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Newsletter
Updated: July 15, 2002
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Contents: HFES Home Overview Newsletter Next Meeting Job Openings Membership Sites of Interest |
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NewsletterUpdated: July 15, 2002 |
| July '02 | Volume 37 Number 2 |
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http://www.erols.com/hfespoc |
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The two areas I would like to focus on for this edition of the President’s Corner are the success of recent chapter events and the planning activities that are underway for the 2002 HFES Annual Meeting. The theme that comes to mind when considering both areas is that working with colleagues and associates in the spirit of collaboration and cooperation is a good thing and can be immensely rewarding.
Chapter Events Success Stories
The American Psychological Association (APA) Midyear Symposium, which the chapter co-sponsored with APA Division 21 (Experimental Psychology) and Division 19 (Military Psychology) in March, drew over 120 participants from across the country. The Thursday evening dinner meeting, which the chapter hosted, drew over 40 individuals who were treated to a dazzling display of night vision equipment and a rousing presentation on Federal Highway Administration human factors research initiatives. In addition, several chapter members made interesting and informative presentations at the symposium. Likewise, our joint meeting with the Usability Professional Association (UPA) in April was attended by over 40 members representing both organizations. In addition, the chapter cosponsored a joint meeting with the Institute of Industrial Engineers and several IE/ergonomics organizations. Even though we continue to be blessed with good programs and attendance, we still need someone to step forward to serve as Program Chair and take the lead for arranging future meetings.
Annual Meeting Planning
As I mentioned in the previous newsletter, our chapter has been asked to serve as the Host Chapter for the HFES 2002 Annual Meeting to be held from September 30 – October 4 in Baltimore, MD. We have formed a Host Committee and planning for the Annual Meeting is progressing full steam ahead. I have agreed to serve as the Host Committee General Chair and am coordinating with Lynn Strother, HFES Executive Director, Lois Smith, HFES Communications Director, and Steve Marlin from Prestige Accommodations, the meeting planner, to keep planning activities on schedule. We conducted a very productive coordination meeting with Lynn Strother and Steve Marlin on Friday, May 3, at the Marriott Waterfront Hotel in the Baltimore Inner Harbor, the conference hotel. After touring the facilities, I can safely say that this is a great location for holding the Annual Meeting and should be easily accessible by chapter members.
Although they are somewhat fluid, the majority of the Host Committee responsibilities thus far are centering around three subcommittees. The three subcommittees, and the individuals who are serving as their chairpersons, are: (1) technical and general tours (Dick Horst), (2) hospitality and local events/attractions (Debbie Patton), and (3) newsletter/communications (Tom Mayfield). We have established a section at the chapter web site for Annual Meeting and local attraction information. More to come in the next newsletter!
John W. Ruffner, Ph.D.
President
Upcoming July Chapter Meeting: A Tour of UserWorks, Inc.
The next chapter meeting will be held next Thursday evening, July 25, 2002, at UserWorks’ offices in Silver Spring, MD (located just one block north of the DC beltway off New Hampshire Ave – see directions below). UserWorks is a small business consulting firm specializing in usability engineering, user-centered design, and human factors R&D. We will gather before the tour for pizza and soft drinks at UserWorks’ offices. UserWorks staff will then demonstrate their facilities and tools of the trade (see below).
Meeting Date: July 25, 2002
Location: UserWorks, Inc., 1738 Elton Rd, Suite 138, Silver Spring, MD 20903.
Cost for dinner: We will split the costs of pizza and soft drinks among the attendees and staff members present
Dinner choices: We will have a variety of flavors of pizza, a few salads, and soft drinks
Reservations: No one will be turned away at the door, but please RSVP so that we know how much pizza to order. To let us know you are coming, please call 301-431-0500 or email info@userworks.com.
Directions to UserWorks:
From the Washington D.C., beltway (I-495): take Exit 28A and proceed north on New Hampshire Avenue (Route 650) toward White Oak. At the first intersection (almost immediately) turn right onto Elton Road between Shoney’s and Safeway. Continue several hundred yards, pass the Coca-Cola building, and turn left into Executive Court. Our building (1738 Elton Rd.) is the one farthest from the street. We are in Suite 138.
From Route 29: take the New Hampshire Avenue, South (Route 650) exit and proceed less than 2 miles toward the Hillandale Shopping Center. Turn left onto Elton Road which is between Shoney’s and Safeway, just south of the shopping center. Continue several hundred yards, pass the Coca-Cola building, and turn left into Executive Court. Our building (1738 Elton Rd.) is the one farthest from the street. We are in Suite 138.
