2012 Officers

Officers for 2012

The following people have been elected to serve as chapter officers for the 2012 calendar year. Congratulations! The chapter would like to thank all the officers who have volunteered their time and effort.

President: Ben Sawyer

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Ben Sawyer became interested in Psychology while traveling. His endless notes always seemed to come back to the similarities between people in the myriad cultures he experienced. After returning to the United States, he studied Psychology at Colorado State University. Between 2007 to 2010, he focused in Cognitive Psychology and graduated with a B.S. with honors. He is now a Ph.D. student in The University of Central Florida’s Applied Experimental and Human Factors Ph.D. program. Ben’s interests include simulation, virtual reality, presence, distraction, cognitive modeling and physiology. He is lab manager for the Transportation Research Laboratory and founder of the Virtual Interactive Research Laboratory (VIRL). His research projects have included work with texting while driving, spatial awareness in navigation, deja vu, research in virtual environments, and stroop effects within navigational interfaces








Vice President: Adam Emfield

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Adam Emfield graduated from Idaho State University with a B.S. in Psychology in 2009, and with a M.A. in Psychology (Human Factors and Applied Cognition) in 2011 from George Mason University. While attending school at ISU, he completed two years of coursework in computer science, and worked for three years at a software development company. He is currently a first year doctoral student at the University of Central Florida. His research interests include automation, human-technology interaction, usability, and neuroergonomics. He is currently working with Dr. Mark Neider in the Applied Cognition and Aging lab, and with Dr. Mark Neider and Dr. Mustapha Mouloua in the Transportation Research Group.








Secretary: Ashley Hughes

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Ashley M. Hughes is a first year grad student in the Applied Experimental and Human Factors psychology Ph.D program at the University of Central Florida (UCF). She obtained her B.S. from UCF in Psychology graduating with honors from the Honors in the Major program in Burnett Honors College. She is currently studying teamwork behaviors and training development in medical fields under the direction of Dr. Eduardo Salas in the Division of Human Systems Integration Research (DHSIR) laboratory. Her research interests are in stress, training development and evaluation, and safety and technology in healthcare.








Treasurer: James Oglesby

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James Oglesby is a second-year doctoral student in the Applied Experimental and Human Factors Psychology program at the University of Central Florida (UCF). James received a B.S. in Psychology from the UCF, and is currently a research associate at the Institute for Simulation and Training in Orlando, FL. His research interests include team performance, team cognition, simulation based training, and performance/habitability in extreme environments.








Social Chair: Amira Mohammed-Ameen

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Amira Mohamed-Ameen is a Ph.D. student in the Applied Experimental and Human Factors psychology program at the University of Central Florida. She obtained her B.S. (2010) in the field of Psychology with a minor in Art and Visual Technology from George Mason University. Under the direction of Dr. Peter Hancock, she is currently working on examining the relationship between brain metabolism and cognitive resources, specifically, when the mind wanders. She hopes to also link this research to the world of driving. If that were not enough, Amira also hopes to attain a Masters of Science in Industrial Engineering en route to her doctorate degree. Her primary research interests include human-robot teams, neuroergonomics, mind wandering, trust in automation, adaptive automation, theme parks, user interface design, human error, and distributed cognition. Outside of academia, Amira is a successful pianist, actress, painter, as well as an accomplished stand-up comedian. Beyond all else, she can make a mean mango mousse and do a killer impression of Dori from Finding Nemo.








Historian: Gaby Hancock

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Gaby Hancock is a first year Ph.D. student in the Applied Experimental and Human Factors psychology program at the University of Central Florida. She has already received her Master’s degree from the University of Florida in Applied Physiology and Kinesiology. Under the direction of Dr. James Szalma, she is currently exploring the application of fuzzy signal detection theory in the detection of Improvised Explosive Devices. In her free time, Gaby enjoys debunking the supernatural, ghost stories, and seeing how many physiological sensors she can place on her colleagues without them noticing. Her record is three.








Chair of Outreach: Jurate Liutvinskaite

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Jurate Liutvinskaite brings a broad and diverse academic, professional and cultural background. Jurate first started studying about human sciences in Lithuania, she continued her education in the US and graduated Summa Cum Laude from Florida International University, whilst exploring clinical and social psychology fields, in both applied and academic research environments. Alongside she has also held several key supervisory positions in relevant industries. Jurate has attained her Master of Science degree in Industrial and Organizational Psychology and is currently pursuing a Doctoral degree in the Applied Experimental and Human Factors Psychology, under direction of Dr. Peter Hancock. Her research interests include: Macro Ergonomics, Human Performance and Error, Cognitive Engineering, Psychophysics and application of that knowledge to Human – Technology System Development. Especially, Virtual Environments, Adaptive Training/Intervention Systems, Communication and Transportation Systems.

Outside academia, Jurate is a firm believer in and passionate advocate of a holistic lifestyle choices and enjoys staying current in the areas of nutrition, fitness, health and global sustainability. Moreover, when given an opportunity Jurate enjoys exploring discoveries in the field of quantum Physics.








Finance Officer/ Interim Social Chair: Jennifer Leavens

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Jennifer Leavens is a second year graduate student in the Applied Experimental and Human Factors doctoral program at UCF.  She obtained her B.A. in Psychology from the University of South Florida in 2011. Currently, she is under the direction of Dr. Mustapha Mouloua and is a part of the Transportation Research Group (TRG) laboratory. Her research interests include safety and performance in transportation, automation, usability, and aviation psychology.








Webmaster: Shan Lakhmani

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Shan graduated from Grinnell College with a B.A. in Psychology. He is currently a second year student in the Applied Experimental Human Factors program at UCF. He is thrilled to be working as a research assistant in the RETRO lab. His research interests include teaching, training, and behavioral modification using digital media.