Headshot of Yugo Iwamoto, east asian, short hair with white shirt, green tie and black jacket.

Yugo Iwamoto

HCI Researcher & Web Developer

日本語

About Yugo

As a passionate Human-Computer Interaction (HCI) researcher with an M.S. in HCI from the Rochester Institute of Technology (RIT), I specialize in bridging accessibility and innovation through inclusive technology. My work focuses on user-centered design, usability testing, and emerging tools like generative AI to improve digital equity. My recent capstone project explores bridging communication gaps between hearing and d/Deaf and Hard-of-Hearing (d/DHH) people through multimodal speech and typing recognition, combining technical problem-solving with social impact. This work is accepted to HCI International 2026. View capstone report (PDF)

With a diverse professional background across research, communications and marketing, web design, community engagement, and customer service roles, I bring technical skills and research expertise, such as user studies, focus groups, accessibility design, and critical analysis. Global Perspective: Multilingual proficiency in English and Japanese, combined with international experience in education and customer service.

I am currently seeking new opportunities in the following areas:

I thrive at the intersection of technology, inclusivity, and human experience, driving projects that make a tangible impact on diverse communities. Let’s connect if you share a passion for accessible and human-centered technologies.

View CV (PDF) Google Scholar

On Going Projects

A11y: Improving Alternative Texts for Science Figures With Generative AI

This is the AWARE-AI NSF research, and I lead this project. My team is designing studies investigating the effectiveness of utilizing generative AI to generate better alternative texts for science articles. ASSETS WIP/Poster

image represent A11y. The word 'A11y' centered on a dark background

Bridge Communications: Kiosk Multimodal Communications Tool for d/Deaf and Hard of Hearing and Hearing

The capstone project where I designed a Kiosk Multimodal Communication Tool to investigate the usability and accessibility of multimodal inputs (speaking and typing) for d/DHH and hearing individuals. This work has been submitted to CHI 2026.

Diagram of a kiosk-style conversation system. A large monitor in the center displays chat bubbles and the word “Hello!” (with a small QR code shown on the screen). On both the left and right sides are larger QR codes labeled “QR code to join a chat!” At the bottom left, a person labeled “Speaking” talks into a phone with a microphone icon. At the bottom right, a person labeled “Typing” uses a phone with a chat/typing icon. The layout suggests users join the same chat via QR code and communicate through speaking or typing, with messages shown on the shared monitor.

Publications & Presentations

Selected publications and presentations reflecting ongoing work in accessibility, inclusive design, and human-centered AI. Expand a year to see details.

Completed Projects

RIT HCI Research Website

I revamped and updated the design and contents of the HCI research page for the School of Information (the iSchool).

Screenshot of the RIT HCI research page

The iSchool Tour

Video for prospective students and families to learn about the iSchool during the virtual open house.

INSPIRE

INSPIRE supports faculty with disabilities in research and teaching at RIT. Explore experiences at the Experience page.

Word 'Inspire' centered on a white background

Generative AI in K-12

Designing workshop resources for teachers in underfunded schools, using GenAI to broaden access.

AI-themed classroom illustration with students

The iSchool Graduation Video

Celebrating the class of 2022 with student stories recorded before and on commencement day.

The iSchool Recruitment Page

Single-page design created to recruit faculty, following RIT branding guidelines.

Screenshot of iSchool recruitment page with students typing on laptops

Caption Mask Promotion (ImagineRIT)

Recorded and edited a demo featuring a student project showcased at ImagineRIT.

Text-To-Speech Instruction for Disability Services

Guidance for adopting natural-voice TTS to reduce reliance on human readers as accommodation demand grew.

First page of the Text-to-Speech instruction document

ISTE-646 Class Project & Homework

Coursework in JS, PHP, React, SQL, and front-end fundamentals (Fall 2024).

Dark-themed IDE open on a MacBook in a modern office

Personal (Portfolio) Website Development

Developed and tutored several academic personal sites, including Dr. Narmala Shenoy and Professor Catherine Beaton.

Laptop displaying a code editor with a website project open

Marketing & Communications

Marketing and communications materials including graphics and presentations as marketing and communications professionals since 2021. I was a communications intern for Gates Chili Central School District and coordinator of communications for School of Information at RIT. Please view my portfolio.

Illustration of four people collaborating on marketing work—one on a laptop with a headset, two reviewing a tablet together, and one checking analytics—surrounded by abstract icons for messaging, branding, and goals, with large white space above for a heading.

Major Classes I Have Completed

Blog

Insights on accessibility, bilingual UX, and inclusive HCI design.