Dr. Byeol (Star) Kim is a Senior Human-Centered Computing Scientist at USF Health CAMLS and an Assistant Professor in the Department of Medical Engineering at the USF Morsani College of Medicine. She earned her Ph.D. in Mechanical Engineering from Johns Hopkins University, where she developed customized 3D-printed tissue-engineered vascular grafts (TEVGs) for pediatric cardiac surgery and created VR surgical planning system to assist clinicians in patient-specific conduit design and operative planning.

Dr. Kim’s research integrates extended reality (VR/AR), artificial intelligence, and 3D printing to develop innovative technologies that enhance medical training, diagnosis, and patient care. Her work emphasizes creating systems that are not only advanced but also affordable, accessible, and adaptive to diverse users and clinical constraints and needs. Her research encompasses system design, technical development, and empirical evaluation, employing iterative and user-centered methodologies to optimize performance, usability, and clinical applicability.

Beyond academia, Dr. Kim has applied her expertise in technology translation and strategic innovation, previously leading the development of VR-based surgical planning tools that advanced into clinical use and serving as a Management Consultant with McKinsey & Company.