A journey of innovation and impact

This pivotal decision led her to transfer in her second year from Texas to the University of Cincinnati, where she graduated in 2024 with a degree in industrial and product design from the College of Design, Architecture, Art, and Planning (DAAP) and a minor in computer science.

“I chose UC for the diverse industry connections and the opportunities to work in different cities through the co-op system,” Dee explained.

Dee's time at UC, however, was indelibly marked by her participation in the NEXT Innovation Scholars (NIS) program. Reflecting on her experience as part of the inaugural NIS cohort, she considers her most significant accomplishment to be her growth in strategic thinking and leadership.

“I wanted to learn from people in different majors and collaborate with other innovative students who are always looking for what’s next,” Dee said. “My time in the program has allowed me to gain strategic thinking skills that have redirected my design focus to be more service-oriented. Leading a student team through our initial challenges really enhanced my leadership and flexibility skills.”

The NIS program, which Dee credits with preparing her for future career and academic pursuits, provided her with invaluable experiences. Among several was her collaboration with fellow NIS students to prepare a series of workshops for Upward Bound, a nonprofit closely associated with UC.

“We aimed to help Cincinnati Public School students think more about who they are, their future career path and be able to pivot and overcome challenges after high school. Leading these workshops and seeing the students' positive feedback was immensely rewarding,” Dee said.

Dee's innovative spirit extended beyond workshops. She participated in the MIT Reality Hack in Cambridge, Massachusetts, where her team won an award for enhanced learning with Meta's Presence Platform. Dee’s team project, "Legacy," aimed to provide an immersive mixed reality experience through a virtual app.

“After the hackathon, our team members stayed in contact and applied for Meta’s Oculus Start incubation program grant and won the award. This funding will allow us to build out the ‘Legacy’ mixed reality experience,” Dee said.

The “Legacy” app, designed to help users learn about different cultures without leaving their homes, is a testament to the power of virtual reality. Working together virtually over the next few months, Dee's team plans to develop its "Legacy" proposal into an actual mobile app.

"The beauty of working in extended reality or virtual reality is that you can enjoy immersive experiences without traveling. Our ‘Legacy’ app will bring these experiences to you, making learning more accessible,” Dee explained.

In addition to her achievements in virtual reality, Dee’s international experience further broadened her horizons. In 2022, she participated in a DAAP industrial design study abroad program in Daejeon, South Korea.

“While working on a project for user experience design at the Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology (KAIST), one of the top research-oriented science and engineering institutions in South Korea, our team won an iF Design Award in service design concepts for creating the Evergrow mobile app that empowers beginners to foster self-growth and participate in stock management, investment and financial literacy," Dee said.

Back on UC’s campus, Dee's momentum continued as she contributed to a significant project with UC’s 1819 Innovation Hub corporate partner Kao Corporation and its skincare brand Biore. Her team used design research methods to uncover consumer insights related to chemophobia and perceptions of corporate greenwashing.

“This project showed me how to break down complex systems and synthesize information into actionable insights,” Dee said.

Throughout her collegiate journey, Dee savored the sage guidance she received as an NIS student along the way.

“Someone once told me that innovation happens most when people are doubting you the most,” Dee said. “If there’s no question or doubt, then you aren’t doing the next big thing. So, stay focused on what you want to accomplish and believe in what you're doing.”

Looking ahead, Dee plans to enter the workforce securing a position in consumer electronics design.

“I want to make an impact and be part of a diverse team that is passionate about building something amazing together,” Dee said. “Being part of NIS has allowed me to gain the courage to question the things around me and push the boundaries of what I want to achieve.”

Dee’s journey from biochemistry to industrial design is a testament to the power of following one's passions and the transformative impact of seizing opportunities. Her story illustrates the transformative power of interdisciplinary learning and the impact of innovation on future careers.

Featured image at top: Jamie Dee during her DAAP industrial design study abroad at KAIST in South Korea. Photo provided