معرفی
Shira Epstein serves as Senior Lecturer in the Electrical and Computer Engineering Department at the University of Massachusetts Amherst College of Engineering and holds the position of Director of Campus Makerspaces. She also coordinates the Senior Design Project course and functions as an iCons Teaching Fellow. Her academic home is firmly within the engineering discipline, specifically in the Electrical and Computer Engineering department where she contributes to both teaching and makerspace development initiatives.
Her educational background includes a Bachelor of Science in Electrical Engineering from the University of Southern California and a Master's degree in Computer Science from UMass Amherst. This dual foundation in both electrical engineering and computer science informs her interdisciplinary approach to education and makerspace development.
Epstein's research and professional interests center around makerspace development, engineering education, and the application of geometric principles to practical fabrication. Her work with polyhedral structures using 3D printed magnetic tiles demonstrates how mathematical concepts can be transformed into tangible educational tools. She has developed modular construction systems that enable users to repeatedly assemble and disassemble complex geometric forms, distributing any manufacturing errors evenly through magnetic guidance. Her focus extends to creating accessible fabrication environments that serve students across all disciplines.
Analysis of her publication history reveals a consistent focus on geometric modeling and educational fabrication tools, with significant contributions to polyhedral construction systems using OpenSCAD and 3D printing technology. Her work bridges theoretical geometry with practical applications in educational settings, emphasizing modular design principles and magnetic assembly systems that enhance the learning experience.
As Director of Campus Makerspaces, Epstein launched the UMass Amherst Makerspace in 2019, creating a facility in Agricultural Engineering Building North Rooms 120 & 122 that serves as an interdisciplinary hub open to students, faculty, and staff from all majors. The makerspace operates with extensive hours (10am to 9pm daily during academic semesters) and provides access to tools, equipment, training, and mentorship. She oversees a student team of approximately 15 members representing diverse engineering and computer science disciplines who staff the facility and support users.
The makerspace functions as a focal point for the campus maker community, hosting events and workshops while facilitating connections between makers and connecting groups with expertise and other maker resources. Epstein's leadership has established the space as a critical resource for hands-on learning and interdisciplinary collaboration across the university.
