Benett Axtell is a PhD student in Computer Science at the University of Toronto working under the supervision of Dr. Cosmin Munteanu. She received her BA in Computer Science from the university of Smith College in 2012 with a minor in Arts and Technology. After working in industry for three years, she returned to academia and received her MSc in Computer Science from the University of Toronto in 2017. Her research focus is currently on developing technologies to encourage cross-generation social connectivity. Benett’s research also investigates new speech interactions for under-served populations and new methods that include these users in the design process. Benett likes to de-stress by baking in her tiny kitchen.