Dance is a movement. Not just in a literal sense, but in the way it is able to connect people and preserve their cultures. For many indigenous communities, dance is the way they are able to narrate history, express emotions, and build unity. However, those very dances are at the risk of disappearing, and with it, the indigenous history as well. 

 

For PhD candidate Nuela Enebechi, dance has always been a central part of her life. From a very young age, she was performing in local dance competitions and events. As a member of the Igbo Tribe, she knows firsthand the importance of dance in her culture. By merging her passion for her community and her training as a human factors researcher, Enebechi was able to develop a way to preserve history, keeping cultures alive.

 

Her research, titled “Motion Capture Engineering: Preserving Cultural Dance Heritage” is Enebechi’s solution to the risk of losing culturally significant dances. By using advanced AI and emerging technology such as extended reality and motion capture, Enebechi is able to accurately map human movements. She uses thousands of data points per movement across multiple dimensions of space, which are then cleaned and archived for cultures to remember. 

 

“Every culture deserves the technology and tools to preserve the movements they value,” says Enebechi. “Some dances are the only libraries a community has ever had.” Her dedication to her mission earned Enebechi the People’s Choice Award in the 3 Minute Thesis Competition. As the name suggests, PhD candidates are challenged to present their research in 3 minutes, using only one slide. Not only that, but they must cater their presentation to a non-specialized audience, making what would be a complex idea into something that is accessible and impactful. In her presentation, not only did Enebechi advance more inclusive and equitable design, but she was able to showcase how her research integrated engineering with emotion. This compelling storytelling resonated with her broader audience, honoring Enebechi with the title of People’s Choice Winner.

 

One of Enebechi’s most significant commitments is to ensure voices of those often overlooked are included in the universal design process. Whether this comes through in her research topic of preserving cultures and diversity, or even serving as a mentor to future graduates, Enebechi prioritizes her ability to support the Purdue community. As a PhD candidate, she has served in many leadership and mentorship capacities, aiding undergraduates in bringing human-centered design to community based projects. Beyond that, she has gained industry experience as a Human Factors Research Scientist Intern at Apple. Her research aided in the development of the first spatial computer and Apple Vision Pro.

 

Whether it be at Purdue, Apple, or in her home country of Nigeria, Enebechi’s dedication to bringing something new to the table never falters. Her research promotes the accessibility of data-driven technologies, an effort that will no doubt be appreciated by cultures and communities around the world, seeking to preserve their history. Enebechi’s specialization in human factors and human-computer interactions aptly combines Industrial Engineering with global culture, producing a real-world impact that keeps heritage alive.