Ruolin Wu

I am a graduate student in the Applied Urban Science and Informatics program at New York University. Before joining NYU, I received my bachelor’s degree in Japanese Literature with a minor in Applied Psychology from Nankai University.

My current work lies at the intersection of Digital Civics, Human–Computer–Environment Interaction, and Urban Simulations. I study how residents make sense of complex urban changes when information is uneven, and how interactive systems can make civic data more interpretable and negotiable. At NYU, I work on projects that connect environmental simulations — such as shadow, transportation, and air-quality models—to community narratives in Manhattan Chinatown. I also conduct VR-based perceptual experiments using 360° video, EEG, and EDA measurements to examine how urban greenery shapes stress responses across different contexts.

Previously, I have gained experience in industry through roles at Ford, Lenovo, and IKEA, working on user-facing interfaces, internal communication, and data-driven operational tools. These applied experiences inform how I design technologies that must function across real organizational, cultural, and community settings.

Outside of work, I like bouldering, swimming, and spending too much time in the kitchen. If you meet me in person, there is a good chance I’ll try to cook you something unnecessarily complicated from Chinese home cooking.