Steven Pong KITE

Dr. Steven Pong completed his Bachelor of Design in industrial design at OCAD University, 2005. Immediately after, he spent several years developing products, packaging, and fixtures for premier Canadian companies including Mimran Group/Alfred Sung and Richelieu Hardware before returning to school to complete a Master of Design degree at NSCAD University, 2009. While investigating the function of industrial design in applied academic medical research for his thesis, Steven accepted a position at the Kite Research Institute at UHN as an industrial designer. In this role, he collaborated with scientists and students to design and build devices required to complete healthcare-based research, the analysis and communication of results, and the commercialization of promising solutions. Research areas included: biomechanics, robotics, neural engineering, infection control, sleep, and mobility. While at Kite, Steven completed his PhD at University of Toronto in the Department of Mechanical and Industrial Engineering, 2019. His thesis required the development and testing of an electronic system designed to reduce the incidence of healthcare acquired infections through increased hand hygiene performance among health care workers. After finishing his studies, Steven was promoted to Staff Scientist, in charge of Design and Fabrication Services. In 2022, Dr. Pong transferred to an Affiliate Scientist role at Kite and accepted an Assistant Professor position at the School of Industrial Design at Carleton University where he continues to teach undergraduate courses and conduct design focused research.

  • Affiliate Scientist, KITE - Toronto Rehabilitation Institute, University Health Network
  • Assistant Professor, School of Industrial Design, Faculty of Engineering & Design, Carleton University
  • Physical User Interfaces