The Department of Human Centered Design & Engineering mourns the loss of alumna Karen Kasonic who passed away on January 14, 2023, after a long struggle with breast cancer.

Karen Kasonic graduated from HCDE's Master of Science in Technical Communication program in 2001. After graduating she went on to teach technical communication courses at UW, and served as the program director for the Engineering Communication Program.

"My thoughts are with Karen's family, friends, and all of the students whose lives she has touched over the years," said HCDE Professor and Chair Julie Kientz. "Karen was an exemplary educator and an advocate for UW students. She leaves a lasting legacy in the UW Engineering community."

View Karen's obituary in the Seattle Times.

In lieu of flowers, Karen's family asks for donations to the Kasonic HER2+ cancer research fund at the UW School of Medicine or to a charity of the donor's choice.