Kathleen Helen Sienko

Kathleen Helen Sienko is an Arthur F. Thurnau Professor and Professor of Mechanical Engineering at the University of Michigan, College of Engineering. She holds a Ph.D. in Medical Engineering and Bioastronautics from MIT and Harvard's HST program, an S.M. in Aeronautics & Astronautics from MIT, and a B.S. in Materials Engineering from the University of Kentucky.

Her research focuses on sensory augmentation systems, rehabilitation engineering, and global health technologies. Notable projects include developing task-shifting medical devices for low-resource settings and establishing global health design programs. She co-leads the Sienko Research Group, which collaborates with international partners like Ghana's Komfo Anokye Teaching Hospital and Ethiopia's St. Paul's Hospital.

Dr. Sienko has received prestigious awards, including the NSF CAREER Award and Miller Faculty Scholar Endowment. Her work emphasizes interdisciplinary approaches, combining engineering with clinical and cultural insights to address global health challenges. She has advised numerous students, including Ph.D. candidates Lucy Spicher and Anushka Rathi, and has led over a dozen undergraduate initiatives in Ghana.

Her research portfolio spans 150+ publications, with recent work on vibrotactile feedback systems, balance training for older adults, and culturally appropriate medical device design. She also contributes to engineering education through innovative courses and curricula, such as the Global Health Design minor.

Key collaborations include the Ethiopia-Michigan Platform for Advancing Collaborative Engagement and the NSF-funded Global Challenges grant. She has pioneered field sites in sub-Saharan Africa and Asia, fostering partnerships for sustainable healthcare solutions.