Michael Rivera

Michael Rivera is an Assistant Professor of Computer Science at the ATLAS Institute, University of Colorado Boulder. He directs the Utility Research Lab—a highly interdisciplinary group that invents and investigates digital manufacturing technology by combining materials science, computational fabrication, and sustainable design practices. His research has been published in premier human-computer interaction venues including ACM CHI, UIST, DIS, and IMWUT, and featured in national media outlets such as NPR's All Things Considered, Ars Technica, and CBS News.

Dr. Rivera earned his Ph.D. and M.S. in Human-Computer Interaction from Carnegie Mellon University's Human-Computer Interaction Institute, where he was advised by Scott Hudson. Prior to CMU, he completed a M.S.E in Computer Graphics and Game Technology and a B.S.E in Digital Media Design at the University of Pennsylvania, and worked as a software engineer at Facebook.

Michael Rivera's research focuses on sustainable digital fabrication techniques that democratize access to manufacturing tools while addressing environmental concerns. His work explores bio-based materials, computational recycling approaches, and low-cost fabrication methods. The Utility Research Lab has developed innovative projects including the Desktop Biofiber Spinning Machine for Smart Textiles Design and techniques for 3D Printing with Spent Coffee Grounds. His research bridges materials science, computational design, and human-centered approaches to create more accessible and environmentally responsible fabrication technologies.

Rivera's publication record shows a clear trajectory toward increasingly sophisticated computational approaches to sustainable manufacturing. His recent work emphasizes material recycling processes, biofiber development, and computational design pipelines that enable disassembly and reuse of fabricated objects. This research direction reflects a commitment to addressing the environmental impact of digital fabrication while expanding its accessibility to diverse users and contexts.

• 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 actively recruiting PhD students to join the Utility Research Lab, demonstrating his commitment to mentoring the next generation of researchers in human-computer interaction and digital fabrication. His research has been supported by prestigious fellowships including the NSF/CRA Computing Innovation Fellowship. He collaborates extensively with researchers across institutions, as evidenced by his co-authorship with scholars from various universities.

The Utility Research Lab, directed by Dr. Rivera, serves as a hub for interdisciplinary innovation in digital fabrication. The lab has developed several notable projects that reflect its mission to advance science and engineering while positively impacting people, society, and the environment through sustainable design practices. Current work focuses on computational approaches to material recycling, biofiber design, and novel animation techniques that make fabrication more accessible and environmentally responsible.