People
Our Teams
people
An ecosystem of researchers and practitioners.
![Image of Peter Coppin](https://perceptualartifacts.net/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/peter-coppin.png)
Dr. Peter Coppin (PAL Director)
Associate Professor, Faculty of Design and Inclusive Design, OCAD University
Director of the Perceptual Artifacts Lab
Dr. Peter Coppin is Chair of Industrial Design at OCAD and former Graduate Program Director for Inclusive Design (2027 to 2020) in Toronto, Canada. He is an inclusive designer, artist, and cognitive scientist. His work seeks to improve information inclusion through understanding how diverse perceptual-cultural-motor capabilities interact with interfaces and designs (such as diagrams in problem-solving and auditory alternatives to graphs and maps).
MFA, PhD
![ErinLee_headshot-scaled-e1595887179656 ErinLee_headshot-scaled-e1595887179656](https://perceptualartifacts.net/wp-content/uploads/elementor/thumbs/ErinLee_headshot-scaled-e1595887179656-1-pirpgnsyc9h99fxuww8ebnyrefccztscq60huaf8xc.jpeg)
Erin Lee
Erin Lee is a Communications Associate at the Centre for Addiction and Mental Health (CAMH) and the project coordinator for the lab.
Her areas of work include health equity, immigrant and refugee mental health, global health, and e-learning for health professionals. She is currently working on a project with the Canadian National Institute for the Blind that focuses on accessible assistive technology and employment equity for blind and partially sighted individuals.
MDes, OCAD U
![pexels-photo-1138903.jpeg pexels-photo-1138903.jpeg](https://perceptualartifacts.net/wp-content/uploads/elementor/thumbs/pexels-photo-1138903-pa5233n742ama96395mahrm29j6r3fi25ghnmbrpio.jpeg)
![1517757763886 1517757763886](https://perceptualartifacts.net/wp-content/uploads/elementor/thumbs/1517757763886-qcghhre32dqv9z0r40z9z55spuvw8g24qa1wp9u774.jpg)
David Barter
David is a Research assistant at the Lab and a graduate of the Inclusive Design Master's at OCAD. He seeks to humanize technology by using his skills as an interaction designer and researcher to study tangible, embodied and wearable interactions. He has a focus on agency throughout his work.
MDes
![Untitled Untitled](https://perceptualartifacts.net/wp-content/uploads/elementor/thumbs/Untitled-qcghjhfflg3sk8in1rsnjpi7xae4cgweyt3ydja7sg.jpg)
Tamara Crasto
Tamara is a Research Assistant at the lab and a graduate of the Inclusive design Masters at OCAD. Her work lives at the intersect of creativity and critical thinking; harnessing technology, research and design to drive social impact and inclusivity. Her work has a special focus on education, UI/UX and virtual spaces.
MDes
![Steve Steve](https://perceptualartifacts.net/wp-content/uploads/elementor/thumbs/Steve-scaled-qcgi8rb7d2pcqrszgp3ilbwey9tfbh8l3wlyxdt4hc.jpg)
Steven Murgaski
Steven is a Research Assistant at the lab and a graduate of the Inclusive design Masters at OCAD. His work is focus on inclusive design and research. His Thesis was about STEM education for blind and partially sighted individuals. HE is currently interested in tangible interfaces for Information and communications technology.
MDes
![1665265957711 1665265957711](https://perceptualartifacts.net/wp-content/uploads/elementor/thumbs/1665265957711-qcgj4hd40s4qkzq37wr88tpgpfge3q6ggx8x0krshc.jpg)
Zainab Husain
Zainab is a research assistant in the lab and Software Engineering candidate with a Masters of Engineering from University of Toronto focused on UX Design. She is interested in making technologies more user friendly and inclusive.
MDes
![Robert-Ingino-768×768 Robert-Ingino-768x768](https://perceptualartifacts.net/wp-content/uploads/elementor/thumbs/Robert-Ingino-768x768-1-qcgjl9rc3943y9c66o0ca36uo6pel3tv40q4lhvncg.png)
Robert Ingino
Robert is a collaborator with the research group and is the Co-founder of SenseTech Solutions. His focus is on developing virtual realty environments for blind and partially sighted individuals. The main themes of his work are around navigation and information/communications technology.
