Dr. Leia Stirling

Professor

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Biography

Leia Stirling is a Professor in the Department of Industrial and Operations Engineering at the University of Michigan. She holds a PhD from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology in Aeronautical and Astronautical Engineering. Leia's research is focused on interdisciplinary areas that integrate human factors, biomechanics, and robotics. She leads a research group that aims to understand the physical and cognitive interactions that influence goal-oriented human task performance and operational decision-making. Her work addresses critical issues such as the reduction of musculoskeletal injury risks, enhancement of telehealth solutions, and improvement of technology usability. In addition to her academic duties, she serves as the Director of the Center for Ergonomics and is an Affiliate Faculty member at the Space Institute. Leia has received numerous accolades for her contributions to teaching and research, including the University of Michigan Rackham Graduate School Partnerships for Access, Community, Excellence Fellowship and the Neil Van Eenam Memorial Undergraduate Teaching Award.

Research Interests

Experience

Director

2009-01-01 — Present

Center for Ergonomics • University of Michigan

Leads a research group focused on human factors and ergonomics.

Associate Chair Undergraduate Studies

2020-01-01 — Present

Department of Industrial and Operations Engineering • University of Michigan

Oversees undergraduate studies and curriculum development.

Awards

#2025

Neil Van Eenam Memorial Undergraduate Teaching Award

2025-01-01
#2024

Rackham Graduate School PACE Fellowship

2024-01-01
#2023

Martin Luther King Jr. Spirit Award

2023-01-01
#2021

Wilson Faculty Fellowship

2021-01-01
#2020

Outstanding Recent Alumnus Award

2020-01-01
#2016

NAE Frontiers of Engineering Symposium Participant

2016-01-01
#2015

NSF CAREER Award

2015-01-01

Requirements for University of Michigan

Master Program
Requirements
GPA Requirement
Required:3.5
TOEFL
Total
Required:84
GRE General
Verbal
Required:155
Verbal Percentile
Required:50
Quantitative
Required:168
Quantitative Percentile
Required:50
Analytical Writing
Required:3.6
Writing Percentile
Required:50
Prerequisites
Bachelor degree in engineering, physics, or mathematics Calculus Physics
Application Checklist
  • Rackham Graduate School Application
  • Official Transcripts
  • 3 Letters of Recommendation
  • Academic Statement of Purpose
  • Personal Statement
  • CV/Resume
Specialization Notes

Department of Electrical Engineering and Computer Science