PHD RESEARCHER · UW SEATTLE
René
Capella
Human-Centered Design & Engineering
Bridging industry leadership, software engineering, and academic research to investigate how people shape technology — and how technology shapes people.
ABOUT
Designing for people,
with people
I’m a PhD researcher in Human-Centered Design & Engineering at the University of Washington. My work sits at the intersection of design education, ambiguity in creative practice, and the ways emerging technologies reshape human experience.
Before academia, I spent years in industry as a Product Manager and Lead Software Engineer — building real systems, leading teams, and shipping products used by thousands. That practical grounding informs everything I research and design today.
SKILLS
A rare mix of research,
design, and engineering
Research
Design
Engineering
Leadership
CONTACT
Let’s work
together
Open to research collaborations, speaking engagements,
and design consulting.
2026 René Capella
PhD Researcher · HCDE · University of Washington