From Baltimore Washington Airport (BWI): take I95 South for approximately 35 miles. When you near the Washington D.C., beltway, get in the right hand lane to take I-495 West. Follow I-495 to Exit 28A and proceed north on New Hampshire Avenue (Route 650) toward White Oak. At the first intersection (almost immediately) turn right onto Elton Road between Shoney’s and Safeway. Continue several hundred yards, pass the Coca-Cola building, and turn left into Executive Court. Our building (1738 Elton Rd.) is the one farthest from the street. We are in Suite 138.
From Dulles International Airport: make a right onto Cargo Drive. Cargo Drive becomes Aviation Drive. Turn left onto ramp and merge onto Dulles Airport Access Road. Take the VA-267 Exit (Exit 12-13-14 VA 267 to Reston Pkwy/Wiehle Ave/Hunter Mill Road). Merge onto VA-267 East. Go East on VA-267. Take Exit 18 (I-495 North to Baltimore/Bethesda MD). Keep left at the fork in the ramp. From 495 North follow the directions "From the Washington, DC beltway" above.
From Reagan National Airport (the following route is not the most direct, but usually the fastest, because of traffic): take Rt 1 (Jefferson Davis Highway) South, through Alexandria. At the intersection of the D.C. beltway (I-495), take I-495 East across the Wilson Bridge. Take the exit marked "To Baltimore" onto Rt 295 North. Continue to where Rt 295 again intersects with the beltway (I-495) north of Washington, DC. Take I-495 East and follow the directions "From the Washington, DC beltway" above.
From the Fort Totten Metro or New Hampshire Avenue at Langley Park: take the Metro bus #K6 (marked White Oak) to the Hillendale Shopping Center at the intersection of New Hampshire Avenue and Elton Road. The bus ride will take approximately 25-30 minutes. After exiting the bus, walk approximately 2 blocks along Elton Road, past the Safeway on the left and Shoney’s Restaurant on the right. Continue past the Coca-Cola building on the left and turn left into Executive Court. Our building (1738 Elton Rd.) is the one farthest from the street. We are in Suite 138.
From the Silver Spring Metro: take the Montgomery county Ride On bus #20 (marked Holly Hall) to the Hillendale Shopping Center at the intersection of New Hampshire Avenue and Elton Road. The bus ride will take approximately 25-30 minutes. After exiting the bus, walk approximately 2 blocks along Elton Road, past the Safeway on the left and Shoney’s Restaurant on the right. Continue past the Coca-Cola building on the left and turn left into Executive Court. Our building (1738 Elton Rd.) is the one farthest from the street. We are in Suite 138.
Abstracts from APA Mid-Year Symposium Available on Chapter Web Site
On March 7th and 8th, 2002 the Potomac Chapter co-hosted the American Psychological Association’s Midyear Symposium in conjunction with APA Division 21 (Applied Experimental and Engineering Psychology) and Division 19 (Military Psychology). The conference, entitled "Contemporary & Emerging Issues in Human Factors, Engineering and Military Psychology, was held at Ft. Belvoir. Our own Jerry Krueger served as the Conference Co-Chair. The dinner meeting on March 7 featured Joe Moyer, a research psychologist with the Federal Highway Administration as speaker. His topic was "Mission & Research Initiatives of the Federal Highway Administration in the Department of Transportation." Abstracts from this very successful conference are posted on the Potomac Chapter web site, www.erols.com/hfespoc.
April Dinner Meeting featured Whitney Quesenbery on Usable Search Interfaces
The Potomac Chapter’s April 2002 dinner meeting was a joint meeting with the DC Metro Chapter of the Usability Professionals’ Association. The speaker was Whitney Quesenbery, Senior Vice President for Design at Cognetics Corporation, who addressed "Designing Usable Search Interfaces: The Good, the Bad, and the Ugly." Whitney pointed out that almost every large web site, intranet, e-commerce application or knowledge management system includes some kind of search interface, whether it is a query screen, hierarchical navigation or a visualization approach. But, despite their wide-spread use, they are often the cause of usability problems in effectively finding information or other items. Her talk looked at the challenges of search interfaces and some ways to design for better usability. Starting from different approaches to finding information, she presented some typical search interface design strategies, and discussed how well each of them does in assisting users. Examples were drawn from both popular programs or websites and other reference tools, providing a broad view of search interfaces across interface styles and content domains. Whitney was good enough to provide her slides from this talk and they have been posted at the Potomac Chapter web site, www.erols.com/hfespoc.
The 24th annual meeting of the Cognitive Science Society is being held at George Mason University, August 8th through 10th. As in previous years, the conference will showcase high quality empirical, theoretical, and analytic work that contributes to the advancement of cognitive science. Theory plays an important role in all research; however, nothing pushes theory so well (and in such interdisciplinary directions) as applied research problems. In keeping with this theme, the conference will also include presentations that emphasize the interplay between theory-based research and problems that originate in an applied domain (e.g., education, medicine, engineering, human-computer interaction, transportation safety). The conference co-chairs are Wayne D. Gray and Chris Schunn.
