Elijah Cantu

Elijah Cantu headshot I am a graduate student at the University of Michigan School of Information on a full-tuition scholarship. I earned my undergraduate degree in Computer Science at Michigan's College of Engineering on a full ride.

Projects

I develop software and tutorials to help people reduce their screen time.

unplugs.org

Provides tutorials on how to block any content on any device for yourself or your family.

Homepage Screen Time Cold Turkey
unplugumich.org

Unplug UMich helps students manage screen time and build healthier digital habits.
Google Search Web Filter

Redirects your Google searches to the Web filter, which contains text-based links to websites.

Try It Chrome Firefox
Grayscaler

Applies a grayscale filter to your included sites, tabs, or all sites, except those you excluded.

Chrome

Publications

Webel: Web Browsing Event Logger Elijah Cantu and Gyunam Park
ICPM 2025: International Conference on Process Mining 2025 Demo Track

A Chromium extension that logs web browsing events for process mining analysis, capturing navigation patterns.

Paper Docs Demo Install GitHub

Research Experience

Mobile App Developer — Research Assistant

University of Michigan School of Information — 2025–Present

  • Developing a React Native mobile app for pediatric Type 1 Diabetes patients and caregivers
  • Architecting Firebase backend with real-time sync and intelligent discrepancy detection
  • Integrating Dexcom Share API with secure storage (iOS Keychain / Android Keystore)
  • Implementing role-based authentication with custom invite code system
  • Building Python Cloud Functions and Expo push notification infrastructure
  • Applying data deidentification protocols to protect patient health information
  • Mentored by Yoon Jeong Cha with guidance from Professors Mark Newman and Sun Young Park
Beta Program Participant — Research Assistant

Amazon Consumer Robotics — 2025–Present

  • Participating in beta testing of a household robot SDK
  • Developing interaction software using ROS and WebSockets
  • Contributing feedback on real-world deployment and system behavior
  • Working under the supervision of Professor Patrícia Alves-Oliveira
Research Assistant

University of Michigan Robotics Department — 2025–Present

  • Conducting longitudinal research on human–robot relationships in domestic settings
  • Analyzed ~2,000 Facebook posts from ~500 users over a 3-year period
  • Accessed Meta Content Library via SOMAR Virtual Data Enclave for secure data handling
  • Implemented strict deidentification protocols for user privacy
  • Applied mixed-methods analysis combining qualitative coding and quantitative modeling
Web Developer

University of Michigan Robotics Department — 2024–Present

  • Built and maintain research websites (Robot Studio, ROB 340, HRI Design Retreat)
  • Developed publication management tooling using Jekyll and GitHub Actions
  • Improved site performance and maintainability through automated workflows
Process Mining Researcher

RWTH Aachen University — 2025

  • Developed Webel, a Chromium-based browser extension for logging web navigation
  • Designed data collection pipelines for process mining analysis
  • Supported research on user behavior and workflow modeling

International Experience

RWTH Aachen University

Aachen, Germany — 2025

Process mining research and German language study.

University of Michigan-Shanghai Jiao Tong University Joint Institute

Shanghai, China — 2025

Sustainability studies.

CEA CAPA Prague

Prague, Czechia — 2023

Differential equations and Prague history.

Education

University of Michigan School of Information
Master of Science in Information 2025–2027

Full-Tuition Award: UMSI Go Blue Graduate Scholarship

University of Michigan College of Engineering
Bachelor of Science in Engineering in Computer Science 2021–2025

Minor: UX Design (UMSI). Full-Ride Award: Wolverine Pathways Scholarship + Detroit Promise Scholarship