I am a design researcher, educator, and industrial designer whose work focuses on socially and community-engaged design. My research, creative practice, and service advance design’s role in addressing complex social challenges and contributing to more equitable futures. I am especially interested in design for health, design justice, and wearable technologies, as well as the coming together of design research and practice, including contributions to the development of Research through Design (RtD) as a rigorous and impactful mode of inquiry.

My scholarship spans both theory and practice. I am writing my third book, Human Factors for Industrial Designers (under contract with Routledge), which reimagines human factors for contemporary and inclusive design practice. My work has appeared in leading journals such as Design Studies and Design Issues. I have presented widely at international conferences and delivered invited talks at major academic and professional venues, including keynote addresses at the Industrial Designers Society of America (IDSA) International Design Conference 2025 and the Women in Design Deep Dive 2024. In recognition of my contributions to design education, I received the IDSA Young Educator Award (2024).

I serve as co-investigator and patterning team lead on a multi-year New Frontiers in Research Fund (NFRF) Transformation Grant, part of Canada’s prestigious tri-agency funding system. The project is developing smartwear garments that support health and mobility. My research trajectory has also been supported by Canada’s tri-agency programs: during my master’s studies, I received a SSHRC award, and during my doctoral work I was awarded the Vanier Canada Graduate Scholarship, one of the country’s highest academic honors.

I am Associate Professor of Industrial Design at Virginia Tech and affiliate faculty in Biomedical Engineering and Mechanics. Previously, I was Assistant Professor of Industrial and Interaction Design at Syracuse University (2018–2023). Across my career, I have taught at five major research universities in North America. I hold a PhD and Master’s in Environmental Design (aménagement) from the Université de Montréal and a Bachelor of Design in Industrial Design from the University of Alberta.