experience

SB Intuitions Corp. — HCI Research Intern Jul - Sep 2026
SB Intuitions Corp. — HCI Research Intern Oct - Dec 2025
OMRON SINIC X, Corp. — HCI Research Intern Jun - Sep 2025
The University of Tokyo, OMRON SINIC X, Corp. — Visiting Researcher Jun - Aug 2024
OMRON SINIC X, Corp. — HCI Research Intern Apr - Sep 2023
Google STEP — Student Training in Engineering Program May - Jun 2023
Souzoh, Inc., Mercari group — Software Engineering Intern   Blog Aug - Sep 2022
Matsuo Institute, Inc., Matsuo Lab, The University of Tokyo — Software Engineering Intern Jun - Sep 2022
Planning Inspectorate, Wales government, UK — Team Project in Collaboration with Industry Oct 2021 - June 2022
MITOU Jr. 2017

Talk & Blog

  • Around Humans and Computers (Japanese)   PIS Lab Seminar Nov 2025
  • 3 waves of HCI (Japanese)   note Dec 2023
  • AIST Creative HCI Seminar #4   Archive Jun 2023

Awards & Achievements

  • Best user interview award at a Hackathon(100Program) Mar 2023
  • Best Prize at 1week Hackathon(Build@Mercari2022) May 2022
  • The Physical Society of Japan Jr Mar 2018
  • ELCAS(Experienced-based Learning Course for Advanced Science) – Kyoto University Oct - Jan 2018