Lea Albaugh

Lea Albaugh serves as the Mark Stehlik Postdoctoral Teaching Fellow at Carnegie Mellon University's Human-Computer Interaction Institute (HCII) within the School of Computer Science, where she also completed her PhD. Her academic trajectory reflects deep integration with CMU's interdisciplinary HCI ecosystem, contributing to both research innovation and educational initiatives through the institute's collaborative framework.

Her research centers on physical interfaces, with pioneering work in sensing mechanisms, haptic feedback systems, and digital fabrication techniques. She employs research-through-design methodologies to develop novel programming tools and interactive systems, exemplified by her co-authored project on computer-controlled sewing for flat-to-shape objects—a contribution highlighted in CMU news and presented at premier conferences including CHI and UIST. This work bridges craftsmanship with computational design, advancing shape-changing interface technologies.

Albaugh's scholarly impact was formally recognized in 2024 through the Siebel Scholar award, which honors exceptional graduate students in CMU's School of Computer Science for academic excellence, leadership potential, and commitment to societal benefit.

• Siebel Scholar (2024)

While specific details about student advisement and research grants remain unpublicized in available materials, her work operates within HCII's vibrant research environment that unites computer science, design, and behavioral sciences. The institute's structure facilitates cross-departmental collaboration, positioning her physical computing research at the intersection of engineering, art, and human-centered technology development.