Presenter

Rinako is a Human-Centered Design Strategist at Uism, a Tokyo-based consultancy specializing in user experience and human factors. Born in Japan and raised in the U.S., she earned her master’s degree in behavioral science from University College London, where she focused on how cultural and cognitive factors shape the design and evaluation of products and services.

At Uism, Rinako applies her unique cross-cultural expertise to complex research challenges in technology and healthcare, with a focus on medical devices and medical AI. She specializes in designing and conducting multilingual user studies that uncover deep insights into cultural nuances—a critical skill as global companies expand HFE activities in Asia. Rinako also guides clients in Japan who are new to HFE, helping them successfully integrate human factors principles into their development processes. As a researcher fluent in Japanese and English, Rinako is instrumental in bridging international teams and local users in cross-border studies. She offers a vital perspective on the practical application of human factors in Asia, particularly in navigating the unique landscape of the Japanese market.