Jesse Gao
Jesse Gao

Jesse (Chenfeng) Gao - 高晨峰 is a HCI researcher/designer interested in human digitalization, Reality-Virtuality Continuum and creative interface. He is currently a 2st year PhD student in SPICElab at Northwestern University, advised by Prof. Karan Ahuja. He graduated with an MS in Computer Science from University of Chicago, where he worked with Prof. Ken Nakagaki in AxLab on tangible and actuated interactions research. Prior to that, he received his Master of Design in Human-Computer Interaction from Institute of Design (ID), where Prof. Anijo Mathew, Prof. Santosh Basapur, and Prof. Zach Pino mentored him in human-centered design. He completed his undergraduate studies in Mathematics and Applied Mathematics at Renmin University of China.

education

Northwestern University
PhD in Technology Social Behavior (TSB) 2024 - Present
University of Chicago
Master of Science (M.S.) in Computer Science 2022 - Mar 2024
IIT Institute of Design
Master of Design (M.Des.) in Human-computer Interaction 2019 - 2021
Renmin University of China
Bachelor of Science (B.S.) in Math and Applied Math 2013 - 2017

research experience

Northwestern University, SPICELab
Advised by Dr. Karan AhujaMar 2024 - Present
University of Chicago, AxLab
Advised by Dr. Ken NakagakiMay 2022 - Apr 2024
Rush University Medical Center
Advised by Dr. Santosh BasapurDec 2021 - Apr 2022
Harvard University | D-Lab at T.H. Chan School of Public Health
Advised by Dr. André NogueiraMay 2021 - Dec 2021
Renmin University of China
Advised by Dr. Wei XuJun 2014 - Jun 2015

awards & recognition

2025 User Experience Desing Winner, Red Dot Design Award
Paper+Demo Honorable Mention Award, ACM-CHI 2024
“MobilePoser puts motion capture into mobile devices” The Engineer
"Ceiling robots can reconfigure room lights and curtains" NewScientist
Jury Honorable Mention Award, ACM-UIST SIC 2022
Student Notable Health/Wellness Design Award, Core77
Best Student Design of 2022, Honorable Mentions, Fast Company
Master Challenges Competition'21, Winner, IIT Institute of Design & Harvard D-Lab
Master Challenges Competition'20, Winner, IIT Institute of Design & Verizon