About Me

Hello, I am Sufiana Safiena.

I create cool practical things, and I have an obsession of making things look perfect .

When I am not managing projects, you will find me connecting with interesting people who have got their own unique story to tell. I am a bit of a social butterfly (okay, a lot of one), and I genuinely believe the best work happens when people feel connected and supported.

As a self-taught graphic designer and frontend web developer, I have got a keen eye for design and a bit of an obsession with getting things just right. I am that person who will zoom in to check pixel alignment, colour-code my files into perfectly labelled folders, and would not rest until everything is exactly where it should be. Do not let that fool you though! I know how to have a laugh and keep things light. Work should be fun, even when we are being serious about creating something brilliant.

I bring energy, empathy, and a growth mindset to everything I do. As a true ENFJ, I am all about taking charge, connecting with people, and turning big ideas into reality. I am the type who will grab coffee with you to talk through a tricky problem, celebrate the wins, and make sure everyone feels heard.

When I am not designing or coding, I am probably testing out a new restaurant, getting lost in a gripping mystery novel, or adding to my stationery collection (yes, different pens really do feel different, and I will defend that hill). Currently looking for my next challenge where I can bring my project management skills, design chops, and people-first approach to a team that values both quality and genuine human connection.

Work Experience

Research Associate (Learning and Development)

Department of the Built Environment, National University of Singapore | Mar 2024 — Present

Leadership and Project Management

Lead 3 nationally funded research projects (S$900,000+), coordinating 10 researchers and achieving 100% compliance on all milestones
Serve as Research Unit Coordinator, overseeing operational workflows, resource allocation, and cross-project coordination across multiple teams
Coordinate 5 adaptive and self-regulated learning pilots, securing IRB approvals, and managing stakeholder expectations across teams
Appointed as departmental Safety and Health Representative, conducting inspections, and ensuring full compliance with workplace safety regulations

Industry Recognition

Delivered keynoted presentation at Panopto Innovate Asia 2025, sharing practical insights on blended and online teaching methodologies to local and international EdTech audience
Published peer-reviewed papers in high-impact journals, presenting at international conferences and translating research into industry insights
Produce branded materials for showcase events, driving cross-unit collaboration and raising institutional awareness of innovative learning solutions

Instructional Design and Learning Innovation

Deliver blended and online project management training courses to construction professionals, designing curriculum and facilitating engaging learning experiences that bridge theory with industry practice
Conduct Design for Safety (DfS) training using digital game-based learning, improving knowledge retention and practical application for construction industry professionals
Design and execute experimental studies with 300+ adult learners, delivering high-quality data for evidence-based design improvements
Develop 20+ workflows, rubrics, and assessments grounded in adult learning principles, driving measurable improvements in completion rates
Integrate learning content into Canvas LMS, optimising navigation, retention, and accessibility for diverse learner cohorts
Facilitate simulation-based tutorial sessions for 70–90 undergraduates annually, achieving 25% improvement in engagement scores
Analyse learning data from 200+ participants using NVivo and user acceptance test (UAT) findings, delivering data-driven refinements to enhance learner experience

Research Assistant (Learning Design and Project Coordination)

Department of the Built Environment, National University of Singapore | Sep 2018 — Feb 2024

Drafted successful grant proposals (S$500,000+) under WDARF and LIF-T schemes, conducting comprehensive literature reviews and coordinating multi-stakeholder applications
Managed procurement, budgeting, and vendor liaison for 2 national research projects (S$200,000+), ensuring on-time delivery and full compliance with institutional and grant requirements
Co-authored 6 journal articles and industry reports, translating complex research into practical guidance for academic and professional audiences
Designed project tracking tools and workflows that improved reporting accuracy and enhanced coordination across 15+ team memberss
Developed instructional materials aligned with adult learning principles, facilitating programme accreditation and ensuring industry relevance
Supervised 10+ undergraduate dissertation projects, guiding literature reviews, methodology design, and qualitative analysis with 100% completion rate