Team Member

Mechanical Design Specialist

summerkj@uvic.ca

canassist@uvic.ca

As the mechanical design specialist, Summer takes an active role in designing and manufacturing CanAssist’s custom and broader impact assistive technologies.

A graduate of the University of Victoria with a bachelor’s degree in mechanical engineering, Summer is passionate about leveraging her skills in design, manufacturing, and pedagogy to create a more inclusive and accessible world. She has a diverse background, including creating parts for aeronautical, medical, and research industries.

Her experience spans a variety of unique projects including psychological research on the benefits of project-based learning to building 3D printed prosthetics and robotics. These diverse experiences fuel her innovative approach to creating solutions that are not only effective but also empower individuals.

In her free time Summer enjoys camping, sewing, going to the gym, and seeing live music. Summer’s favourite shows have been Weezer, The Flaming Lips, Poppy, and Mac Sabbath.

I acklowledge and deeply appreciate the lands of the indigenous Hawaiian peoples whose lands I grew up on. I have a deep appreciation for the beautiful lands that raised and nourished me and bring this same love to the lands of the Lək̓ʷəŋən (Songhees and Xʷsepsəm/Esquimalt) peoples on whose territory I live and work, and the Lək̓ʷəŋən and W̱SÁNEĆ Peoples whose historical relationships with the land continue to this day. I am committed to continuing my lifelong learning of decolonization and indigenous ways of being.