Leila Aflatoony

Leila Aflatoony is an Assistant Professor in the School of Industrial Design at the Georgia Institute of Technology. She specializes in interaction design, assistive technologies, and co-design methods, with a focus on participatory design approaches involving non-traditional communities such as DIY makers in healthcare. Her work emphasizes empowering marginalized groups and improving living conditions for people with disabilities.

Education:

• Ph.D. in Interaction Design, Simon Fraser University (2015)
• M.Sc. in Product Service System Design, Politecnico di Milano (2009)
• M.A. in Visual Communication, Tehran University of Art (2006)
• B.A. in Graphic Design, Soore University (2003)

Research Interests: Dr. Aflatoony’s research integrates human-centered design principles with assistive technology development, particularly through co-design methodologies. She explores how tools like AR, VR, and 3D printing can democratize healthcare innovation, focusing on aging populations, disability empowerment, and caregiver support. Her work bridges clinical practice and technology to address systemic barriers in healthcare accessibility.

Article Trends: Her recent publications emphasize assistive technology customization (e.g., 3D-printed devices for occupational therapists), aging in place solutions (VR for cognitive impairment), and caregiver interventions using design thinking. She consistently advocates for inclusive design practices and interdisciplinary collaboration between clinicians, makers, and end-users.

Grants & Advising: While specific grants or advisees are not listed, her work reflects a focus on funded pilot projects (e.g., Emory Roybal Center initiatives) and collaborative frameworks like the CODEA co-design system for mobility-impaired users.

Labs & Teams: Her research involves partnerships with occupational therapy practitioners and multidisciplinary teams, though no formal lab names are explicitly mentioned.