I conduct applied experimental research at Old Dominion University. My main research interests include Human-Computer Interaction, Human- Robot Interaction, Instructional Design, and training with games and virtual environments. I also work with industry and government directly to help improve their products through human-centered design practices. This is a sample of some of my most recent projects to highlight my design and research projects. Some of my work is protected through NDAs, so I am limited in the amount of information I can share.
If you’d like to learn more about any of this work or other projects, please contact me. You can also access a selected list of publications.
AR/VR Robotic Control Interface Usability
Through multiple Navy-funded SBIR/STTR contracts, I have worked extensively with multi-disciplinary teams to evaluate and develop robotic control interfaces to assist the Warfighter. We have developed virtual and augmented reality robot control training environments utilizing a variety of control devices. We used a variety of methods – heuristic evaluations, SWOT analyses, physiological data monitoring, and proctored usability testing sessions with enlisted personnel and ROTC students – to evaluate AR/VR robotic control interfaces. We also created instructional manuals and embedded training videos.
Military System Design Requirements
A common responsibility of any Human Factors practitioner during the product or system design life cycle is to provide recommendations based on expertise, a synthesis of existing design requirements and standards, and task analyses. I have worked with a number of military organizations to draft design requirements for products at various stages of development, including websites, instructional virtual characters, submarine navigation interfaces, and riverine high speed boat interfaces, and to develop training requirements for a special class of Navy personnel.
Educational Product UX Design
I have worked with small businesses and nonprofits in the K-12 education space by providing consulting services or UX design and research services. Some examples of recent projects: I conducted proctored usability testing sessions with kids to evaluate a 3Scape, an immersive, virtual 3D modeling tool that helps kids learn physics by manipulating virtual objects that react to space, time, and physics. I also served in a consulting capacity for Route247, a mobile-based platform that connects high school students with community organizations to provide students with valuable volunteer, internship, job, scholarship, and mentorship opportunities in and outside of their school. A gamification-based reward system provides motivating incentives to connects them to their school and local community.