How Identifying Information Overload Led to a Paradigm Shift in SaaS AI for Cancer Research
Overview
Timestamp
2021 – A project to redesign Pomicell's whiteboard, an AI-powered SaaS platform for biomedical researchers.
Summary
In 2021, I redesigned a whiteboard tool for Pomicell, a startup focused on personalized cancer research. The tool aimed to accelerate research but failed to clarify or contextualize solutions, contributing to information overload. Through user research, I uncovered a hidden pain point: researchers were overwhelmed by the vast volume of data, leading to reliance on familiar but less innovative methods. I proposed a paradigm shift, replacing open-ended diagrams with AI-driven probability modeling for upregulation and downregulation. The redesign introduced intuitive visualization techniques, prioritized insights, and streamlined workflows, making the platform more actionable. Despite abrupt project halts due to startup challenges, the lessons learned shaped my approach to designing scalable solutions, balancing quick wins with long-term innovation.
My Role
I was the Senior Product Designer and sole UX lead for this project. I worked closely with the CEO, CTO, and an AI development team to define and implement the platform's new direction. My responsibilities included conducting a UX audit, leading user interviews, performing competitor analysis, and developing an iterative design solution.
Tools and Techniques Used:
User Research: Stakeholder interviews, cultural mapping, and discovery sessions.
Design: Figma for prototyping, advanced information visualization, and relevance scoring.
Collaboration: Agile teamwork with developers and stakeholders.
Case Study Details
The Initial Challenge
Pomicell's whiteboard allowed researchers to create diagrams inspired by researchers' hand drawn diagrams, but lacked critical features to clarify, prioritize, or contextualize data for cancer treatment research. Instead of facilitating insights, it contributed to information overload, impeding researchers' ability to accelerate the research process, as intended.
The Discovery: Information Overload
User interviews revealed a hidden pain point: researchers struggled to process the overwhelming volume of available data. This led to a tendency to stick to familiar methodologies, hindering innovation. I identified that addressing this issue could vastly improve the tool's effectiveness in expediting research.
The Paradigm Shift
Reframing the Problem:
I proposed shifting from open-ended diagrams to probability modeling for upregulation (increased gene activity) and downregulation (reduced gene activity). This approach prioritized actionable insights rather than replicating cellular maps.
Solution Highlights:
Grading and Prioritizing Data: Visual relevance scoring highlighted impactful studies and pathways.
Data-Driven Pathway Insights: The new design emphasized modeling probabilities, making complex relationships more intuitive.
Streamlined AI Recommendations: Contextual suggestions reduced cognitive load and enhanced navigation.
The Lessons Learned
Resilience in the Face of Startup Challenges:
Despite a promising redesign, startup difficulties led to the project being scaled down. The experience taught me to balance innovation with pragmatic solutions.
Dual-Path Strategy:
I now adopt a dual-path approach, offering quick-win solutions for immediate value alongside long-term visions to support sustained growth.
Closing and Takeaways
This project highlighted the importance of uncovering hidden user pain points, balancing ambition with feasibility, and leveraging information visualization to simplify complexity. For designers, it's a reminder to adapt, iterate, and advocate for immediate and future-focused solutions.
Wireframing & Prototyping
Designs Insights:
Developing an intuitive method for navigating, visualizing, and modeling the process of determining potential treatment pathways and incorporating elements that gamify the user experience.
See inspiration
Result
The UX-driven paradigm-shift redefined the platform, facilitating navigation, visualization, and modeling of potential treatment pathways in the context of customized care. The result was a seamless integration of the iterative process of refining and detailing treatment paths, gamifying the user experience, and encouraging continued engagement.
On a personal note
During the development of the clickable demo, the company encountered significant challenges, culminating in the replacement of its CEO. Even though the ambitious solution I designed was celebrated by the founders, the project was scaled down to a more modest dashboard, retaining key elements such as grading mechanisms and gamification features to support the research process. Unfortunately, the company ceased operations later on.
This experience is a common reality in the startup ecosystem. Witnessing the departure of a CEO who championed and supported an innovative vision was deeply disheartening. However, it offered a valuable lesson in balancing ambition with pragmatism.
Since then, I’ve adopted a dual-path strategy in my approach to design leadership: delivering quick-win solutions for immediate value while envisioning long-term strategies that sustain innovation. This approach equips startups to remain agile, adapt effectively, and evolve incrementally, building resilience in an unpredictable and competitive landscape.