MDes
![IMG_20160912_231640 IMG_20160912_231640](https://perceptualartifacts.net/wp-content/uploads/elementor/thumbs/IMG_20160912_231640-qcgjhjcexy03u0rezjwovj3xq33x0e08xjfoyxey28.jpg)
Ali Syed
Like Robert, Ali is a collaborator with the research group and is the Co-founder of SenseTech Solutions. His focus is on developing virtual realty environments for blind and partially sighted individuals. The main themes of his work are around navigation and information/communications technology.
MDes
Sandra Law
Sandra is a member of the research group, and graduate of the Inclusive Design Master's at OCAD U. Her work is on education and IDD. She is also an instructor at Athabasca
MDes
Other past/ present members
Alumni
Nneka Nnagbo (MDes), “Supporting Communication Accessibility and Inclusion in Online Meetings for Persons with Complex Communication Access Needs.,” May 2021 – December 2022 (I was the Secondary Advisor, with Dr. Alexis Morris as the Primary Advisor)
• Mingyan Wie (MDes), “An Inclusive Approach to Art Appreciation through Visual-Taste Cross- Sensory Design by Exploration with Kandinsky’s Grey Circle.,” December 2021 – December 2022 (I was the Primary Advisor, with Mrs. Melissa Smith [Art Gallery of Ontario] as the Secondary
Advisor)
• Caleb Valorozo-Jones (MDes), “Neurodiversity, Dungeons, and Dragons: A guide to transforming and enriching TTRPGs for Neurodivergent Adults OR The Neurodivergent Player’s Handbook.,” Feburary 2020 – September 2021 (Secondary Advisor, with Dr. Dori Tunsall, Principal
Advisor)
• Daniel Edward MacDonald (MASc), “Data-driven sonification of CFD aneurysm models.,” 2019 – May 2021 (I was the Co-Advisor, with Dr. David Steinman [Mechanical and Industrial Engineering, University of Toronto] as the Primary Advisor)
• Lucas Temor (MASc), “Multimodal Representations of Simulated Hemodynamics for Crossdisciplinary Communication.,” December 2019 – May 2021 (I was the Secondary-Advisor, with Dr. David Steinman [Mechanical and Industrial Engineering, University of Toronto] as the Primary
Advisor)
• Mitali Kamat (MDes), “NON-VISUAL DRAWING TOOL: Co-Designing a Cross-Sensory 3D Drawing Interface for and with Blind and Partially Sighted Drawers during Covid-19.,” December 2019 – May 2021 (I was Primary Advisor, with Dr. Alvaro Joffre Uribe Quevedo [Assistant Professor, Ontario Tech University] as Secondary Advisor)
• Mirjana Jevremovic (MDes), “Co-creating Inclusive Interviews: VR technologies for job interview training of individuals on the autism spectrum and strategies for employers.,” Feburary 2020 – May 2021 (I was Secondary Advisor, with Dr. Dori Tunstall as Primary Advisor)
• Dr. Marta Wnuczko (Post-Doctoral Fellow), “Making visual images accessible to the blind: Application of research on 6 options for lines and a model of affordances of pictures, diagrams, and text.,” March 2018 – May 2021 (Primary Advisor)
• Tania Villalobose (MDes), “Compassion as a Tool to Enhance Communication Between Nurses and Children in the Oncology Pediatric Ward.,” Febuary 2029 – April 2020 (Secondary Advisor, with Dr. Donna Bain and Dr. Michelle Wyndham-West, Primary Advisors [at different times])
• Darin Abu-Shaqra (MDes), “Arabic Type Classification System – Qualitative Classification of Historic Arabic Writing Scripts in the Contemporary Typographic Context,” Winter 2019 – June 2020 (Secondary Advisor, with Mr. Richard Hunt, Primary Advisor)
• Pui Yee Nikkie To (MDes), “Sensory Design Guidelines: Inclusive Children’s Treatment Centres,” Fall 2018 – June 2020 (Secondary Advisor, with Mrs. Maya Desai, Primary Advisor)
