About
As a designer and researcher, I focus on assistive technology, inclusive robotics, and human-computer interaction — bridging physical and digital design with a commitment to human-centered thinking and real-world impact.
Experience
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May 2026 – Aug 2026
Hardware Engineer Intern
Running human-factors studies on AirPods comfort and Apple Watch tracking accuracy.
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May 2025 – Present
Founder
Running a design practice focused on assistive technology, inclusive robotics, and human-centered products.
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Feb 2025 – Present
Research Assistant
Disability Participation & Quality of Life Research Lab ↗
Designing WheelSafe, a cross-platform fall-detection system for wheelchair and scooter users.
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Dec 2024 – Feb 2025
Industrial Design Intern
Redesigned appliance control interfaces across steam ovens and robot vacuums.
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May 2024 – May 2025
IHSI Community-Academic Scholar
Evaluated the Stretch 3 assistive robot in real senior-living settings.
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May 2023 – Aug 2023
Engineering Intern
Designed refrigerant pipeline systems for water-cooled chiller units.
Education
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2025 – Present
PhD in Informatics
University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign
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2025 – Present
M.S. in Kinesiology
University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign
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2021 – 2025
B.F.A. in Industrial Design
University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign
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2021 – 2025
B.A. in New Media
University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign
Awards
- 2025
Red Dot Design Award
Concept Winner
- 2025
iF Design Award
Student Award Winner
- 2025
International Design Awards (IDA)
Gold Winner
- 2025
MUSE Design Awards
Platinum Winner
- 2025
French Product Design Awards
Design of the Year
- 2025
International Design Excellence Awards (IDEA)
Shortlist
- 2024
Illinois Design Challenge
1st Place
Research
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Shi, S., Sethi, S., & Sethi, S. (2024). Human-centered design in optimizing fitness benches. 15th International Conference on Applied Human Factors and Ergonomics, Nice, France.
DOI: 10.54941/ahfe1005398 ↗ -
Araujo de Aguiar, C., Shi, S., Harry, O., & Chan Ying, M. (2024). Grasp the future: Supporting grip strength assistance with GripAid. 17th Conference on Pervasive Technologies Related to Assistive Environments, Crete, Greece.
DOI: 10.1145/3652037.3652066 ↗ -
Chen, Y., Ganesan, V., Inanlu, M. J., Qiu, H., Singh, B. P., Shi, S., Fu, W., & Miljkovic, N. (2024). Experimental studies of saturated pool boiling heat transfer and critical heat flux on scalable etched copper surfaces. International Journal of Heat and Mass Transfer.
DOI: 10.2139/ssrn.5036794 ↗ -
Chen, Y., Zhang, J., Shi, S., Fu, W., Ganesan, V., & Miljkovic, N. (2026). Enhanced pool boiling and hysteresis of refrigerant R-134a and its potential alternatives R-1336mzz (E), and R-1336mzz (Z). International Journal of Heat and Mass Transfer, 254, 127620.
DOI: 10.1016/j.ijheatmasstransfer.2025.127620 ↗