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Assistant Professor
Heloísa SERATIUK FLORES
Assistant Professor, Institute for Asian and Oceanian Studies
Product Design, Healthcare Specialization
Heloisa is a Brazilian product designer passionate about creating tangible and measurable impacts in people's lives by improving healthcare. She specialises in lower limb prostheses and innovation, aiming to bridge the gap between design, medicine, and engineering. Through design, she focuses on developing practical solutions that are deeply attuned to users' needs.
Biography
2022-2025: Doctor of Engineering, Kyushu University
2020-2022: Master of Design, Kyushu University
2019-2022: Research Student in Design, Kyushu University
2013-2018: Bachelor of Product Design, Federal University of Paraná (UFPR)
Awards:
2025 Kyushu University Faculty of Arts and Sciences Student Award
2023 Woman in Digital Human Modeling Award
2023 Kyushu University 3 Minutes Thesis Award - 1st Place
2019 Tomie Ohtake/Leroy Merlin Product Design Award - 1st Place
2019 13th Brazilian Biennial of Graphic Design
2018 Federal University of Paraná Thesis Award - 2nd Place
2020-2022: Master of Design, Kyushu University
2019-2022: Research Student in Design, Kyushu University
2013-2018: Bachelor of Product Design, Federal University of Paraná (UFPR)
Awards:
2025 Kyushu University Faculty of Arts and Sciences Student Award
2023 Woman in Digital Human Modeling Award
2023 Kyushu University 3 Minutes Thesis Award - 1st Place
2019 Tomie Ohtake/Leroy Merlin Product Design Award - 1st Place
2019 13th Brazilian Biennial of Graphic Design
2018 Federal University of Paraná Thesis Award - 2nd Place
Overview of Research
Heloísa's previous research explored the aesthetics of prostheses as well as the biomechanical implications of using sports-specific prostheses for cycling. At Q-AOS, her research will focus on the relationship between users and prostheses, examining how cultural and social contexts influence their acceptance and use, both in terms of appearance and function.
Despite significant technological advancements, the rates of prosthesis use and embodiment have remained relatively low over the past 25 years, particularly for upper-limb prostheses. By studying the acceptance of prostheses across various Asian and Oceanic countries, this research aims to inform design approaches that consider sociocultural nuances, ensuring these devices are better integrated and accepted by users.
Despite significant technological advancements, the rates of prosthesis use and embodiment have remained relatively low over the past 25 years, particularly for upper-limb prostheses. By studying the acceptance of prostheses across various Asian and Oceanic countries, this research aims to inform design approaches that consider sociocultural nuances, ensuring these devices are better integrated and accepted by users.
Related Countries in Asia and Oceania
Japan, South Korea, Thailand, Indonesia, The Philippines, Australia, New Zealand
Message
I believe that research has the power to improve lives universally, and I am grateful to be developing my career at Q-AOS. Here, I have the opportunity to engage in interdisciplinary research and outreach activities while also gaining deeper insights into various countries across Asia and Oceania. This experience will help expand the reach and impact of research. I look forward to exploring the many possibilities that Q-AOS has to offer.
Affiliations with Academic Societies & Committee Activities
Human Factors Transforming Healthcare
66th Japanese Ergonomics Society Conference Committee Member
66th Japanese Ergonomics Society Conference Committee Member
Key Achievements
- Heloísa Seratiuk Flores; Wen Liang Yeoh; Ping Yeap Loh; Kosuke Morinaga; Satoshi Muraki. Biomechanical Effects of Saddle Height Changes in Leisure Cycling with Unilateral Transtibial Prostheses. PLOS One, 2025.
- Heloísa Seratiuk Flores; Wen Liang Yeoh; Ping Yeap Loh; Kosuke Morinaga; Satoshi Muraki. Biomechanical Analysis of Recreational Cycling with Unilateral Transtibial Prostheses. Prosthesis, 2023.
3
- Heloísa Seratiuk Flores; Ana Christina Cabral Wasen; Kosuke Morinaga. Lower Limb Prostheses: Co-Designing Form and Function. Exploring Research Through Co-Design (Accepted for Publication).
- Federico Tessari; Marek Sierotowicz; Sabine Thuerauf; Heloísa Seratiuk Flores; Jonas Grau Thomsen; Matteo Laffranchi; Lorenzo De Michieli; Emanuele Gruppioni; Satoshi Muraki; Letizia Leocani; Giampaolo Brichetto; Loredana Zollo; Claudio Castellini; Giacinto Barresi. Human Factors in Robotics for Motor Rehabilitation, Assistance, and Prosthetics. Ergonomics in Robotics Vol. I (Accepted for Publication).
5
- Heloísa Seratiuk Flores; Wen Liang Yeoh; Kosuke Morinaga; Satoshi Muraki. Joint Movement Assessment Applied to Unilateral Amputee Cycling. Advances in Digital Human Modeling, 2023.