Yichi Zhang is a PhD student in the Interdisciplinary Design and Media program at Northeastern University, working with the Playful Mind Lab and the Games for Life research team. Her research explores how virtual environments shape user experience, engagement, and cognition, with a particular focus on older adults and immersive technologies. Drawing from grounded cognition, appraisal theory, environmental psychology, and human-computer interaction, her work investigates how the design of environmental cues within virtual experiences influence users’ emotions, motivation, and behavior.
Her current dissertation examines how different forms of environmental cues—including spatial structures, objects, social atmospheres, and situational context—can be deliberately designed to influence and contribute to users’ emotions, cognitions, and engagement behaviors in immersive systems. Her work aims to develop frameworks for understanding and designing environmental cues as intentional design strategies within VR and interactive experiences.
In addition to her dissertation research, Yichi works on projects related to healthy aging, game accessibility, and AI-assisted gaming experiences for older adults. She has contributed to studies on exergames, co-design with older adult gamers, and the role of artificial intelligence in supporting accessible and meaningful play experiences.
Research/Publications Highlights
Zhang, Y., Lyman, B., Pearce, C., Kim, M., Harteveld, C., Chukoskie, L., & De Schutter, B. (2026). Integrating artificial intelligence as assistive technology for older adult gamers: A pilot study. Journal of Games, Self, & Society (Games for Good 2025 Conference Proceedings), 4, 127–153. IThrive Games / History Co & Play Story Press. https://doi.org/10.17613/wvepr-20076
Zhang, Y., Lyman, B., Harteveld, C., Pearce, C., Kim, M., De Schutter, B., & Chukoskie, L. (2025). Exploring 50+ adults’ gaming experiences and AI perceptions [Research Report]. Games for Life, Northeastern University. https://doi.org/10.17760/D20794596
Lyman, B., Zhang, Y., Pearce, C., Kim, M., Harteveld, C., Chukoskie, L., & De Schutter, B. (2026). AI, aging well, and accessible digital games: The supplemental role of AI in accessible game design for older adults. *The Gerontologist*, gnag055. https://doi.org/10.1093/geront/gnag055
Qian, Y., Schwartz, A., Jung, A., Zhang, Y., Seitz, U., Wilds, G., Kim, M., Kramer, A. F., & Chukoskie, L. (2024). The Influence of Separate and Combined Exercise and Foreign Language Acquisition on Learning and Cognition. Brain Sciences, 14(6), 572. https://doi.org/10.3390/brainsci14060572
Departments
Interdisciplinary, Architecture
Education
- MS, Game Science and Design, Northeastern University
- BA, Architectural Design, University of Washington
Awards
- MS Game Science and Design Award, Department of Art + Design, Northeastern University (Department Student Awards), 2024
Research Focus
- Virtual Reality (VR)
- Environmental Design
- User Experience
- Human-Computer Interaction (HCI)
- Healthy Aging and Older Adult Gaming