Cindy Hsin-Liu Kao

Cindy Hsin-Liu Kao is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Design + Environmental Analysis at Cornell University. Her research focuses on human-centered design of wearable technologies, blending aesthetics and cultural perspectives into on-body interfaces. She leads Cindy's Lab, exploring topics like biodegradable e-textiles, sweat-sensing systems, and modular wearable frameworks.

Dr. Kao earned a Ph.D. from the MIT Media Lab, followed by a Master's in Computer Science and dual Bachelor's degrees in Computer Science and Technology Management from National Taiwan University. Prior to academia, she worked at Microsoft Research developing cosmetics-inspired wearables.

Her research interests span Hybrid Body Craft, emphasizing culturally inclusive design for wearables. Notable projects include texTENG (self-powered sensors) and MediKnit (medical-grade wearable devices). She has exhibited work globally, including at the Boston Museum of Fine Art and Dutch Design Week.

Her work has garnered awards such as the ACM CHI Best Paper Honorable Mention and Fast Company Innovation by Design Finalist. Current projects investigate sustainable materials (EcoThreads) and collaborative robotics (Weaved Inflatable Barriers).

Dr. Kao's lab actively explores intersections between technology and culture, with a focus on democratizing wearable prototyping through toolkits like SkinKit.