Assistant Professor Luisa Gil Fandino has been on the TXA Faculty for over 5-1/2 years teaching TXA 305-Intro to Textiles and TXA 360L-Advanced Textiles Lab. She's also passionate about researching how textiles techniques could be applied to technology and how we can make the supply chain of textiles more sustainable. Along with a team from UT Computer Sciences, she presented at Siggraph, a premier conference on computer graphics and interactive techniques. Luisa is also the owner of Fandindo where she makes unique textiles she has designed, shown below.
Awards & Grants
- Experiential Learning Initiative Grant for course development 2020-2021
- UT Provost Office Seed Grant 2020: Action To Promote Community Transformation (ACT): Funding to create the UT Chapter of "Cientifico Latino", an organization that aims to guide minorities through mentorship, events and workshops to apply to graduate school and research positions. Coming soon!
- President's Award for Global Learning 2019-2020: Sustainable Embellishments for the Apparel and Textile Industry in Copenhagen: Awarded a grant to go to Denmark for up to ten weeks and work with KEA Design College in the development of biodegradable buttons, trims, sequins and more.
- Interdisciplinary Team Award -Visualizing Science - College of Natural Science 2019
- College of Natural Science Outstanding Teaching and Service Award, Spring 2019
- University of Texas Innovation grant, Renue Labs-Consultant, 2018
- TIDES Institute, Course Redesign Award. Summer 2018
What other UT departments are you associated with and how does this relate to your TXA work?
I have worked with Computer Science in the development of code for three-dimensional weaving, I have worked with Mechanical Engineering in the design of a robot for stroke. I have been part of the faculty team for the Advanced Nanotechnology for Beginners Maymester in Japan and part of the team for the UT Portugal program. I have also been a guest lecturer for the Theatre and Dance programs and the graduate Interior design program in the School of Architecture.
When you're not working, what do you do?
Textiles all day every day. I'm passionate about textile art and I try to learn techniques for it. I'm very involved in the art community in Austin and I'm part of the board of Austin School of Fiber Arts where I help bring artists from all over the world to teach a fiber art technique. I make fiber art pieces myself, sometimes for commissions, and I also design fabrics and sell them. The picture to the right is at an art installation at a private residence.
I've been practicing yoga for thirteen years and I also do barre. I enjoy Austin's vast gastronomic offerings with my husband and hikes with my rescued dog, Lupita.
What moment at UT-Austin stands out as the most memorable?
The fashion show and graduation ceremonies are always very emotional for me but when students tell me they completed a certificate or won a competition they found out about through me, it makes me very, very happy.
Who had the greatest influence on your education and/or career path?
I think there are a few people but mostly my parents and people who have been willing to sit with me and share their own personal experiences. People who, no matter how successful they are, will take the time to answer my emails or connect me with other people in their network. There are some women and men who are my seniors and that besides being my friends have become mentors, like: Jane Lucas, retired entrepreneur, Doreen Lorenzo, assistant dean of the College of Fine Arts, and Dr. Brian Korgel, professor of chemical engineering to name a few.
What's the best advice you've ever received?
Never stop learning and making. I always make a plan to take a class or learn a new skill every year.
What advice would you like to share with incoming or current students?
There is a rise in interdisciplinary profiles and UT offers an incredible amount of opportunities to explore different fields. There are Honors programs, Bridging Disciplines certificates, minors, internship and mentorship programs, organizations and even online learning tools at no extra cost. Exploring is never time wasted and will help you create your own path. Also, be careful not to be tailoring your own version of the truth, make sure you get a mentor and people around you to look up to.
For more information on Luisa Gil Fandino, you can learn more by going to her full faculty profile and she welcomes any of your questions by emailing her at: lgilf@utexas.edu.
