Tarun Gopinath

Tarun Gopinath is an Industrial Design student at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, pursuing a minor in Business. His work bridges creative design with technical execution, drawing on skills in CAD modeling, prototyping, visual communication, and project management. With a strong foundation in design thinking and user-centered methodologies, Tarun approaches each project with an emphasis on functionality, clarity, and meaningful impact. He is especially interested in the intersection of industrial design and consumer electronics, where thoughtful design can enhance everyday experiences.

May-August 2025.

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.

Eunmi's profile

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.

Dana Delaney

Dana Delaney is a rising senior at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, majoring in Chemistry with a minor in Art & Design. Her involvements center on health equity for underserved populations: she secures medication assistance and low-cost services for patients as a case-management volunteer at Avicenna Community Health Center; coordinates free preventive healthcare screenings to under- and uninsured residents each semester as an executive board member of the Illini Medical Screening Society; and provides long-term companionship to elderly patients through Transitions Hospice Care.

Dylan Pales

Dylan Pales is a senior at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, majoring in Graphic Design in the School of Fine and Applied Arts and minoring in Psychology in the School of Liberal Arts. Passionate about the intersection of design, accessibility, and public health, she will be continuing her education with a Master’s in Public Health with a focus on health behavior and promotion. Dylan has worked as an Accessible Design and Communication Specialist for the National Park Service’s Public Risk Management Program, where she specialized in creating inclusive design solutions to improve public safety communication. Her work blends human-centered design principles with a deep understanding of psychology to craft disability-friendly, impactful experiences.

Carter Schott

Carter, an undergraduate student in Mechanical Engineering from Orland Park, Southside of Chicago, Illinois, is dedicated to the development of engineering devices aimed at enhancing the quality of life for individuals with disabilities. His projects include the design and implementation of wheelchair side pouches, illumination systems for wheelchair users, rear lights for wheelchairs, and high-strength backpack hooks tailored for wheelchair users. Carter's commitment to assistive technology is evident through his collaborative efforts to address everyday challenges faced by people with disabilities. He intends to advance his education by pursuing a Master of Science in Management, followed by a Master of Business Administration at the Gies College of Business, University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign.

Carter's website.

Sanchita Kamath

Sanchita S. Kamathis a Ph.D. candidate in Information Science at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, specializing in Human-Computer Interaction. Her research explores immersive and inclusive technologies, including virtual reality (VR) experiences, Human-centered eXplainable Artificial Intelligence (HCXAI), and conversational agents. Advised by Dr. JooYoung Seo, she aims to develop multimodal co-designed systems that challenge dominant interaction paradigms.

Joining the (dis)Ability Design Studio would offer her the opportunity to collaborate with a vibrant, cross-disciplinary community dedicated to inclusive innovation. She is especially excited about contributing to projects like the ultrasound accessibility initiative, while learning from and building alongside others equally committed to equity in design.

Sanchita Kamath's profile.