Directions for web-based and paper-based registration are available on the conference web site: http://hfac.gmu.edu/~cogsci.
An exceptionally good tutorial program begins the day before the conference, Wednesday, August 7th. The preliminary schedule for CogSci2002 is also available on the conference website, complete with titles, authors, and abstracts for all events (PDFs are available), including:
The Rumelhart Prize talk by Richard Shiffrin
The Rumelhart Symposium: In Honor of Richard Shiffrin (by former students)
Two Plenary Sessions
Five Symposium
Regular Talks
Publication-Based Talks
Full Posters
Member Abstract Posters
CogSci2002 will feature three stand-up dinner receptions complete with String Quartet or Jazz Quartet and intellectual stimulation (supplied by the attendees). The Thursday reception will be in honor of last year's Rumelhart Prize winner and will feature the announcement of this year's prize winner. The Friday and Saturday receptions will feature Full Posters as well as Member Abstracts.
The following tours of local sites (that will hopefully be) of professional interest have been arranged for the annual meeting of the Human Factors & Ergonomics Society, being held this fall in Baltimore. These tours, for which reservations will be required, are being publicized by the Society on its web site (www.hfes.org) and in the registration materials being mailed to Society members. Buses will be leaving from and returning to the convention hotel. There is a small charge for most tours, to cover transportation and, in some cases, food costs. Please note that some tours also have special security requirements or accessibility restrictions (see descriptions in the materials being distributed by the Society office). If you are interested in attending any of these tours, please be sure to register early.
Mon, Sept 30, 1:30 p.m., 2 hr tour, up to 25 people
Human Performance Lab, University of Maryland at College Park, College Park, MD
The research interests of the UMCP Human Performance Laboratory include exercise biomechanics, modeling of exercise performance, and biomedical instrumentation. The tour will feature the presentation of ongoing research projects and demonstration of measurement approaches. Equipment in the laboratory includes treadmills, bicycle ergometers, ski machines, hand-eye coordination apparatus, a muscular strength laboratory, blood analysis equipment, gas monitoring equipment, and pulmonary function monitoring equipment. This equipment is used to understand, evaluate, and help workers improve their cognitive, motor, and psychomotor skills that are integral to worker performance of highly skilled occupations. Areas of application include optimization of respiratory masks, physiological response to respiratory stress, and various aspects of worker performance in factory, agricultural, or computer operation settings. The technology also plays an important role in the sports arena, allowing researchers to evaluate equipment designed to enhance and strengthen athletic performance, or to protect athletes from injury.
Mon, Sept 30, 2:00 p.m., 2 hr tour, up to 40 people
Communication Technologies Research Center, National Cancer Institute, Bethesda, MD
The National Cancer Institute’s Communication Technologies Branch (CTB) has been at the forefront in promoting usability engineering and user-centered design in the development of government information resources. CTB developed and maintains the usability.gov web site, a set of research-based web design guidelines, and compilations of "lessons learned." This seminar will feature NCI’s new usability lab and training facility, the Communication Technologies Research Center, which supports all of the National Institutes of Health. The Center includes a state-of-the-art usability lab, a computer training room, and a test-bed for evaluating emerging and assistive technologies. These three components are fully networked and can be used in isolation or in various combinations. The Center’s equipment and facilities will be demonstrated, lessons learned in the development of the center will be discussed, and several case studies as well as ongoing usability initiatives will be presented.
Tues, Oct 1, 12:00 p.m., 2.5 hr tour, up to 40 people
Army Research Lab, Aberdeen Proving Ground, Aberdeen, MD
The Human Research and Engineering Division at ARL conducts the Army's fundamental and applied research leading to key technologies necessary to assure supremacy in future land warfare. At Aberdeen Proving Ground, HRED researchers utilize unique research facilities to execute an innovative program of soldier-oriented R&D and design-principle analyses to protect and extend the soldier's visual, auditory, and cognitive performance in complex, time-critical battlefield stressor environments. During your tour you will experience bone-rattling impulse sounds in the new, fully immersive Tactical Environment Simulation Facility. You will witness soldier marksmanship at the only research-class small arms firing range in the U.S., where targets are presented at distances up to 900 meters and shooter performance data are collected. You will visit our Mobility-Portability Course, a standard for measuring effects of soldier load, equipment, and clothing on mobility and on mental and physiological functions.
