Zihan Wu

Dr. Zihan Wu is an Assistant Professor in the School of Computing and Information Science at the University of Maine, where she leads the Puffin Lab. Her research lies at the intersection of Human-Computer Interaction (HCI), Computing Education Research (CER), and Human-AI Interaction. She studies how interactive and AI-supported technologies can help people learn computing while supporting learner agency, engagement, and effective help-seeking.

Her work combines human-centered design with qualitative, experimental, and large-scale field studies to understand how learners interact with educational technologies and to design more effective and supportive learning experiences. Her work has been published in venues including CHI, AIED, and ICER, and she enjoys mentoring undergraduate and graduate students in research.

Zihan earned her Ph.D. in Information from the University of Michigan and her B.Eng. in Computer Science and Technology from Tsinghua University. At UMaine, she teaches courses including HCD 101: Introduction to Human-Centered Design, HCD 318: User Experience Design, and Human-AI Interaction, which will be offered beginning Spring 2027.

Students interested in her research, the Puffin Lab, or current research opportunities can visit her personal website for more information.