معرفی
Michael L. Rivera is an Assistant Professor at the ATLAS Institute and the Department of Computer Science at the University of Colorado Boulder. He leads the Utility Research Lab, a highly interdisciplinary group that invents and investigates digital fabrication technology, tools, and techniques with the goal of advancing science and engineering while positively impacting people, society, and the environment.
Dr. Rivera completed his Ph.D. and M.S. in Human-Computer Interaction at the Human-Computer Interaction Institute of Carnegie Mellon University, where he was advised by Scott Hudson as part of the DevLab. Before Carnegie Mellon, he earned a M.S.E in Computer Graphics and Game Technology and a B.S.E in Digital Media Design from the University of Pennsylvania. He also previously worked as a software engineer at Facebook.
His research spans the intersection of digital fabrication, human-computer interaction, and material science. Dr. Rivera's work focuses on developing novel fabrication techniques such as desktop biofibers spinning, electrospinning, and sustainable material processing with everyday waste products like coffee grounds. His research has significant implications for sustainable manufacturing, tangible interfaces, and accessible technology design.
Analysis of his recent publications reveals a consistent focus on making digital fabrication more accessible, sustainable, and interdisciplinary. His work bridges computer science, material engineering, and design, with particular emphasis on open-source hardware development, computational design tools, and applications for social good. The research demonstrates a progression from fundamental fabrication techniques toward more applied, socially conscious applications.
- CRA/CCC Computing Innovation Fellowship
- Google - CMD-IT Dissertation Fellowship
- Carnegie Mellon University Sansom Endowed Presidential Fellowship
- Adobe Research Fellowship Honorable Mention
- Xerox Technical Minority Scholarship
Dr. Rivera is currently recruiting PhD students to join the Utility Research Lab. His research has been supported by various fellowships and grants throughout his career, including industry partnerships with Google and Adobe. His work demonstrates strong potential for future funding in sustainable manufacturing and accessible technology.
The Utility Research Lab, directed by Dr. Rivera, is a highly interdisciplinary research group focused on inventing and investigating digital fabrication technology. The lab has developed several notable projects including the Desktop Biofibers Spinning Machine (presented at CHI 2024), desktop electrospinning technology (CHI 2019), and systems for 3D printing with spent coffee grounds. The lab maintains an active GitHub presence with numerous open-source repositories related to their research.
