I'm Zhechen (Leon) Zhao, an HCI researcher and designer-engineer with a passion for wearables. I'm currently pursuing a Pre-Doctoral MS CS at UChicago. My research interests include human-computer integration, haptics, tangible interaction, and fabrication. Previously, I focused on animation and interaction design.
I'm Zhechen (Leon) Zhao, an HCI researcher and designer-engineer with a passion for wearables. I'm currently pursuing a Pre-Doctoral MS CS at UChicago. My research interests include human-computer integration, haptics, tangible interaction, and fabrication. Previously, I focused on animation and interaction design.
I'm Zhechen (Leon) Zhao, an HCI researcher and designer-engineer with a passion for wearables. I'm currently pursuing a Pre-Doctoral MS CS at UChicago. My research interests include human-computer integration, haptics, tangible interaction, and fabrication. Previously, I focused on animation and interaction design.
I'm Zhechen (Leon) Zhao, an HCI researcher and designer-engineer with a passion for wearables. I'm currently pursuing a Pre-Doctoral MS CS at UChicago. My research interests include human-computer integration, haptics, tangible interaction, and fabrication. Previously, I focused on animation and interaction design.
Research
Circuit2Yarn: From Planar Circuits to Electronic Yarns for Textile-Based Interactions
Circuit2Yarn: From Planar Circuits to Electronic Yarns for Textile-Based Interactions
Circuit2Yarn: From Planar Circuits to Electronic Yarns for Textile-Based Interactions
Zhechen Zhao, Jingyi Liu, Tianhong Catherine Yu, Jiaqing Liu, Zeyu Yan, Huaishu Peng, Yiyue Luo, Zhihan Zhang, Tingyu Cheng
Zhechen Zhao, Jingyi Liu, Tianhong Catherine Yu, Jiaqing Liu, Zeyu Yan, Huaishu Peng, Yiyue Luo, Zhihan Zhang, Tingyu Cheng
Zhechen Zhao, Jingyi Liu, Tianhong Catherine Yu, Jiaqing Liu, Zeyu Yan, Huaishu Peng, Yiyue Luo, Zhihan Zhang, Tingyu Cheng
CHI 2026 (to appear)
CHI 2026 (to appear)
CHI 2026 (to appear)
Undergraduate Projects
Before 2025
[Haptics] [HCI]
[Haptics] [HCI]
A kinesthetic haptic feedback device simulating cutting and tearing.
A kinesthetic haptic feedback device simulating cutting and tearing.
[AR] [UI/UX]
[AR] [UI/UX]
An AR app that helps you navigate WashU's campus.
An AR app that helps you navigate WashU's campus.
[UI/UX] [Design-a-thon]
[UI/UX] [Design-a-thon]
A mobile app that encourages a healthy lifestyle by helping travelers pack less stressfully.
A mobile app that encourages a healthy lifestyle by helping travelers pack less stressfully.
[VR] [Generative AI]
[VR] [Generative AI]
An immersive art history learning experience powered by generative AI.
An immersive art history learning experience powered by generative AI.
[MR] [Hand-Tracking]
[MR] [Hand-Tracking]
A kid-friendly MR experience teaching crop care, fostering connections to food origins.
A kid-friendly MR experience teaching crop care, fostering connections to food origins.
[Website] [Branding]
[Website] [Branding]
New website design and rebrand for WashU Robotics.
New website design and rebrand for WashU Robotics.
Denim Jacket
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ViBreathe (Haptic Textile)
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Nirvana
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Bamboo Hairpin
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Jellyfish in the Clouds
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The Blue Diamond Caper
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Interior Rendering
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Kaleidoscope
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Mission Xmas
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Toon-Shaded Living Room
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Summer Pool + Robot
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Holding My String MV
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Motorways (CSS Typeface)
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Trompe-l'oeil
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Jungle Fox 2D Platformer
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Senior Arbiter of Fate
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Denim Jacket
View →
ViBreathe (Haptic Textile)
View →
Nirvana
View →
Bamboo Hairpin
View →
Jellyfish in the Clouds
View →
The Blue Diamond Caper
View →
Interior Rendering
View →
Kaleidoscope
View →
Mission Xmas
View →
Toon-Shaded Living Room
View →
Summer Pool + Robot
View →
Holding My String MV
View →
Motorways (CSS Typeface)
View →
Trompe-l'oeil
View →
Jungle Fox 2D Platformer
View →
Senior Arbiter of Fate
View →
Denim Jacket
View →
ViBreathe (Haptic Textile)
View →
Nirvana
View →
Bamboo Hairpin
View →
Jellyfish in the Clouds
View →
The Blue Diamond Caper
View →
Interior Rendering
View →
Kaleidoscope
View →
Mission Xmas
View →
Toon-Shaded Living Room
View →
Summer Pool + Robot
View →
Holding My String MV
View →
Motorways (CSS Typeface)
View →
Trompe-l'oeil
View →
Jungle Fox 2D Platformer
View →
Senior Arbiter of Fate
View →
Denim Jacket
View →
ViBreathe (Haptic Textile)
View →
Nirvana
View →
Bamboo Hairpin
View →
Jellyfish in the Clouds
View →
The Blue Diamond Caper
View →
Interior Rendering
View →
Kaleidoscope
View →
Mission Xmas
View →
Toon-Shaded Living Room
View →
Summer Pool + Robot
View →
Holding My String MV
View →
Motorways (CSS Typeface)
View →
Trompe-l'oeil
View →
Jungle Fox 2D Platformer
View →
Senior Arbiter of Fate
View →