Kimmi Ko

Dr. Kimmi Ko is a Lecturer in Industrial Design at RMIT University's School of Design, specializing in human-centered design, healthcare innovation, and sustainable development. Her academic career includes a PhD from The University of Queensland focusing on medical technology design for life-saving devices, particularly Ventricular Assist Devices (VADs). She has held roles as a Postdoctoral Research Fellow and Lead Service Experience Design Researcher in government and academia, contributing to interdisciplinary projects such as the Intensive Care Unit of the Future and the Australian Defence Force Learning Laboratory.

Education:

• Bachelor of Industrial Design (University of New South Wales)
• Master of Design (University of New South Wales)
• Master of Philosophy (University of New South Wales)
• Postgraduate studies in Product-Service System Design (Politecnico di Milano)
• PhD (The University of Queensland)

Research Interests: Dr. Ko's work bridges design innovation with healthcare and social impact. Key areas include:

• Medical device humanization and psychosocial design
• Patient-centered digital health interventions
• Design for chronic illness management
• Sustainable product attachment and consumption
• Educational strategies for inclusive design pedagogy

Awards:

• Y Nose International Fellowship (first designer honored by ASAIO)
• ASAIO Program Award (2019)
• University of Sydney Dissemination Award

Teaching & Mentorship: Dr. Ko champions student-centered education, emphasizing inclusivity and employability outcomes. She mentors students across diverse cultural and linguistic backgrounds, fostering reflective teaching practices and positive learning experiences.

Current Projects:

• Medical Research Future Fund Artificial Heart Frontier Program
• SCC Chinchilla Illoura Aged Care Facility Project
• Australian Defence Force Learning Laboratory