Shani C Spivak
My research lies at the intersection of data visualization, AI evaluation, and AI ethics. I develop methods to identify, surface, and characterize LLM errors in data visualization tasks. My recent work includes a taxonomy of LLM errors and an interview study of data workers on their use of LLMs.
Who I Am
I'm a PhD candidate in Computer Science at Northeastern University, advised by Dr. Melanie Tory (More about Melanie). My research sits at the intersection of AI, Ethics and Data Visualization.
Before starting my PhD, I got my B.S. in Electrical Engineering from Boston University and an MBA from NYU.
Projects
Here are some of the projects I'm currently working on...
AUXEL
A natural language interface (NLI) to improve the accessibility of complex data tasks for blind or visually-impaired (BLV) STEM users. This research project supports the goal of increasing accessibility of spreadsheet data to BLV STEM data professionals and scientists.
Visualizing People's Mental Models of AI
Investigating how how people conceptualize AI systems working. Through a series of workshops and surveys, participants visualize and build physicalizations of their “folk algorithms” or ”folk theories” about AI.
Surfacing LLM Errors: Can Visualizations Help Users Identify LLM Errors?
Using four different code visualization techniques in a user study, we explore whether these visualizations help participants identify errors in LLM-produced code.
IEEE VIS 2026 OPC Assistant
Providing logistical, operational, and organizational support to the IEEE VIS Overall Paper Chairs.
Selected Research
Let's Connect
Maggie
This is Maggie, she takes up most of my couch and camera roll.