Marina Varela

Marina Varela has extensive work experience in the field of User Research and UX Design. Marina is currently working as a Lead User Researcher at Alma since November 2021. Prior to that, they worked as a User Researcher at Octopia from August 2021 to November 2021, where they provided support to Product Managers and Owners in understanding user needs and conducted user research activities.

Before that, Marina worked at BNP Paribas Fortis as a UX Lead/Researcher from June 2020 to September 2021. Marina also gained experience in user testing at Testapic in June 2020. Marina has held various UX Lead positions at companies like Publicis Sapient, Ditto Bank, and Le Groupe La Poste, where they demonstrated their expertise in leading UX projects.

In addition, Marina worked as a User Researcher at Doctolib in October 2019 and as a Senior UX Designer at Le Groupe La Poste from January 2019 to April 2019. Marina started their career as a UX Lead at Publicis Sapient in January 2018.

Prior to their work in the field of UX, Marina worked as a UX Designer at Rakuten France from July 2017 to December 2017. Overall, Marina Varela has a diverse and extensive background in User Research and UX Design, with a focus on leading and conducting user-centered design projects.

Marina Varela obtained their Baccalauréat from Gymnasium Marienberg in Neuss, Germany from 1991 to 2004. Marina then earned a Bachelor's degree in Digital Media Design from Berufskolleg Kartäuserwall Köln from 2004 to 2006. Marina continued their education and obtained a Master's degree in Industrial and Product Design from Aachen University of Applied Sciences - FH Aachen between 2006 and 2010. Additionally, they completed a semester of studies abroad in Industrial and Product Design at Ravensbourne University London in 2009. Recently, in 2019, Marina pursued a User Research specialization in Pedagogical Evaluation and Research from Le Laptop. Marina has also obtained several certifications, including "Tests Utilisateurs à distance - Niveau 1" from Testapic in 2020 and "Communicate Your Ideas Through Storytelling and Design," "Improve Your Presentation Skills," and "Speak in Public" certifications from OpenClassrooms in 2022.