Research
My research in biologically inspired design (BID) focuses on the cognitive processes of design, where design relies on drawing analogies to nature. We focus on creative design, analogical reasoning, and problem and solution generation. More specifically I look at the understanding and invention of the design problem itself. Some research questions:
* How are new problems generated?
* Once generated, how does problem understanding evolve?
* How do analogies to existing solutions reshape problem understanding?
* What kinds of analogies lead toproblems that yield innovative solutions?

These questions originated in our observation that in almost 50% of classroom design project instances (N = 34), students in BID generate new problems based first on interesting solutions in nature, rather than trying to solve a problem defined prior to investigating the solution. Furthermore, we observe that, of those biologically inspired design solutions first introduced to class as case-studies, the only solutions that are currently being manufactured and sold have (apparently) followed a solution-driven process.

In addition to cognitive theories, I design interactive technology platforms to support generation of new ideas, both problem and solution ideas, by analogical retrieval and mapping of biological designs.

I work closely with and am supported by the Center for Biologically Inspired Design on this project.