Jia Wu, Ph.D.

Jia Wu, Ph.D.

  • Assistant Professor
jzw0280@auburn.edu
3008 Haley Center
Google Scholar
LinkedIn
Download CV

Jia Wu, PhD, is an assistant professor in the Department of Consumer and Design Sciences at Auburn University. Her research focuses on sensor-informed, technology-integrated wearable apparel development systems and explores how these systems can be scaled into mass personalization models for industry implementation.

Education

  • Ph.D.University of Missouri, Columbia, MO2024

  • M.A.Beijing Institute of Fashion Technology, Beijing, China2008

  • B.A. Beijing Institute of Fashion Technology, Beijing, China2005

Professional Experience

Academic Experience 

  • Assistant Professor, Department of Consumer and Design Sciences, College of Human Sciences, Auburn University | 2024–2021

Industry Experience

  • Vice President, Qingdao Fashion Research Institute (Affiliated with Beijing Institute of Fashion Technology), China | 2020–2021

  • General Manager, HN Manufacturing Technology Co., Ltd., Qingdao, China | 2017–2020

  • Design Director, HN Manufacturing Technology Co., Ltd., Qingdao, China | 2013–2017

  • Design Manager, Aino Brand Management Co., Ltd., Shanghai, China | 2012–2013

  • Fashion Designer, HN Manufacturing Technology Co., Ltd., Qingdao, China | 2010–2011

Innovation

Refereed Journal Articles

  • Wu, J., Kopot, C., & Zhao, L. (2025). Sustaining competitive advantages in the apparel industry through inter-functional coordination in the digital transformation era: An exploratory case study. Clothing and Textiles Research Journal, 43(4). https://doi.org/10.1177/0887302X251338313

  • Lee, J. E., & Wu, J. (2025). Humanizing brands through inclusive marketing: The role of social judgments and anthropomorphism in luxury and non-luxury branding. Fashion and Textiles, 12(1), 38. https://doi.org/10.1186/s40691-025-00444-9

  • McBee-Black, K., Rana, M. R. I., Ipaye, H., Wu, J., & Burns, C. (2024). Intimate apparel challenges and consumer satisfaction among female and non-binary people with disabilities: An exploratory study to formulate future research opportunities. Fashion Practice, 16(3), 468–490. https://doi.org/10.1080/17569370.2024.2312928

  • Wu, J., Zhao, L., & McBee-Black, K. (Submitted December 2025). A case study to develop a functional ski jacket for sit skiers: User-centered design method. International Journal of Clothing Science and Technology.

  • Wu, J., Lansdell, L. E., & McBee-Black, K. (Minor revision, November 2025). Inclusive user-centered design for menstrual health: Developing adaptive period underwear for women wheelchair users. Clothing and Textiles Research Journal. 

  • McBee-Black, K., & Wu, J. (First revision, October 2025). “It felt like a hug”: Wear testing of a weighted Champion hoodie to assess comfort, fit, and mobility. Fashion Practice. 

Juried Design Exhibits

  • Wu, J., & *Lansdell, L. E. (2025). Development and evaluation of adaptive period underwear for women wheelchair users. International Textile and Apparel Association, St. Louis, MO. Acceptance rate: 36.5%. Abstract: https://doi.org/10.31274/itaa.21521

  • Wu, J. (2025). Development of an adaptive ski jacket for alpine recreational sit skiers: User-centered design method. Costume Society of America, Los Angeles, CA.

  • Wu, J., McBee-Black, K., & Zhao, L. (2023). Developing a functional, expressive, and aesthetic outdoor jacket for Generation Z wheelchair users. International Textile and Apparel Association, Baltimore, MD.

  • Wu, J., & McBee-Black, K. (2023). Functional period underwear for transgender and gender non-conforming people. Costume Society of America, Salt Lake City, UT.

  • Wu, J., & McBee-Black, K. (2022). Functional period underwear for people with disabilities. International Textile and Apparel Association, Denver, CO.

  • Wu, J. (2025). An adaptive outdoor jacket for wheelchair users. Creative Showcase 2025. Jule Collins Smith Museum of Fine Art, Auburn University, AL. 

