Judy Zhu is a Postdoctoral Fellow at the Future Laboratory, Tsinghua University, affiliated with the Sensing and AI-Engaged Living Lab (SNAIL Lab). She received her Ph.D. in Human–Computer Interaction from Swinburne University of Technology, an M.A.P. in Applied Psychology (User Experience) from Beijing Normal University, and a B.E. in Automation from Chang’an University, reflecting an interdisciplinary background spanning engineering, psychology, and design. She previously served as a Research Associate in the Master of Applied Psychology (User Experience) program at the School of Psychology, Beijing Normal University, contributing to user experience research and talent development.
Her research focuses on human-centered intelligent system design, integrating multimodal sensing, behavioral data analysis, and cognitive mechanism modeling to explore digital technologies for health promotion, aging-related social participation, and smart living environments. She has developed systematic expertise in digital health intervention design and user experience evaluation methods, and has participated in multiple industry–academic collaborations, with extensive experience in intelligent interaction and human factors applications.
RESEARCH PROJECT
I. Ongoing Research
（1）Multimodal Sensing-Based Long-Term Behavioral–Psychological Monitoring and Early Warning for Older Adults
This research develops integrated sensing frameworks for home and community environments by combining behavioral, physiological, and environmental data. It aims to enable continuous monitoring and early risk detection of behavioral and psychological changes in older adults, supporting proactive health management and early intervention.
（2）Rapid Identification and Coordinated Response Mechanisms for Psychological Abnormalities among Older Adults in Community Care Systems
This study focuses on community-based eldercare systems, developing rapid identification methods and risk stratification strategies for psychological abnormalities. It explores coordinated response workflows across service providers to enhance risk response capacity and service efficiency.
（3）Cognitive Control Allocation Mechanisms in Health Management Contexts
This research investigates the dynamic allocation and temporal organization of cognitive control in sustained health management and long-term goal maintenance. It aims to reveal mechanisms underlying adherence and goal deviation regulation to inform digital health intervention design.
II. Selected Previous Projects
（1）Digital Health and Gerontechnology
• Digital storytelling interventions to enhance social participation among older adults with mild cognitive impairment (Beijing Normal University; Swinburne University of Technology)
• Social inclusion of older adults with mild cognitive impairment in digitalized societies (in collaboration with Stanford University)
• User experience evaluation model for elderly care products for disabled seniors (Beijing Normal University)
（2）Intelligent Interaction and Interface Design
• Interactive large-scale display design and information visualization experience optimization (Lenovo Group; Beijing Normal University)
• Ergonomic keyboard and mouse design for female users (JD.com & Logitech)
（3）Inclusive Design and User Experience Evaluation
• Inclusive user interface design for the Chinese context (Microsoft)
• User experience evaluation of core mobile banking services (WeBank)
• User research and experience design for future digital entertainment (LEGO Group)
（4）Education and Innovation Talent Development
• Course development on digital accessibility product design (Apple)
• Talent development in interaction technology design (Google)
• Innovation and entrepreneurship maker training programs (Intel)
PUBLICATION
Zhu, D., Al Mahmud, A., & Liu, W. (2025). Effects of a Mobile Storytelling App (Huiyou) on Social Participation Among People with Mild Cognitive Impairment: Pilot Randomized Controlled Trial. JMIR Human Factors. 12(1), e70177.
Zhu, D., Al Mahmud, A., Liu, W., & Wang, D. (2024). Digital Storytelling for People with Cognitive Impairment Using Available Mobile Apps: Systematic Search in App Stores and Content Analysis. JMIR Aging. 2024;7:e64525.
Zhu, D., Al Mahmud, A., & Liu, W. (2024). Design Requirements for a Digital Storytelling Application for People with Mild Cognitive Impairment (MCI). Digital Health. 10, 20552076241282237.
Liu, W., Huang, R., Zhu, D., Chen, Y., Wang, J., Zhang, J., ... & Ohashi, T. (2024, October). Exploring NeuroDesign in Cultivating Empathy and Creativity in Primary Education in China. In Companion of the 2024 on ACM International Joint Conference on Pervasive and Ubiquitous Computing (pp. 111-115).
Zhu, D., Al Mahmud, A., & Liu, W. (2024). Examining behaviour change techniques (BCTs) in technology-based interventions for enhancing social participation in people with mild cognitive impairment (MCI) or dementia: A scoping review protocol. BMJ Open, 14(2), e078188.
Zhu, D., Al Mahmud, A., & Liu, W. (2024). Digital storytelling intervention for enhancing the social participation of people with mild cognitive impairment: Co-design and usability study. JMIR aging, 7, e54138.
Zhu, D., Al Mahmud, A., & Liu, W. (2023). Digital storytelling intervention to enhance social connections and participation for people with mild cognitive impairment: A research protocol. Frontiers in Psychiatry, 14, 1217323.
Zhu, D., Al Mahmud, A., & Liu, W. (2023). Social connections and participation among people with mild cognitive impairment: Barriers and recommendations. Frontiers in Psychiatry, 14, 1188887.
Zhu, D., Al Mahmud, A., & Liu, W. (2023). A taxonomy of idea management tools for supporting front-end innovation. Applied Sciences, 13(6), 3570.
Zhu, D., Wang, D., Huang, R., Jing, Y., Qiao, L., & Liu, W. (2022). User interface (UI) design and user experience questionnaire (UEQ) evaluation of a to-do list mobile application to support day-to-day life of older adults. Healthcare, 10(10), 2068.
Zhu, D., Xu, Y., Ma, H., Liao, J., Sun, W., Chen, Y., & Liu, W. (2022). Building a three-level user experience (UX) measurement framework for mobile banking applications in a Chinese context: An analytic hierarchy process (AHP) analysis. Multimodal Technologies and Interaction, 6(9), 83.
Zhu, D., Huang, R., Zhang, Z., Yang, F., Wang, R., Ren, B., & Liu, W. (2022). Envisioning the future trends of smart assistive devices to support activities of daily living for older adults with disabilities. In International Conference on Human-Computer Interaction (pp. 454-466).
Zhu, D., Gray, C. M., Toombs, A. L., Liu, C., & Liu, W. (2021). Building a cross-cultural UX design dual degree. In Congress of the International Association of Societies of Design Research (pp. 1128-1134).
PATENTS
A tracking and processing system for recognizing and representing gestures.
Patent No. ZL.202120026852.3
HONOR & AWARD
• First Prize, Teaching Achievement Award, Beijing Normal University
• Top 10 New Design Stars, International Conference of Experience Design
• Excellent Mentor, China–U.S. Youth Maker Exchange Program, Ministry of Education
• Excellence Award, 11th Doctoral Forum on Design Research
• Outstanding Graduate, Beijing Normal University