- Jan 16, 2026
- Holistic Human Health, Social Impact + Justice, Sustainability + Society, Technology + Human Thriving
Functional apparel designs improve comfort and hygiene
In FSAD 6900, students take a holistic approach to fashion design. The graduate-level course is taught by Heeju Park, Vincent V.C. Woo Professor of Human Centered Design, who is also affiliated with the Department of Design Tech. It emphasizes understanding human performance and environmental challenges, developing functional prototypes, and scientifically evaluating those prototypes using advanced technologies.
At the end of the class, two groups unveiled forward‑thinking projects that improve performance and comfort in women’s apparel
- Jan 16, 2026
- by Marisa LaFalce
- Alumni
Sehar Mapara '24, luxury retail designer
Sehar Mapara is a recent graduate who majored in design and environmental analysis (DEA). She is now an architectural designer with MAOarch Architecture, a woman- and minority-owned boutique firm specializing in luxury retail, workplace and commercial projects. In addition to her day-to-day work at MAOarch, she has participated in New York and Paris design weeks.
Mapara shared insights into how her undergraduate experience informs her work:
Q. What do you do as an architectural
Craig Higgins
Julie McGee
Kimberly Kopko
Kimberly Kopko received her Ph.D. in Child Development from the Department of Human Development at Cornell University and joined the Bronfenbrenner Center for Translational Research (BCTR) in the College of Human Ecology. Her research and Extension work examines child development and parenting and family processes. Current research and outreach projects include: parenting and youth development, parenting and child learning, and the use of research and evidence-based parent education programs to promote positive parenting and strengthen families. Ongoing academic and research interests include
Ph.D. Human Behavior + Design
Research how humans interact with spaces large and small — from products to buildings to cities — and help guide more effective design.
