Young A Lee, Ph.D.

Young A Lee, Ph.D.

  • Department Head & Under Armour Professor
(334) 844-6458
yzl0241@auburn.edu
3402A Haley Center
Google Scholar
LinkedIn
Download CV
ORCID link

Dr. Young-A Lee has achieved scholarly accomplishments with an established record of productive, independent, transferrable, and impactful research affecting diverse population, such as aged, disabled, or engaged in hazardous activity. Dr. Lee made significant contributions in the area of product design and development with the seamless integration of innovative design technologies and sustainability practices. Her scholarship, consisting of research and creative activities, focuses on the STEM in Fashion under the framework, “Leading edge technology application to sustainable product design, development, and evaluation for health and well-being of people and the planet.” Her creative scholarship often derives from her research activities using emerging concepts such as sustainability, material innovation, wearable technology, 3D printing, and virtual prototyping. Prior to join in Auburn University in 2018, Dr. Lee have worked 13 years in two different land grant institutions: Iowa State University (2008-2018) and Florida State University (2005-2008) with her strong passion and commitment to teaching, research, and service. She has co-authored with over 220 works including over 50 peer-reviewed full-length research papers, 1 edited book, 4 book chapters, 26 juried design exhibits tied with her research program, over 120 refereed international and national conference presentations, and more than 60 invited presentations at the international, national, regional, or local level in the area of her research scholarship. She also has been the recipient of various external funds (e.g., EPA P3 Award, EPA P3 Phase II Winner, Department of Justice Phase I Body Armor Challenge Award, Cotton, Inc.) and numerous awards showcasing her excellence in research, education, and service. Naming a few awards includes AU Spirit of Sustainability Award (2021), ITAA Best of Show Design Award (2021), ITAA Optitex Award for Excellent in Teaching (2020), ITAA Service Award (2018), ITAA Mid-Career Excellent Award (2016), best paper awards, and many more. She recently worked on the scale development of wearable technology in fashion, sustainability practices via Alabama Cotton AwaREness (CARE) funded by Cotton Inc., and functional/performance wear design, development, and evaluation using emerging design technologies for healthcare workers (funded by Auburn’s Internal Grant Program; AAES Hatch Project). Lastly, Dr. Lee welcomes new challenges, dedicates her time to learn current phenomena, and is passionate to share her discovery with future generation.

Education

  • Ph.D. Design and ManagementCollege of Human Ecology, Michigan State University, Human Environment2025

  • M.A. Apparel and TextilesCollege of Human Ecology, Michigan State University2001

Professional Experience

Selected Academic Editorial Service:

  • External Reviewer, Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) P3 Program (2016)

  • External Reviewer, LA Board of Regents Support Fund Social Sciences Enhancement (2018-present)

  • External Reviewer, Research Grants Council of Hong Kong (2015-present)

  • Associate Editor, Family & Consumer Sciences Research Journal (2013-2021)

  • Guest Editor of 3D Printing and Wearable Technology in Fashion, Fashion &Textiles (2016-2018)

  • Associate Editor, Clothing and Textiles Research Journal (2017-2023)

  • NSF Review Panel (2023)

Selected Honors and Awards since 2016:

  • TAPAC Board of Commissioner (BOC) (2024-2026)

  • Auburn Author Awards (2023)

  • Optitex Technology Award-Design Scholarship (2022)

  • Two ITAA Paper of Distinction Award (2022-TASTrack & TAI Track)

  • AU Spirit of Sustainability Award (2021)

  • ITAA VP of Awards (2021-2023)

  • Vince Quevedo Award for Best of Show (2021)

  • French European Inc. Innovative Design Award (2021)

  • ITAA Paper of Distinction Award (2020-CB Track)

  • ITAA Paper of Distinction Award (2020-DPD Track)

  • EFI Optitex Award for Excellence in Teaching (2019)

  • ITAA Paper of Distinction Award (2017-TAS Track)

  • ITAA Paper of Distinction Award (2019-PED Track)

