What happens when a biochemist becomes a product design leader? Nate Patrick, Head of Product Design & Research at CAS, shares how his scientific background shapes how he builds tools for the world's most advanced chemical and biology discovery platform — and what the AI revolution really means for UX teams.

💡 In this episode:

Why AI gives scientists (and designers) superpowers — not pink slips

How CAS balances speed with rigorous user research

The "vibe research vs. real research" debate

Whether the product builder role will absorb design, research & engineering

How to future-proof your UX career in the age of vibe coding

⏱️ Timestamps:

0:00 - Intro: Why AI has outpaced user listening

2:29 - What Nate's team builds at CAS (SciFinder, BioFinder, IP tools)

6:05 - How AI has flipped scientific discovery (Nobel Prize, proteins, DNA)

7:34 - AI as superpower vs. barely keeping up

9:39 - How AI fits into product building today

16:32 - Observing users in the wild: surprising behavior stories

18:52 - Rapid fire: go-to user testing toolkit

19:44 - How to convince leadership that user research still matters

21:32 - When design absorbs research: the new "product builder" role

28:29 - Is vibe coding creating a quality crisis?

UXResearch #ProductDesign #AIandUX #VibeResearch #UserTesting #UXPodcast #CAS #DesignLeadership #ProductManagement