Tues, Oct 1, 2:00 p.m., 2 hr tour, up to 15 people
Emergency Medical Systems Syscom Center and Shocktrauma Center, University of Maryland at Baltimore, Baltimore, MD
The Maryland Institute for Emergency Medical Systems Services (MIEMSS) is the regulatory body for Emergency Medical Services in the state of Maryland. Its state of the art communications center, known as SYSCOM, houses a radio communication system that allows for EMS providers throughout the region to communicate with a network of hospital resources. The Shock Trauma center serves as the Primary Adult Resource Center for trauma care in the state of Maryland. This tour will include a visit to both the MIEMSS SYSCOM center and to Shock Trauma. Special emphasis in Shock Trauma will focus on the telecontrol center, which is the center piece of an infrastructure that supports human factors research. The telecontrol center is located in the midst of the trauma patient admitting unit and is the hub of a state-of-the-art audio-video information network linked to admitting area bays as well as inter hospital transport units. A number of research projects have been conducted with this infrastructure to study team performance, decision making under stress, distant leadership, and patient safety.
Wed, Oct 2, 8:30 a.m., 2 hr tour, up to 20 people
GM Truck Group Assembly Plant, Baltimore, MD
Ergonomics of an Automotive Assembly Plant. The GM Truck plant produces the Astro and Safari minivans. The UAW-GM ergonomic program was established in 1990. The tour will consist of an overview of the joint UAW-GM process of identifying, resolving and maintaining ergonomic issues within an assembly plant and the importance of creating ergonomic awareness among all employees. The tour will begin with a brief discussion of the characteristics of the physical demands of assembly work and how Ergonomics works with other departments within a plant to limit ergonomic risk factors. This will be followed by a plant tour outlining specific workstations that were modified to correct a past ergonomic risk factor. Examples will range from the effects of the workstation layout, to packaging and tooling, on the operator. The tour will be concluded by a question and answer period
Wed, Oct 2, 9:00 a.m., 4 hr tour, up to 30 people
Interactive Systems Research Center, University of Maryland Baltimore County, Catonsville, MD
Researchers in the Interactive Systems Research Center (ISRC) investigate the design, implementation, and evaluation of interactive systems. The ISRC research program spans a variety of topics including collaboration, tutoring systems, information retrieval, accessibility, and mobile computing. Current projects in collaboration include online communities (investigating differences between lurkers and participants, online health support communities, metrics for evaluating online communities), collaborative editing, instant messaging, expertise/ organizational memory systems, and techniques for supporting person to person and social communication. Tutoring systems are evaluated within the context of the web using interactive programmed instruction approaches to technology education. Our information retrieval research focuses on reusing search histories, visualization techniques, content-based document management, and web-based decision support for spatial data. Accessibility projects investigate both health- and situation ally-induced impairments and disabilities. Mobile computing research includes Chinese character entry and investigations of data entry for mobile devices more broadly. ISRC is housed within the Information Systems Department at UMBC.
Wed, Oct 2, 2:00 p.m., 2 hr tour, up to 20 people
Technology Lab, National Federation for the Blind, Baltimore, MD
The International Braille and Technology Center, operated by the National Federation Of the Blind, will present a discussion of assistive technology development and conduct a hands-on tour of the lab facilities. The Technology Center is the world’s most extensive demonstration and evaluation center for computer-related technology serving the needs of blind persons. Housed in The National Center for the Blind, the Technology Center has 5500 sq. ft. of laboratory space housing $2.5 million worth of equipment which is used to better assess, support, and insure objectivity in the evaluation of assistive technologies.
Thurs, Oct 3, 9:45 a.m., 2.5 hr tour, up to 15 people
National Testing Laboratory, Consumer Product Safety Commission, Bethesda, MD
The National Testing Laboratory conducts engineering analyses and testing of consumer products as well as supporting the development of product safety performance standards and test methods. A large part of the lab effort is focused on regulated product testing such as toys, fireworks, cigarette lighters, wearing apparel, bicycles and bicycle helmets, chemicals, and bunk beds where numerous probes and test devices are used that are based on anthropometric data. Another part of the lab effort supports hazard reduction projects including the development of performance requirements for both mandatory and voluntary standards. Current standards development efforts that lab staff are involved with include upholstered furniture, bath seats, bed rails, wearing apparel, mattresses, and camping heaters where a variety of human factors issues come into consideration. The tour will include the following areas: flammability (wearing apparel, upholstered furniture); toys; children's products (baby walkers, bunk beds); mechanical (lighters, helmets); electrical; chemistry/fireworks; and combustion products.