Refereed Presentations with Abstracts Published in Proceedings

  • Wu, J., Chen, P., & Lee, Y. A. (2025). Exploring needs and solutions of adaptive period underwear for caregivers of individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities. ITAA Annual Conference Proceedings, 1(1). https://doi.org/10.31274/itaa.21742

  • Wu, J., *Lansdell, L. E., & McBee-Black, K. (2025). Apparel therapy for performance of menstrual hygiene management: Developing functional period underwear for women with physical disabilities. ITAA Annual Conference Proceedings, 1(1). https://doi.org/10.31274/itaa.21522

  • Wu, J., & *Lansdell, L. E. (2025). Development and evaluation of an adaptive period underwear for women wheelchair users. ITAA Annual Conference Proceedings, 1(1). https://doi.org/10.31274/itaa.21521

  • Wu, J., *Mohanty, S., & Kim, J. H. (2025). Biomechanical analysis of elbow joint angle variations in recreational downhill sit skiers using motion sensors. International Conference on Human–Computer Interaction (pp. 322–330). Springer. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-032-12764-8_29

  • Lee, J. E., & Wu, J. (2025). How inclusive marketing influences perceived human traits in branding. ITAA Annual Conference Proceedings, 1(1). https://doi.org/10.31274/itaa.21879

  • *Barsha, U. H., *Ahmed, F. B., Wu, J., & *Khan, B. U. (2025). Improving sustainability in fashion design through generative AI: Tools and applications. ITAA Annual Conference Proceedings, 1(1). https://doi.org/10.31274/itaa.21921

  • *Sidberry, P., Wu, J., & Chattaraman, V. (2025). A conceptual model of organizational culture for successful digital product development. ITAA Annual Conference Proceedings, 1(1). https://doi.org/10.31274/itaa.21902

  • McBee-Black, K., & Wu, J. (2025). “It felt like a hug”: The wear testing of a weighted Champion hoodie to assess comfort, fit, and mobility. ITAA Annual Conference Proceedings, 1(1). https://doi.org/10.31274/itaa.21532

  • Wu, J., Kopot, C., & Zhao, L. (2024). Improving inter-functional coordination in apparel companies through digital transformation. ITAA Annual Conference Proceedings, 80(1). https://doi.org/10.31274/itaa.17224

  • Wu, J. (2025). From concept to comfort: Integrating digital technologies in user-centered designs for adaptive clothing. ITAA Annual Conference Proceedings, 81(1). https://doi.org/10.31274/itaa.18639

  • McBee-Black, K., Rana, M. R. I., Ipaye, H., Wu, J., & Burns, C. (2024). Exploring intimate apparel challenges and consumer satisfaction among female and non-binary individuals with disabilities. ITAA Annual Conference Proceedings, 80(1). https://doi.org/10.31274/itaa.17090

  • Wu, J., McBee-Black, K., & Zhao, L. (2024). Exploring functional, expressive, and aesthetic needs of Generation Z wheelchair users. ITAA Annual Conference Proceedings, 80(1). https://doi.org/10.31274/itaa.17246

  • McBee-Black, K., Kealy-Morris, E., Gooding, J., & Wu, J. (2024). Digital d-commerce: The need for inclusive representation in the digital apparel retail environment. Digital Fashion Innovation Conference, Manchester Metropolitan University, Manchester, UK. https://e-space.mmu.ac.uk/id/eprint/635366

  • Wu, J., Kim, J. H., & Zhao, L. (2023). Exploring smart sportswear for sit skiers: A human-centered design approach. International Conference on Human–Computer Interaction (pp. 655–663). Springer Nature Switzerland. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-031-36001-5_84

  • Wu, J., Zhao, L., & Kopot, C. (2022). The evolving role of designers in the digital transformation of the apparel industry. ITAA Annual Conference Proceedings. https://doi.org/10.31274/itaa.15863

Refereed Presentations at Professional Meetings without Abstracts Published

  • Wu, J., Michaelson, M., *Mohanty, S., & Kim, J. H. (2025). Biomechanical analysis of elbow movements in downhill sit skiing: Integrating motion sensor data to enhance adaptive ski jacket development—a pilot case study. International Textile and Apparel Association Annual Conference, St. Louis, MO.

