Human Centered Innovation for Washington and the World
IMPACT REPORT: HUMAN CENTERED DESIGN & ENGINEERING
2024-2025
From clean water to clean energy, mental health to AI literacy, HCDE researchers are applying human-centered methods to some of society's most pressing challenges. The following projects showcase the power of academic research and highlight how federal funding helps advance knowledge that serves communities locally and nationally.
Featured Research
Leading the nationwide effort to protect US research security
The SECURE Center, led by HCDE Professor Mark Haselkorn, is uniting the US research community to address critical security challenges while preserving the openness that drives scientific progress.
Advancing renewable marine energy to strengthen coastal communities
HCDE Assistant Research Professor Shana Hirsch is leading research so advancements in renewable marine energy benefit local communities through job creation and long-term economic stability.
"Academic research is a powerful driver of new knowledge, often with more depth and openness than what is typically found in industry. It sparks ideas that reach far beyond the lab and is fueled by curiosity, giving students and researchers the freedom to explore big questions that shape our world. Continued funding is essential to sustain this discovery and ensure knowledge is created for the public good."
Bridging gaps to safe drinking water in Washington schools
HCDE Assistant Professor Katya Cherukumilli is leading research to study and address issues with drinking water quality in Washington schools by designing tools that support water testing, data interpretation, and remediation.
Improving mental healthcare with UW’s ALACRITY Center
HCDE Professor Sean Munson and collaborators in UW’s ALACRITY Center are working across disciplines to improve behavioral treatments to support mental health and deliver them through clinics, schools, and community settings.
How federal research funding fueled a startup with global reach
Federal funding plays a vital role in advancing academic research that can spark innovation and economic impact, as seen in Professor Beth Kolko’s journey from researcher to founder of a medical device startup.
Helping kids think critically about AI
HCDE Professor Julie Kientz and PhD student Aayushi Dangol are developing tools like AI Puzzlers to help children think critically about artificial intelligence and understand the limits of generative AI.
Interdisciplinary Research Centers
ALACRITY
Mental Health Innovation
Co-developing digital tools and systems to make evidence-based mental health care more accessible and scalable.
Home unit: Department of Psychiatry & Behavioral Sciences
HCDE lead: Sean Munson
CIP
Center for an Informed Public
Combating online rumoring, mis- and disinformation through research, media literacy tools, and policy work.
Home unit: Information School
HCDE lead: Kate Starbird
CREATE
Accessible Tech for All
Leading national efforts to embed accessibility into tech design through community partnerships and cutting-edge research.
Home unit: Paul G. Allen School of Computer Science & Engineering
HCDE lead: Leah Findlater
SECURE
Safeguarding US Research Integrity
Protecting the research ecosystem by developing inclusive tools and policy frameworks that promote security without compromising academic freedom.
Home unit: College of Engineering
HCDE lead: Mark Haselkorn
HCDE Outreach: Inspiring Washington's K-12 students in Engineering
For over a decade, HCDE has brought human-centered design to K–12 classrooms across Washington state through hands-on, community-driven outreach. Led by students and faculty, the program inspires young learners to see themselves as designers and problem-solvers—especially in communities with limited access to STEM. Since relaunching in 2023, the program has reached over 350 students with age-appropriate, culturally responsive workshops.
Explore HCDE Outreach
Educating Washington’s Future Engineers
Bachelor of Science in HCDE:
2024 - 2025 academic year
The HCDE undergraduate program blends design, engineering, and social science to prepare students to create technologies and systems that are grounded in human needs.
The program attracts a diverse student body, with strong representation from women, first-generation college students, and communities historically underrepresented in STEM fields. This inclusive environment fosters rich collaboration and ensures that a broad range of perspectives are reflected in the design of future technologies.
68%
Women Students
helping to close the gender gap in tech fields
24%
First-Generation College Students
9%
Students from Underrepresented Minority Groups
19%
Federal Pell Grant Eligible Students
Alumni at Work in Washington
1,700+
HCDE alumni live in Washington State, adding new talent to the state's workforce every year.
Top Washington-Based Alumni Employers
- Microsoft
- Amazon
- University of Washington
- Expedia Group
- Nordstrom
Top HCDE Alumni Job Titles
- UX Designer
- Product Designer
- Product Manager
- Software Engineer
- UX Researcher
HCDE alumni are making an impact across Washington State—applying human-centered design to improve technology, services, and systems in communities from Seattle to the Yakima Valley.
Mallory Kester
HCDE BS ‘18
Kennewick, WA
Hanford Tank Waste Operations & Closure (H2C)
Rotational Safety Specialist
Mallory Kester works at H2C, the company leading the nation’s largest radioactive waste cleanup effort, where she helps advance preventative strategies to reduce workplace hazards and protect worker safety. As part of a specialized two-year program in environmental health and safety, she draws on her HCDE training to support technical systems, processes, and documentation for high-risk sites.
Todd Billow
HCDE BS ‘01
Richland, WA
Pacific Northwest National Laboratory (PNNL)
Group Lead, Human Centered Computing
Todd Billow is a UX and Product Designer, and Group Lead for Human Centered Computing in the AI & Data Analytics Division of Pacific Northwest National Laboratory. Todd leads a team of about 90 User Experience Designers, User Interface Engineers, Human Factors Researchers, and Software Test Engineers working in national security applications at PNNL, helping government agencies interpret big data and make high-consequence decisions using AI and analytics tools.
Yuliana Flores
HCDE BS ‘18
Wapato, WA
University of Washington
PhD Candidate & Research Assistant
Yuliana Flores researches engineering education with a focus on educator agency and inclusive curriculum design. She collaborates with Wapato High School to teach Usability Testing, helping students develop the language and confidence to critique educational technologies. She also partners with the Center for Engineering Learning & Teaching to support faculty nationwide in improving students’ understanding of design processes.
Smitha Bharadwaj
HCDE MS ‘18
Seattle, WA
Qualtrics
UX Design Manager
Smitha Bharadwaj is a UX Design Manager at Qualtrics, a leading experience management platform focused on customer, employee, and strategy research. She leads teams that design developer tools for building custom experience management applications and systems for collecting user feedback. Her work supports Qualtrics’ mission to help organizations serve their customers and employees in more proactive and personalized ways.
Are you an HCDE alumnus making an impact in Washington State? Let us know what you’re up to!
Support HCDE Research & Education
At the UW, we’re proud to conduct more federally sponsored research on behalf of the American people than any other public university — changing lives and boosting the nation’s global competitiveness. To create this impact, the HCDE depends on forward-looking policies, wise investments, and the support of our community.
Here’s how you can help:
- Speak up: Share your stories about how UW research has benefited you and your community. Explain why federal research investment in higher education matters to you. Join UW Impact if you want to receive the latest information and legislative updates about higher ed issues.
- Donate: Sustain innovation in HCDE. A gift to the HCDE Faculty Support Fund provides vital resources to faculty affected by research budget cuts.
- Partner: Collaborate with HCDE to solve real-world challenges. Industry partnerships advance research, expand opportunities for students, and drive innovation.