“Technology should serve people first.”

I am a PhD researcher in Human–Computer Interaction at Santa Clara University, advised by Kai Lukoff. My research explores how generative computing, where software, interfaces, and interactions can be dynamically generated and reshaped by AI, can expand what people can create and accomplish.

My research interests include AI-assisted design and development, particularly how generative computing blurs the boundaries between designing, developing, and using software; Generative User Interfaces (GenUI), where interfaces are generated as outputs of generative computing processes; and user-defined computing, where people use generative computing to shape how interfaces look and behave at runtime.

I'm open to working with undergraduate and master's students! Read my papers and email me if interested.

Publications

  • Teaser figure for Jacaranda

    UIST 2026 Adjunct

    Jacaranda: Grafting User-Editable Web Experiences Across Sites

    Xinqi Zhang, Mingyuan Zhong, Longjie Guo, Bryan Min, Yuanhao Zhang, Kai Lukoff

    DOIProject

    • User-defined computing
    • GenUI
  • Teaser figure for Generative Design and Vibe Coding

    CHI 2026 Extended Abstracts

    Generative Design and Vibe Coding: Rethinking The Design-Development Divide for UI Prototyping

    Xinqi Zhang, Hariharan Subramonyam, Advait Sarkar, Ian Drosos, Zichao Wang, Kyungho Lee, Veronica Pimenova, Xiang 'Anthony' Chen, Kai Lukoff

    DOIPDF

    • AI-assisted Design and Development
  • Teaser figure for User Agency in Runtime Malleable Software Under Change Aversion

    CHI 2026 Workshop on Generative UI

    User Agency in Runtime Malleable Software Under Change Aversion

    Xinqi Zhang, Bryan Min, Shizhao (Lawrence) Liu, Kai Lukoff

    PaperWorkshop

    • User-defined computing
    • GenUI
Full list on Google Scholar →

Teaching

  • CSEN 174 · Software Engineering

    Teaching Assistant, Santa Clara University · Fall 2025, Spring 2026, Fall 2026

Service

Reviewer
CHI 2025, 2026 · UIST 2025 · DIS 2025 · IUI 2026 (Posters) · CUI 2025 · C&C 2025 · MobileHCI 2025 · IMX 2025 · INTERACT 2025 · SUI 2025 · WHC 2025
Volunteer
CHI 2026 Accessibility Team · AWE USA 2024

Last Updated: October 9, 2026