2024 - Present
Digital Healing Project
In today’s fast-paced world, young people face growing mental health pressures that disproportionately affect BIPOC youth.
Research shows that creative expression helps reduce anxiety, improve mood, and strengthen social connections. For many, the arts aren’t just an outlet—they’re a lifeline.
Motivated by these realities, cry baby was designed with young BIPOC artist to invest in the emotional well-being and resilience of the next generation. Co-designed with 10 young Philadelphia-based youth leaders in partnership with Creative Resilient Youth and researchers from the University of Pennsylvania, cry baby aims to provide a creative space for healing and connection.
Research shows that creative expression helps reduce anxiety, improve mood, and strengthen social connections. For many, the arts aren’t just an outlet—they’re a lifeline.
Motivated by these realities, cry baby was designed with young BIPOC artist to invest in the emotional well-being and resilience of the next generation. Co-designed with 10 young Philadelphia-based youth leaders in partnership with Creative Resilient Youth and researchers from the University of Pennsylvania, cry baby aims to provide a creative space for healing and connection.
RoleProduct Design Oversight
Co-Principal Investigator
Co-Design Facilitator
My Role
I partnered with social work, nursing, design, and engineering research partners at the University of Pennsylvania to secure a grant for this project. As the co-principal investigator and community steward, I led a cross-functional team to plan, recruit, facilitate, and co-design a digital wellness product. More specifically, I advised and helped manage young leaders and an emerging product designer throughout the project.
The Digital Healing project is currently in development and will be piloted with public health researchers in Summer 2025.
A prototype made by product designer Eileen Fung.
Credits
CollaboratorsSocial Policy and Practice Lead: Siva Mathiyazhagan, PhD MSW
Engineering Lead, Sharath Chandra Guntuku, PhD
Engineering research assistant, Sebin Lee
Engineering research assistant,Manvi Saul
Nursing Lead, Seul Ki Choi, PhD, MPH
Product Designer, Eileen Feng
Creative Lead and Product Steward, Taylor Townes
Creative Lead, Hayley Yuen
Creative Lead, Erika Ramirez-Lopez
Creative Lead, Deana Tham
Creative Resilient Youth Community Partner, Avani Alvarez
Engineering Lead, Sharath Chandra Guntuku, PhD
Engineering research assistant, Sebin Lee
Engineering research assistant,Manvi Saul
Nursing Lead, Seul Ki Choi, PhD, MPH
Product Designer, Eileen Feng
Creative Lead and Product Steward, Taylor Townes
Creative Lead, Hayley Yuen
Creative Lead, Erika Ramirez-Lopez
Creative Lead, Deana Tham
Creative Resilient Youth Community Partner, Avani Alvarez