Student Affiliates
Eunmi Moon
Eunmi Moon is pursuing a Ph.D. in the Informatics Program at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign. She also holds a BFA and MFA in Graphic Design from the same institution. Her research is focused on the Empathic User Experience Research Method and Process. She emphasizes an empathy-driven research method by engaging makers in immersive simulation and experiential role-playing workshops, the scenarios of which are created by users to develop user-inspired solutions. Eunmi's goal is to extend the applicability of this method to diverse domains, especially in education. She aims to foster future professionals who are ethically responsible and care about environmentally sustainable solutions for users. Recently, she joined the (dis)Ability Design Studio team and is actively working with Dr. McDonagh on various projects and publications. In addition to her academic pursuits, Moon is also active as a graphic designer and user experience researcher, contributing her expertise to the field.
Aziz Zeidieh
Aziz Zeidieh, an Informatics PhD student advised by Dr JooYoung Seo, is a human-computer interaction (HCI) researcher at the intersection of orientation and mobility (O&M), artificial intelligence (AI), and usability. He is actively exploring opportunities to leverage novel technologies and advancements in AI to facilitate safe, efficient, and independent travel experiences for blind and low-vision individuals. As a legally blind member of society, Aziz is passionate about finding ways to improve the accessibility and usability of life experiences for all individuals with the help of a universal design approach.
Kaitlin Skurnak
Kaitlin Skurnak is majoring in Systems Engineering and Design with a concentration in Human Factors and a minor in Disability Studies at the Grainger College of Engineering at the University of Illinois Urbana Champaign. She is the president of Design for America UIUC, a 501 (c)(3) nonprofit organization that focuses on teaching User-Centered Design methodology to students from all disciplines. She is also the Disability Advocacy Chair for MedLaunch, a student organization that partners project teams with people in the Champaign Urbana area with disability/accessibility related needs in order to work together to design, build, and implement solutions at no cost to the partners. She has been working under Dr. Deana McDonagh and Coach Adam Bleakney on various projects for the Human Performance and Movement Maker Lab and the (dis)Ability Design Studio since Fall 2022 and plans to pursue a graduate degree in Human Factors Engineering after graduation.
Nicholas Rohlwing
Nicholas Rohlwing is a student at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign studying Molecular and Cellular Biology. In addition to working in the (dis)Ability Design Studio, he also works in a drug development lab with a focus on innovative anti-fungal treatments. He is also a nationally registered EMT and volunteers at a local community kitchen weekly. Furthermore, he serves as the recruitment chair as well as the scholarship chair for his fraternity.In his free time, he enjoys playing and watching sports, working out, skiing, and reading.Nicholas plans on attending medical school and becoming an orthopedic surgeon specializing in prosthetics.
Caleb Thomas
He is a sophomore in Bioengineering, currently pursuing the biomechanics tracks. He originates from Elmhurst, Illinois, a suburb of Chicago. He aspires to work in the healthcare industry, preferably with medical device or prosthetics. While on campus he is part of the Indian Student Association, Biomedical engineering Society, A national honors fraternity, and a social fraternity where he is currently the brotherhood chair and the external vice president. In addition to working in the (dis)Ability Design Studio, he also works in Dr. Oldfield's drug development research lab focusing on anti-fungal treatments. In his free time, he enjoys working out, spending time with friends, and playing and watching sports, with basketball being his favorite.
Connor Grady
Connor Grady is an Industrial Design student and James Scholar at the College of Fine and Applied Arts and is minoring in Business at the Gies College of Business. He specializes in Automotive design innovation and visual communications, with a large background in apparel graphic design. He has had the opportunity to learn from industry specialists and professors at the College for Creative Studies’ 2021 Margaret Dunning Automotive Design Fellowship Program, in Detroit, Michigan.