• Rachel Han (MDes), “Translating Scientific Content into Accessible Formats with Visually Impaired Learners: Recommendations and a Decision Aid Based on Haptic Rules of Perception,” December 2018 – June 2020 (Principal Advisor)
• MaryRose Ouellete (MDes), “A Theory of Cross-Sensory Photography,” Winter 2018 – (Secondary Advisor)
• Brandon Biggs (MDes), “Designing Accessible Nonvisual Maps,” October 4, 2018 – June 2019
(Principal Advisor)
• Henrique Matulis (MDes), “Design of Activation Modules for People Aging in Place and at Long Term Care,” Winter 2019 – June 2019 (Secondary Advisor, with Dr. Mark Chignell, Primary Advisor)
• Lena Yusim (MDes), “Mapping Audio and Tactile Variables: A concatenated study to find inclusive correspondences for visual variables in geographic maps,” October 4, 2017 – June 2019 (Principal Advisor)
• Uttara Ghodke (MDes), “THE CROSS-SENSORY GLOBE: Co-Designing a 3D Audio-Tactile Globe Prototype for Blind and Low–Vision Users to Learn Geography,” October 4, 2017 – June 2019 (Principal Advisor)
• Teresa Lee (MDes), “Bridging two worlds: Co-designing social spaces for autism from a neurodiversity perspective by exporting affordances of virtual worlds to physical spaces,” March 3, 2017 – June 12, 2018 (Principal Advisor)
• Felipe Sarmiento (MDes), “Inclusive design as a source of innovation: A case study & prototype of soccer spectatorship,” April 24, 2017 – June 12, 2018 (Principal Advisor)
• Annie Levy (MDes), “Towards inclusion in museums: Multisensory and cross-modal translations/ interpretations of visual artworks,” April 6, 2017 – June 12, 2018 (Principal Advisor)
• Maxwell Julian (MASc, Mechanical & Industrial Engineering, U of T), “Illustration-Inspired Visualization of Blood Flow Dynamics,” March 27, 2015 – September 22, 2015 (Co–Principal Advisor with David Steinman, U of T).
• Donna Saccutelli (MDes), “A Design Thinking Approach to Sustainable Inclusive Shopping Environments for Grocery Shoppers with Low Vision,” June 2014 – February 7, 2015 (Principal Advisor)
• Julie Buelow (MDes), “Promoting Dignity through Design: A Grounded Analysis of Stakeholders’ Views on the Role of Disability Organizations in Inclusive Design,” April 2014 – March 20, 2015 (Principal Advisor)
• Hong Zou (MDes), “Making Stock Market Charts Accessible through Provision of Textual Information in a Common Interface,” March 2014 – December 18, 2015 (Principal Advisor)
• Brandon Laird (MDes), “Time affluence as a connection for meaning in the creation of an uncertain and open future,” May 2013 – Nov 2014 (Principal Advisor)
• Noelle Campbell-Smith (MDes), “Animated skeuomorphic services for the web,” May 2013 – May 2014 (Principal Advisor)
• Feriyal Hallajarani (MDes), “Enabling cultural change in Iran: a critical pedagogical approach,” May 2013 – June 2014 (Principal Advisor)
• John Harvey (MDes), “Visual Design for Expertise: Design of a Research Website for Neuroradiology,” January 2013 – April 2014 (Principal Advisor)
• Lucian Timofte (MDes), “A Dialogical-Self Narrative: Meanings of Inclusiveness between Disability, Design and Theology,” January 2013 – September 2013 (Co–Principal Advisor with Jutta Treviranus).
• Mark Sherman (MDes), “Mindfulness as a Skillful Approach to Inclusive Design,” January 2013 – September 2013 (Co–Principal Advisor with Jutta Treviranus).
• Spirit Synott (MDes), “Re-presenting barriers and bridges: Practice as research in a new dance project about ability,” January 2013 – September 2013 (Co–Principal Advisor with Geoffery Shea).
• Joseph Hardin (MDes), “Investigating Open Scholarship and Inclusive Practices in Higher Education,” October 2012 – December 2013 (Principal Advisor)
say hello
We would love to hear from you.
COPYRIGHT Ⓒ 2021 PERCEPTUAL ARTFACTS LAB at OCAD UNIVERSITY