  • ITAA Service Award (2018)

  • Fashion and Textiles Best Paper Award: Humanities/social sciences area (2018)

  • ITAA Paper of Distinction Award (2017-TAS Track)

  • ESRAP Research Award (2017)

  • 2016-2017 ISU Emerging Leaders Academy Cohort

  • ITAA Mid-Career Excellence Award (2016)

  • Excellence in Reviewing Award for the CTRJ (2016)

  • Outstanding Paper Winner in the 2016 Emerald Literati Network Award

Innovation

Selected Publications:

Kabir, S., Li, Y., & Lee, Y. A. (2025). Critical dialogs of 3D printing waste recycling in circular fashion. In M. Bartekova (Ed.), International Business Research – Traditional and Creative Approaches, IntechOpen. ISBN 978-0-85466-800-7. DOI: 10.5772/intechopen.1011995

Kabir, S., Li, Y., & Salahuddin, M., & Lee, Y. A. (2023). Drapability of 3D printed auxetic structure textiles for wearable products through the digital image processing technique. Clothing and Textiles Research Journal. https://doi.org/10.1177/0887302X231202223

Lee, Y. A., & Salahuddin, M. (2023). Evaluating healthcare workers’ current isolation design features and maintenance practices for their safety and protection. International Journal of Fashion Design, Technology and Education, 16(3), 330-339. https://doi.org/10.1080/17543266.2023.2218402

Lee, Y. A. Ed. Vol. 6. (2022). Leading Edge Technologies in Fashion Innovation: Product Design and Development Process from Materials to the End Products to Consumers, in Palgrave Series in Practice: Global Fashion Brand Management. New York, NY: Palgrave Macmillam. ISBN 978-3-030-91134-8.

Lee, Y. A. (2022). Trends of emerging technologies in the fashion product design and development process. In Y. A. Lee (Ed.), Leading Edge Technologies in Fashion Innovation: Product Design and Development Process from Materials to the End Products to Consumers, Palgrave Macmillan.

Salahuddin, M., & Lee, Y. A. (2022). Automation with robotics in garment manufacturing. In Y. A. Lee (Ed.), Leading Edge Technologies in Fashion Innovation: Product Design and Development Process from Materials to the End Products to Consumers, Palgrave Macmillan.

Lee, Y. A., Salahuddin, M., Gibson-Young, L., & Oliver, G. D. (2021). Assessing personal protective equipment needs for healthcare workers. Health Science Reports, 4(3), e370.

Bakhshian, S., & Lee, Y. A. (2022). Social acceptability and product attributes of smart apparel: Their effects on consumers’ attitude and use intention. The Journal of the Textile Institute, 113(4), 671-680. https://doi.org/10.1080/00405000.2021.1898138

Lee, Y. A., Min, S-H., & Koo, H. (2021). Apparel Design scholarship practices and its implication: Analysis of ITAA professionals’ design abstracts from 1999 to 2017. Clothing and Textiles Research Journal, 39(2), 106-122.

Salahuddin, M., & Lee, Y. A. (2020). Identifying key quality features for wearable technology embedded products using the Kano model. International Journal of Clothing Science and Technology, 33(1), 93-105. https://doi.org/10.1108/IJCST-08-2019-0130

 

Selected Juried Design Exhibition OR Refereed Proceedings:

Lee, Y. A., & Li, Y. (2022). Consonance of 3D printed fiber network. Innovate to Elevate: Design Exhibition. International Textile and Apparel Association, Denver, CO

Lee, Y. A., & Li, Y. (2021). Bouncing with 3D printed soft cells, International Textile and Apparel Association, 78(1). https://doi.org/10.31274/itaa.13291 [Vince Quevedo Award for Best of Show]

Li, Y., & Lee, Y. A. (2021). Modularity in 3D printed backpack, International Textile and Apparel Association, 78(1). https://doi.org/10.31274/itaa.13456 [French European Inc. Innovative Design Award]