Thurs, Oct 3, 9:00 a.m., 2.5 hr tour, up to 40 people
Army Research Lab, Aberdeen Proving Ground, Aberdeen, MD
(Same as above)
Thurs, Oct 3, 12:30 a.m,.2.5 hr tour, up to 40 people
Army Research Lab, Aberdeen Proving Ground, Aberdeen, MD
(Same as above)
Thurs, Oct 3, 12:30 p.m., 2.5 hr tour, up to 40 people
Army Research Lab, Zahl Research Center, Electronics and Sensors Lab, Adelphi, MD
ARL's Sensors and Electron Devices Directorate (SEDD) utilizes specialized facilities at the Zahl Research Center for fundamental research to provide commanders real-time situational awareness, rapid and precise discrimination and targeting, and mitigating techniques for use against hostile enemy threats. Areas of technological expertise include Ladar, Digital Signal Processing, Automated Target Recognition, Helmet-mounted and Flat Panel Displays, and Acoustical Sensors. Your tour will include a demonstration of new- and next-generation Electro-Optics Smart Sensors. This technology provides extraordinary daytime situation awareness and a dominance of the battlefield during night and adverse weather conditions. Laser sensors can help "see" through clouds, leaves, and camouflage. Acoustical Sensors are used to monitor human physiology in assessing human health and performance; heart rate variability, breath rate, blood pressure, activity and other parameters can be continuously monitored and transmitted for remote surveillance of personnel status.
Dick Horst
Technical and General Tours Chair
Preparations for the daily Newsletter for the Annual Meeting are going well. The first issue is being put together between now and the Friday before the Conference. Sometime before, and then during, the Conference (Sept. 30 – Oct. 4, 2002), I will be looking for "Reporters" to help provide material and then will appreciate all the help I can get. A little nearer the time of the conference, I will be defining the content material we need and how the Newsletter process works. We will have a room at the hotel, with a machine, scanner and Internet capability, and an experienced PageMaker user either on site or available remotely for laying out the content.
We are in the process of selecting a printer, and I will be visiting them later this month to talk over the logistics. Anyone who would like to help with the Newsletter, please contact me. It should be a great way to keep abreast of what is happening at the conference and to interact with fellow members.
Tom Mayfield
Newsletter/Communications Chair
703-281-1445
tmayfield@evansincorporated.com
The POC web site (http://www.erols.com/hfespoc) has a number of new features:
We now have an on-line directory for POC members only. The directory is an electronic version of the annual directory previously mailed to all members. (The electronic format was chosen to allow for rapid updating of member information, and to reduce copying and mailing costs.) If you don't have Internet access, paper copies of the directory are available on request from John Ruffner (contact information is located at the end of the newsletter).
You'll need to use a Login Name and Password to access the directory. (For those receiving this newsletter in hardcopy format, the login ID and password were included in the mailing. For those accessing this newsletter electronically, the ID and password will be included in the e-mail announcing the newsletter.) Like all login information, please keep this information secure as it is intended for members only.
Another feature is local information about Baltimore and the Inner Harbor as part of the upcoming HFES Annual Meeting. If you plan on being in Baltimore (whether or not as part of the Annual Meeting), you'll find useful information about restaurants, sites and local attractions.
We also have an on-line version of abstracts from the March Midyear Symposium Contemporary & Emerging Issues in Human Factors, Engineering and Military Psychology.
Lastly, we have an on-line version of the viewgraphs from the highly successful joint April Dinner Meeting with the UPA. You'll find a link to Whitney Quesenbery's presentation, "Search Interfaces: The Good, the Bad and the Ugly -- Designing Usable Search Interfaces," on the web site.
Jack Laveson
Webmaster
Treemaps are a space-filling visualization for hierarchical structures that are extremely effective in showing attributes of leaf nodes by size and color coding. Treemaps enable users to compare sizes of nodes and of sub-trees, and are especially strong in spotting unusual patterns. They were developed by Ben Shneiderman and colleagues at the Human-Computer Interaction Laboratory (HCIL) of the University of Maryland, during the 1990s. A review of treemaps and their growing set of applications appears at:
http://www.cs.umd.edu/hcil/treemaps/
Treemaps are a continuing topic of research and application at the HCIL. Our improved Java version, Treemap 3.2, includes dynamic query filters, and three treemap layout algorithms:
Treemap 3.2 runs as a stand alone executable or could be turned into a Java applet. It also maps your hard drive directories to help you clean cluttered disks. Free download and information at:
http://www.cs.umd.edu/hcil/treemap3
Treemap 3.2 is available free for personal/educational use. For commercial licensing please contact: James A. Poulos, Univ. of Maryland Office of Technology Commercialization, jp227@umail.umd.edu
Human Factors Engineer
Advanced Management Technology Inc.
