hello
I am an HCI researcher with a background in urban planning and design.
I am interested in advancing urban accessibility through interactive technology.
Bio
I am a 3rd-year Ph.D. student in Computer Science at the University of Washington, advised by Prof. Jon Froehlich. My research explores the intersection of human-computer interaction and urban science, focusing on enhancing urban accessibility through interactive technology. My recent projects include using crowdsourced data to study the relationship between sidewalk condition and socio-economic factors [ASSETS'22 Workshop]; developing machine learning pipelines to improve data quality and crowdworkers’ domain knowledge [CHI'24]; exploring how digital civic tools can be used for community accessibility advocacy [CHI'24]; and making dynamic geovisualization accessible to enable broader participation in shaping inclusive urban infrastructure [VIS'24]. My work has been published at CHI, ASSETS, and IEEE VIS.
I hold an M.S. in Architecture and Urban Design from Columbia University and an M.S. in Information Science from the University of Toronto. Previously, I practiced as an urban designer at Skidmore, Owings & Merrill in Chicago, and as a product designer at Samsung Canada.
I'm dedicated to
Working with a variety of people
The more users I work with, the more I know about accounting for different needs in design.
Making the most of my life experience
The more I experience in life, the easier it is to empathize with others.
my users
Hover over character silhouette to see their stories.
My Experience
I was born in an era of rapid Chinese urbanization and later moved to seven different cities across Asia, Europe and America.
Being exposed to multiple waves of culture and social shocks, I experienced the difficulty of navigating through unfamiliar environments at a very young age. Although overwhelming at times, the unique experience has enriched my understanding of diverse cultures, enabled me to value resonance with others, and shaped me into an empathetic designer who seeks to honour human emotions.
As my most respected artist Isamu Noguchi once wrote: "To be hybrid anticipates the future."