Aoi Anne Hunsaker
Research + Art
I am a first-year PhD student at the Unviersity of Washington studying comparative hearing science.In my work, I create illustrations to intuitively communicate scientific ideas. I also utilize 3D modeling and coding to create custom experimental software and hardware.
Areas of Research
Psychoacoustics
- Impact of earplug use on sound localization accuracy- HRTF (Head-Related Transfer Function) measurements using custom 3D-modeled parts- Auditory Evoked Potentials (e.g., ABR) using bone-conduction stimuli and nasopharyngeal electrodes
Comparative Hearing Science
- Identifying hearing-related anatomy, physiology, and behavior across species (i.e., fish, reptiles, birds, mammals)- Biomimetic applications of animal hearing systems (e.g., 3D modeling of anatomy, imitation of communication signals, development of biomimetic technology etc.)
Research Skills
Software
MATLAB: Analyzing data and developing experimental softwareAdobe Illustrator and Photoshop: Research poster design and scientific illustrationAutodesk Fusion 360: Modeling of experimental hardware partsBlender: Manipulation of 3D scanned objects (e.g., human ears)
Hardware
3D modeling and printing custom hardware (e.g., Accelerometer cases, ball and socket joints, etc.)Soldering simple circuits (e.g., LED circuits and electrodes)
Scientific Illustration
I co-own a scientific illustration company called Zukan Studio. I am the company illustrator.Our mission is to create clean and accurate illustrations that convey complex scientific ideas intuitively.
I have also contributed illustrations in a comparative hearing science paper.
General Interests
Art
I also like to illustrate things that are not scientific!
Music
I gravitate towards indie and electronic music (e.g., Khruangbin, Boy Pablo, SG Lewis, Daft Punk).I also like to play songs in minor keys on the piano!
Languages
Japanese and Spanish日本とアメリカのハーフです。子供の頃から、夏休みの度に大阪にいる親戚を訪ねています。大学卒業のあと、2年間JETプログラムのALTとして鳥取県で働きました。Estudiaba español durante toda la escuela secundaria y la universidad. Puedo leer y escribir en español ¡pero necesito practicar hablar más! Mi canción española favorita es La Gata Bajo La Lluvia por Rocío Dúrcal 🐱