Faculty
Dr. Valerie Sims
Research interests: human-computer interaction, human-animal interaction, and individual differences in spatial ability
Dr. Matthew Chin
Research interests: intergroup discrimination, social identity, human-animal interaction, and human-robot interaction
Graduate Students
Jason Parker
Jason is a doctoral student in the Applied Experimental and Human Factors Psychology program at the University of Central Florida. Jason received an MA in Spanish and an MS in Experimental Psychology from Georgia Southern University. His interests are at the intersection of cognition, technology, and human decision-making. Jason’s current research examines the impact of descriptive influence on decision-making under uncertainty. The intention of such research is to explore aspects of perceptual threat detection and risk analysis as to improve adaptive cognitions and behaviors in response to emergency warnings (i.e., tornadoes, hurricanes, terrorist attacks).
Briana Sobel
Briana is a doctoral candidate in the Human Factors and Cognitive Psychology program. She received her Bachelor’s degree from Georgia Institute of Technology in 2018 with a major in Psychology and a minor in Industrial Design. Her research interests lie in the anthropomorphism of technology, which includes studying the cognitive underpinnings and methods of assessment, as well as the application to Human-Computer Interaction and the design of more effective human-technology relationships. Briana serves as the Lab Manager of the ACAT lab.
Kristen Schmidt
Kristen is a second year student in the Human Factors and Cognitive Psychology program at University of Central Florida. She received her Bachelor’s in 2019 with a dual major in Psychology and English/Creative Writing at SUNY Binghamton. Her research interests include UI and UX design, game and simulation design, game learning, the relationship between video games and cognition, and how technology influences human communication and relationships.
Post-Baccalaureate
Undergraduate Members
Ana Camargo DaCosta
Major: Psychology, Computer Science Minor, Cognitive Science Minor
Accomplishments: Honors Undergraduate Thesis
Research Interests: Artificial Intelligence, Diversity and Inclusion, Disability Accessibility