Elisa Koolman

Elisa is a doctoral candidate in Mechanical Engineering at the University of Texas at Austin researching the impact of generative design tools on decision-making and stakeholder perspective taking in the Design Understanding, Cognition, and Knowledge Lab. Elisa also has a background in engineering education research, especially with a focus on understanding the representation of disability in engineering courses and spaces, and research experience as an intern on NASA's Convergent Aeronautic Solutions team focusing on AI-human interactions in design. Elisa holds an M.S. in mechanical engineering from the University of Texas at Austin and a B.S. in mechanical engineering from Georgia Tech. 

Elisa also enjoys reading, making pottery, and gardening.

Research interests: Design cognition, Impacts of generative design on design considerations and outcomes, Incorporating Disability Studies into engineering design and design education, and Design Justice