Hello, I'm DJ!

I am an Assistant Professor of Computer Science and Engineering at the University of Michigan, with affiliated appointments in the School of Information and Michigan Medicine.

I study how humans will interact with AI after chatbots—designing the next generation of AI interfaces used in healthcare, accessibility, and everyday life. My research explores how artificial intelligence moves beyond screens and prompts toward ambient, perceptual, and adaptive interaction. I build human-centered AI systems that augment human perception and capability—from accessible audio interfaces to healthcare technologies—shaping how billions of people will experience AI in daily life.

My research sits at the intersection of human–computer interaction, audio AI, accessibility, and hearing health, advancing AI systems that expand access to technology for diverse populations.

I completed my PhD at the University of Washington and my MS at the MIT Media Lab, and have conducted research at Microsoft, Google, and Apple. My work has been recognized with the Google Lime Scholarship (2015), Microsoft Research Dissertation Grant (2021), and the SIGCHI Outstanding Dissertation Award (2023).

I teach Accessible Computing, Audio AI, and User Interface Design at the undergraduate level, and Advanced Accessibility and Human-Computer Interaction at the graduate level. I also organize studio-style DIY workshops for students from diverse educational backgrounds; to date, I have led seven global workshops across five countries. Outside academia, I am a certified scuba instructor.

I also advise organizations and healthcare companies on designing and integrating human-centered generative AI systems into real-world workflows.

See my curriculum vitae, lab website, Google Scholar page, or contact me at profdj [at] umich [dot] edu.