Arlington, VA
Requirements:
Preferred:
Contact:
| Eric Stringer | 1515 Wilson Blvd | |
| Technical Recruiter | Suite 1100 | |
| Advanced Management Technology Inc. | Arlington, VA 22209 | |
| eric.stringer@amti.com | (703) 841-2262 office | |
| www.amti.com | (703) 841-1443 fax |
User Interface Specialist
Blackboard Inc. (http://www.blackboard.com)
Washington, DC
Blackboard is the leading provider of Internet software and
infrastructure to the e-Education market. Founded in 1997, Blackboard
Inc. is the largest Internet software company headquartered in
Washington, DC. What began as collaboration with the students and
faculty at Cornell University has grown into a user base of more than
3.5 million people. Described by Washingtonian Magazine as "energetic"
and "a great place to learn and grow," Blackboard offers a chance to
work with innovative technologies and leaders in the field.
Blackboard is seeking a UI Specialist to help design future releases of Blackboard. The User Interface Specialist will be responsible for analyzing, designing, and documenting user interface specifications for a Web-based e-Learning application used by millions of faculty, students, and administrators around the world. This position is a great opportunity to work with a small team and to have a significant impact on end users.
The primary areas of responsibility for this position are:
Qualifications:
If you are interested in applying for the position, please send your resume both inline and attached as a word document to Donnie Small (dsmall@blackboard.com) with the subject line "UI Specialist DC." A "cover letter" introducing yourself within the email is also appreciated, as are samples of previous work in whatever form.
Visiting Assistant Professor
Cognition/Cognitive Engineering
George Mason University
Fairfax, Virginia
The Department of Psychology at George Mason University anticipates an opening to begin in Fall 2002 for a one-year appointment as a Visiting Assistant Professor. The ideal candidate will have a Ph.D. in Cognitive Psychology or related area and experience developing cognitive theory. The successful candidate will be expected to teach in the undergraduate and graduate programs in the Human Factors and Applied Cognitive Program. We will consider applicants from a variety of research specializations, such as complex problem solving, higher level cognition, visual attention, training (especially computer-based), memory, human performance, decision-making, computational cognitive modeling, human computer interaction, and human factors. Evidence of teaching skills is highly desirable.
George Mason University is located approximately 15 miles SW of Washington, DC and is the newest university in the Virginia Commonwealth system. The psychology department has Ph.D. programs in applied cognitive psychology, industrial/organizational psychology, developmental, and clinical psychology. The successful candidate will be a member of the ARCH Lab, which houses HFAC faculty, their research facilities, and both undergraduate and graduate students in a collaborative and highly productive environment.
Applications will be evaluated starting on June 15, 2002 and will continue until a suitable candidate is found. A vita, three letters of recommendation, and a brief statement of research and teaching interests should be sent to: Cognitive Search Committee, George Mason University, MSN 3F5, Fairfax, VA 22030-4444. For more information about the Human Factors & Applied Cognitive Program, see our web page: http://www.hfac.gmu.edu.
We encourage applications from women and minority candidates. George Mason University is an Affirmative Action/Equal Opportunity Employer.
If you have any questions about this position, please contact Deborah Boehm-Davis (dbdavis@gmu.edu) or Christopher Kello (ckello@gmu.edu).
Human Factors/User Interface Designer
Informax Inc.
Bethesda, Maryland
Headquartered in Bethesda, Maryland, InforMax is a leading global provider of life science informatics software solutions for the analysis and interpretation of genomic, proteomic and other biomolecular data. InforMax, founded in 1990 by Dr. Alex Titomirov, enables over 32,000 researchers worldwide to achieve greater insights into genetic function through biological data mining and integrated genomics analysis.
InforMax's solutions combine molecular biology techniques, information technology and Internet communications to automate the research process, facilitating high-speed analysis and dramatically increasing productivity.
Description:
An entry-level position working with a Human Factors psychologist to generate desktop UI design for Bioinformatics software products. Focus on large information management approaches and graphical displays of scientific data and information is critical. Interact with software developers, biologists and other application scientists, and customers to clarify and validate UI design. Help develop and document UI standards for product line. Assist with user-centered research program. This might involve running subjects, coding data, creating prototypes (paper or software) constructing scenarios, etc. Present design ideas to the project team and document the design in user interface specifications
Faculty Appointment
Rehabilitation Engineering R&D Lab
National Rehabilitation Hospital
Collaborative and independent research and development on applications of Virtual Reality methods and technologies to rehabilitation of individuals with disabilities. The setting is a rehabilitation engineering R&D lab with clinical goals, a strong interdisciplinary orientation, and active connections with academic departments of biomedical engineering and experimental psychology at the nearby Catholic University of America. The lab is housed in the Rehabilitation Engineering Service at the National Rehabilitation Hospital, a private not-for-profit 130-bed hospital in northwest Washington, DC. Disabilities that are currently the focus of VR research include stroke, autistic spectrum disorder, and cerebral palsy. A faculty appointment and direct involvement with graduate students is likely.
