Kimberlee Wilkens is an Associate Professor of Industrial Design. She teaches graduate and undergraduate courses that emphasize the critical role of research in the design process, helping students add depth and complexity to their thesis topics while fostering a user-centered approach.
In addition to her faculty role, Kimberlee holds a research appointment in the Department of Urology, where she supports the UR*lab, an interdisciplinary laboratory dedicated to user-centered product development. The lab collaborates with urology residents and fellows to identify problems and opportunities within medical practice and translate them into viable solutions.
She is also the Project Lead for MAD Lab (Medical Accelerator for Devices). This internally funded innovation initiative bridges early-stage medical device concepts with industry partners for further development. Through a multidisciplinary approach—including perspectives from engineering, medicine, computer science, design, and business—MAD Lab conducts clinical needs validation, generates innovative concept solutions, and outlines market opportunities.
Kimberlee is an active member of the Industrial Designers Society of America (IDSA) and is committed to advancing design research and medical innovation through collaborative development.
Selected Awards, Publications, and Patents
Wilkens, Kimberlee M. (PI), “Simulation Operating Room (SOR).” Awards for Creative Activity in the Fine, Performing, and Applied Arts; the Humanities; and the Social Sciences (UIC Chancellor, Provost, and Vice Chancellor for Research), $25,000, 2024.
Wilkens, Kimberlee M. (PI), “Arterial Grommet.” Dean’s Research Prize: UIC CADA, $1000, 2023.
Wilkens, Kimberlee M. (PI), “Smart Bolo: Supplemental Oxygen Safety Device.” Awards for Creative Activity in the Fine, Performing, and Applied Arts; the Humanities; and the Social Sciences (UIC Chancellor, Provos,t and Vice Chancellor for Research), $8800, 2022.
Wilkens, K., Seskauskas, M. “Making a Case for a Design-Focused Foundation Year.” Innovation, 2022, pp. 56–59.
Felder, Anthony, Leiderman, Yannek, Wilkens, Kimberlee, et al. “Design, development, and evaluation of a novel navigational catheter system for the delivery of therapeutics to the suprachoroidal space.” Journal of Medical Engineering and Technology. 2020.
Stirling, S., Wilkens, K., Felder, A. E., et al. (2019) “How Might We Teach Design Research Methods to Non-Designers In Order to Facilitate Multidisciplinary Team Collaboration?” Decipher, Vol. 1. Dialogue: Proceedings of the AIGA Design Educators Community Conferences (pp. 300–306).
Wilkens, Kimberlee M., et al. “Gas Flow Control Device.” Worldwide Utility Patent #WO2023114130A1. 22 June 2023; US Utility Patent Pending. 2022.
Felder, Anthony, Wilkens, Kimberlee M., et al. “Catheter System for Surgical Access and Therapeutics Delivery.” Worldwide Utility Patent #WO2021101895A1. 27 May 2021; European Utility Patent Pending. 2020.