  • Wu, J., Zhao, L., McBee-Black, K., & Lee, Y. A. (2025). Identifying alpine recreational sit skiers’ needs for adaptive ski jackets and evaluating virtual prototypes. International Textile and Apparel Association Annual Conference, St. Louis, MO.

  • *Lansdell, L. E., & Wu, J. (2025). Content analysis of online reviews to understand the functional, expressive, and aesthetic needs of period underwear for women with disabilities. International Textile and Apparel Association Annual Conference, St. Louis, MO.

  • Wu, J., Miller, M., & McBee-Black, K. (2023). Exploring the design of functional period underwear for transgender and gender non-conforming people. Costume Society of America Annual Conference, Salt Lake City, UT.

Honors and Awards

Teaching Excellence

  • 2025 – 1st Place, Nancy Rutherford Teaching Innovation Award, International Textile and Apparel Association Conference ($500)

  • 2025 – Faculty Advisor, AATCC C2C Student Design & Merchandising Competition, Third Place ($500)

  • 2025 – Faculty Advisor, FSF Scholarship Recipient ($10,000)

  • 2025 – Faculty Advisor, FSF & Virgil Abloh™ “Post-Modern” Scholarship Recipient($10,000)

  • 2025 – Faculty Advisor, CADS 3970 Project approved for Tiger Giving Day 2026 (Goal: $10,000)

Research Excellence

  • 2025 – Paper of Distinction Award, ITAA Conference (Pedagogy & Professional Development Track)

  • 2025 – 1st Place, Launch Your Social Impact Competition, Auburn University ($1,500)

  • 2025 – Auburn Research Communications Fellow, Auburn University

Grants

Extramural Grants Submitted / Pending

  • Kim, J. H., Wu, J. (Co-PI), Wang, F., Owens, K., Allen, S., Wang, Y., & Na, H. S. (08/01/2026–07/31/2030). Collaborative Research: SCH: Co-adaptive mixed reality training with multimodal sensing in physics-based trauma simulation. National Science Foundation. Total: $1,099,023; Wu: $99,694 (20% contribution).

  • Chen, P., Wu, J. (Co-PI), Ding, F., Wang, J., Zhou, L., & Zhu, R. (06/01/2026–05/31/2030). Collaborative Research: SCH: Wearable intelligent sensing underwear (WISE) for smart healthcare in underserved populations.National Science Foundation. Total: $1,199,999; Wu: $320,000 (30% contribution).

Grants Funded

  • Wu, J. (PI), Chen, P., & Lee, Y. A. (2025–2027). Healthcare apparel innovation: Functional textile-based sensor system development using writable bioink technology. Research Support Program, Auburn University, $50,000 (50% contribution).

  • Wu, J. (PI) & Lee, Y. A. (2025). Immersive VR Presentation: Developing a Virtual Fashion Show Experience by Integrating VR Technology into Apparel Design Curriculum. Auburn Immersive Learning Experiences Program (AUX), Auburn University, $34,936.11 (70% contribution).

  • Wu, J. (PI). (2025). Handheld 3D Body Scanner for Inclusive Design in Computer-Aided Apparel Courses. Daniel F. Breeden Endowed Grant Program, Auburn University, $4,000.

Grants Submitted but Not Funded

  • Wu, J. (PI) & Lee, Y. A. (2025). Digital Cotton: Enhancing Material Literacy through 3D Simulated Fashion Runway Collection. Cotton in the Curriculum Grant Program (2026), $34,656 (65% contribution).

  • Wu, J. (PI), Chen, P., & Lee, Y. A. (2025). Adaptive period underwear development integrating with wearable alarm system for autistic individuals. Organization for Autism Research, $47,925 (50% contribution).

  • Wu, J. (2025). Enhancing Menstrual Care for Women with Disabilities: An Initiative for Adaptive Period Underwear Donation and Educational Workshops. Women Philanthropy Board, Auburn University, $7,000.