Credentials:
Required: Applicants must have a Ph.D. in a discipline of engineering, computer science or experimental psychology, with strong capabilities in virtual environment development and related programming; demonstrated capability to conceptualize and implement R&D programs independently and to publish results; high level working familiarity with PCs and graphics work stations; particular specialty knowledge in current VR tools and techniques and their application to medical and research problems; excellent written and spoken communication skills; and a professional commitment to applications of engineering to medical challenges, in particular rehabilitation.
Desirable: Experience beyond graduate school; experience with haptics; knowledge of modeling of human oculomotor control and related optics; demonstrated ability to prepare winning research proposals; strong capabilities in analog and digital circuit design; and a demonstrated ability to carry a product design initiative from conceptualization to prototype completion.
User Interface Designer/Web Interaction Specialist
SRA International
Fairfax, Virginia
SRA International has some challenging opportunities for User Interface Designers in its Knowledge Discovery Solutions practice. This practice supports a market and trading analysis system used by NASD Regulation. These positions are located in Fairfax, VA.
Candidates should possess a BS in CS or a related field and at least 5 years of related experience. Position requires:
SRA is a privately held information technology firm that provides systems integration, consulting, and eBusiness and eGovernment services and solutions tailored to government and commercial client needs. We specialize in Internet systems development, systems and software engineering, network integration and management, information security, enterprise systems management, knowledge discovery, and e-mail management systems.
Fortune Magazine recently chose SRA as one of the "100 Best Companies to Work For" and Business Week has named SRA as one of the leading private information technology companies for the second consecutive year. Founded in 1978, SRA serves clients from its headquarters in Fairfax, VA, and across the United States. Our staff of more than 1,900 talented and dedicated people carry out the company's commitment to high-quality work, honesty and service, and customer satisfaction.
Should you be interested in this opportunity, please forward your resume to Judy_Whipple@sra.com
| Judy L. Whipple | Voice: (540) 972-4229 | |
| Sr. Staffing Consultant | Email: Judy_Whipple@sra.com | |
| SRA International | http://www.sra.com/ |
Anthropologist or Human Factors Specialist
SS8 Networks, Inc.
Rockville, Maryland
SS8 Networks is looking for a versatile Anthropologist or Human Factors Specialist to join our team in Rockville, MD.
As a member of the human factors group, you would be involved with:
Skills needed:
Background:
Degree in Anthropology, Human Factors, or related field plus 5 years of relevant experience. A graduate degree is desirable.
Comprehending Engineers-Take One
Two engineering students were walking across campus when one said, "Where did you get such a great bike?" The second engineer replied, "Well, I was walking along yesterday minding my own business when a beautiful woman rode up on this bike. She threw the bike to the ground, took off all her clothes and said, "Take what you want." The second engineer nodded approvingly, "Good choice; the clothes probably wouldn't have fit."
Comprehending Engineers - Take Two
To the optimist, the glass is half full. To the pessimist, the glass is half empty. To the engineer, the glass is twice as big as it needs to be.
Comprehending Engineers-Take Three.
A pastor, a doctor and an engineer were waiting one morning for a particularly slow group of golfers. The engineer fumed, "What's with these guys? We must have been waiting for 15 minutes!" The doctor chimed in, "I don't know, but I've never seen such ineptitude!" The pastor said, "Hey, here comes the greens keeper. Let's have a word with him." "Hi George. say, what's with that group ahead of us? They're rather slow, aren't they?" The greens keeper replied, "Oh, yes, that's a group of blind firefighters. They lost their sight saving our clubhouse from a fire last year, so we always let them play for free anytime." The group was silent for a moment. The pastor said, "That's so sad. I think I will say a special prayer for them tonight." The doctor said, "Good idea. And I'm going to contact my ophthalmologist buddy and see if there's anything he can do for them." The engineer said, "Why can't these guys play at night?"
Comprehending Engineers-Take Four.
What is the difference between Mechanical Engineers and Civil Engineers? Mechanical Engineers build weapons, Civil Engineers build targets.
Comprehending Engineers-Take Five
The graduate with a Science degree asks, "Why does it work?" The graduate with an Engineering degree asks, "How does it work?" The graduate with an Accounting degree asks, "How much will it cost?" The graduate with an Arts degree asks, "Do you want fries with that?"
