Megan Hofmann

Megan Hofmann is an Assistant Professor holding dual roles at Northeastern University's Khoury College of Computer Sciences and the Department of Mechanical and Industrial Engineering (College of Engineering). She earned her PhD in Human-Computer Interaction from Carnegie Mellon University in 2022. Her research focuses on accessibility and digital fabrication, particularly in healthcare contexts, including automated machine knitting and medical making. She leads the Accessible Creative Technologies (ACT) Lab, which develops tools like Maptimizer (custom tactile maps), OPTIMISM (collaborative optimization frameworks), and KnitGIST (generative knitting design).

Her work addresses challenges in assistive technology fabrication, such as creating accessible medical devices and optimizing rapid prototyping in healthcare. Recent projects include NSF-funded research on interactive smart textiles and studies on distributed manufacturing during the COVID-19 pandemic. Hofmann’s contributions span interdisciplinary domains, blending computer science, mechanical engineering, and healthcare innovation.

Grants & Awards: Recipient of a $550,000 NSF grant for smart textile tools (2024).
Labs: ACT Lab focuses on inclusive digital fabrication systems.