Note: My name’s the Russian version of “George,” pronounced “gyeh-AWR-gey”
Location: Mountain View
What do you do for Google Places?
I develop numerical ways to measure user happiness. At Google, we make decisions based on data, and Places is no exception. We combine surveys, lab studies and other analysis to understand how people are using our products, and to learn what needs to be improved and which new features we may want to develop. A quantitative user experience researcher is a somewhat unusual role: It combines the skills of a software engineer, statistician and a social scientist (my academic background is in physics, sociology and computer science). My broader mission is to use data analysis and user feedback to help our engineering and product teams make informed decisions, and ultimately, to keep Google Places fun and easy to use.
What types of places do you always find yourself searching for on Google Maps?
Google Maps for mobile (Android app) is especially useful on road trips. When I visit a new city, I typically research museums and other landmarks beforehand, but tend to be spontaneous about food. The Google Maps mobile app is often called to the rescue when I suddenly find myself very hungry in unfamiliar area. For example, on a recent road trip along the California Mission Trail, my friend and I discovered great comfort food at Teresa and Johnny’s in San Rafael (remarkable pecan pancakes and a spectacular assortment of posters, signs and other Americana); Thai House in Santa Rosa (delicious fresh Thai food and they’re open late—a godsend to the weary traveler); and San Luis Fish and BBQ in San Luis Obispo (an extensive menu that’s quick, fresh and tasty).
Also, having lived in New York City for several years, I’m always on the lookout for good brunch places. Some of my standbys are Good Enough To Eat in New York and Zazie in San Francisco.
What’s one city you’ve been to that you absolutely loved, and what did you do there?
A few years ago, I spent a few days in Berlin. It was a little detour from a business trip to visit a friend. Within the first few minutes, I somehow felt very much at home there. All that historic architecture; efficient public transportation; the typical mix of offices, retail spaces and apartments within the same block; great coffee and beer—it all created a general atmosphere of Gemütlichkeit that I’d definitely like to relive some day.
Name a place you have on your “Saved” list and why.
There’s an East German restaurant in San Francisco called Walzwerk. When I visited the the DDR museum in Berlin, I enjoyed learning about how people in East Germany lived, and now I’m curious about East German food too. People preserve photographs and other artifacts of bygone times, but keeping old food recipes alive is probably way more difficult. I have a lot of respect for people who help preserve culinary traditions.
If you were an emoji, what would you look like?
I like travel, so I’d probably be holding a suitcase.
Tell us a few of your Best Evers and why.
The Trappist bar in Oakland, CA: Where all beers on the menu are to be tasted and relished like good wine.
Dada Falafel in Berlin: Tasty and inexpensive, great for a quick bite between a museum and a concert, right in Berlin’s historic center.
Moosewood in Ithaca, NY (home of Cornell University): An iconic vegetarian restaurant famous for their cookbooks, very interesting soups and other creative veggie dishes.
Lers Ros Thai in San Francisco: It’s authentic and unassuming, has a great menu selection, and serves the best tom yum soup I’ve ever had.
Posted by Gueorgi Kossinets, Quantitative User Experience Researcher
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