Fiona Bell
University of New Mexico
fbell1@unm.edu
Bio
Fiona Bell is a Postdoctoral Fellow in the Department of Computer Science at the University of New Mexico, working with Prof. Leah Buechly in the Hand and Machine Lab. With a PhD in Creative Technology and Design from the ATLAS Institute at the University of Colorado Boulder in 2023, and a BSc in Mechanical Engineering from Santa Clara University in 2019, her research centers around Biological Human-Computer Interaction (Bio-HCI). Combining human-computer interaction, material science, and sustainable biodesign, she develops novel biomaterials (e.g., bio-based and biodegradable materials) that integrate with digital technologies to create computationally dynamic and ecologically sustainable interfaces. Fiona has published at top HCI venues such as ACM CHI and DIS, receiving 2 Best Pictorial Awards and 2 Best Paper Honorable Mention Awards. Several of her works have also been exhibited at artistic venues such as the Currents Media Art & Technology Festival and the UNM Art Museum.
Areas of Research
- Human-Computer Interaction
Designing Sustainable and Dynamic Biomaterials for HCI
My research is situated within the rapidly growing field of Biological Human-Computer Interaction (Bio-HCI). Bio-HCI focuses on the relationships between humans computers and biological systems; ultimately ushering in a new era of user interfaces that bridge between the biological and the digital. Bio-digital interfaces are unique in that they integrate biomaterials materials grown and derived from biological sources as design elements within new technologies. Over the past few years I developed several original biomaterials (e.g. eggshell-based biopastes algae-based bioplastics compost-based bioclays self-cleaning textiles) and methods for working with a diverse collection of existing biomaterials (e.g. microbial cellulose mycelium the microbiome bioluminescent algae and cyanobacteria). Combining principles from human-computer interaction material science and sustainable biodesign I employ biomaterials to create bio-digital interfaces that are both computationally dynamic and ecologically sustainable. For example: wearable technology grown from microbial cellulose that is actuated via embedded biodegradable circuitry; eggshell-based biopastes that enable regenerative modes of 3D printing; and living textile dyes derived from bacteria that change color in response to temperature. These bio-digital interfaces not only demonstrate how to design with nature… but for nature. In the future I envision biomaterials being widely adopted and integrated into daily life resulting in a variety of bio-digital interfaces that foster respect humility generosity and care towards other living beings and our natural world.