Comprehending Engineers-Take Six
Three engineering students were gathered together discussing the possible designers of the human body. One said, "It was a mechanical engineer. Just look at all the joints." Another said, "No, it was an electrical engineer. The nervous system has many thousands of electrical connections." The last one said, "Actually it was a civil engineer. Who else would run a toxic waste pipeline through a recreational area?"
Comprehending Engineers-Take Seven.
"Normal people believe that if it ain't broke, don't fix it.
Engineers believe that if it ain't broke, it doesn't have enough features yet."
Comprehending Engineers-Take Eight.
An architect, an artist and an engineer were discussing whether it was better to spend time with the wife or a mistress. The architect said he enjoyed time with his wife, building a solid foundation for an enduring relationship. The artist said he enjoyed time with his mistress, because of the passion and mystery he found there. The engineer said, "I like both." "Both?" Engineer: "Yeah. If you have a wife and a mistress , they will each assume you are spending time with the other woman, and you can go to the lab and get some work done."
Comprehending Engineers - Take Nine
An engineer was crossing a road one day when a frog called out to him and said, "If you kiss me, I'll turn into a beautiful princess." He bent over, picked up the frog and put it in his pocket. The frog spoke up again and said, "If you kiss me and turn me back into a beautiful princess, I will stay with you for one week." The engineer took the frog out of his pocket, smiled at it and returned it to the pocket. The frog then cried out, "If you kiss me and turn me back into a princess, I'll stay with you and do ANYTHING you want." Again the engineer took the frog out, smiled at it and put it back into his pocket. Finally, the frog asked, "What is the matter? I've told you I'm a beautiful princess that I'll stay with you for a week and do anything you want. Why won't you kiss me?" The engineer said, "Look I'm an engineer. I don't have time for a girl friend, but a talking frog......that's cool."
President
John Ruffner
DCS Corporation
Phone: (703) 683-8430 x243
Email: jruffner@dcscorp.com
Past President
Dino Piccione
Federal Aviation Administration
Phone: (202) 366-0128
Email: dinopicione@faa.gov
President-Elect
Jerry Krueger
The Wexford Group
Phone: (703) 704-1801
Email: JerryKrueg@aol.com
Secretary
Colleen Donovan
Federal Aviation Administration
Phone: 202-267-3313
Email: colleen.donovan@faa.gov
Past Secretary
Susan Evans
Evans Incorporated
Phone: (703) 281-1445
Email: sevans@evansincorporated.com
Secretary-Elect
Tom Mayfield
Evans Incorporated
Phone: (703) 281-1445
Email: tmayfield@evansincorporated.com
Treasurer
Ben Somberg
Resource Consultants Inc.
Phone: (571) 226-5092
Email: bsomberg@resourceconsultants.com
Past Treasurer
Kris Knutson
National Institute for Neurological Disorders and Stroke
Phone: (301) 435-6624
Email: krisknut@msn.com
Treasurer-Elect
Jim Fullbrook
DCS Corporation
Phone: (703) 683-8430
Email: jfulbrook@dcscorp.com
Directors-at-Large
Jack Laveson
Integrated Systems Research
Phone: (703) 642-3677
Email: j.i.laveson@ieee.org
Doug Griffith
Veridian Systems Division
Phone: (703) 803-0100 x4120
Email: dkgriffith@erols.com
Awards
Tyson Rose
IBM
Phone: (301) 240-3237
email:ctrose@us.ibm.com
Membership/Directory
Michael Eidelkind
TRW
Phone: 703-575-0782
email: Michael.Eidelkind@trw.com
Newsletter
Dick Horst
UserWorks, Inc.
Phone: (301) 431-0500
email: dhorst@userworks.com
Student Affairs
Vacant
Phone:
email:
Public Affairs/Corporate Membership
vacant
Phone:
email:
Program
vacant
Phone:
email:
WebMaster
Jack Laveson
Integrated Systems Research
Phone: (703) 642-3677
email: j.l.laveson@ieee.org
Local Arrangements
Don Weitzman
TRW
Phone: (202) 385-7792
email: don.ctr.weitzman@faa.gov
Recent
Meetings:
September, 2001
Heather Crombie: "UI Design for Online Services"
October, 2001
Tour of the Boeing Joint Strike Fighter Cockpit Simulator
Tour of America Online’s Usability Labs
November, 2001
Hal Hendrick: "Ergonomics Around the World"
January, 2002
Wai-Tat Fu: "Internet Research Recently Conducted at XEROX Palo Alto Research Center."
February, 2002
John Hansmann: "Emerging Human Factors Issues in Aircraft Cockpits, Automobile Cockpits, and Air Traffic Control"
April, 2002
Whitney Quesenbery: "Designing Usable Search Interfaces: The Good, the Bad, and the Ugly"
