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A psychologist builds the tool he needs

JOLIVE grew from a research bottleneck into a software venture. Published in Alumni Digest as verified reporting from the University of Waterloo.

JOLIVE grew from a research bottleneck into a software venture.

In the September issue
A psychologist builds the tool he needs
Jacob Oliveira on Waterloo’s campus. Photo: Source: University of Waterloo; see original article for photo credits.. Source image retained for editorial review; rights clearance is still required before any broader reuse.

The context

Where the work begins

Psychology PhD student Jacob Oliveira built JOLIVE to reduce the programming work involved in behavioural studies. Its visual interface supports surveys, experiments and optional AI chat components, with study ordering handled by the platform.

The takeaway

What follows

Waterloo reports that Oliveira used the tool for eight studies involving 840 participants in one semester. He is developing the incorporated business with a team and a computer science co-op student. The result is a useful example of a product emerging from direct experience of a problem.

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