2026 Officers

 

  • President – Maha Naseer

A woman in a graduation gown and heels stands by a large fountain with a modern building in the background, holding her cap.

Maha Naseer is a third-year PhD student in the Human Factors and Cognitive Psychology program. Originally from Atlanta, she completed her undergraduate degree from Georgia State University in 2023 and got her Master’s in HFC at UCF in May 2026. Currently, she works under Dr. Mouloua in the Transportation Research Group (TRG) and focuses on distracted driving simulations and examining attention processes in individuals with ADHD. In her spare time, she enjoys painting and playing piano.

 

  • Vice President – Phuoc Thai

Woman with straight dark hair in a low bun, wearing a gray ribbed turtleneck sweater and a necklace, standing against a plain light background.

Phuoc Thai is a forth-year Ph.D. student in the Human Factors and Cognitive Psychology program at UCF. She works under Dr. Joseph Schmidt’s advisement in the Attention and Memory Lab to study human-AI interaction. She received her BS in Psychology with a minor in Cognitive Sciences from UCF in 2023 and her MA in Human Factors and Cognitive Psychology from UCF in 2025. In her spare time, she enjoys creating musical melodies and exploring new places.

 

  • Secretary – Grace Sinclair

A woman with straight brown hair, wearing a white shirt and black pants, stands outdoors with arms crossed, smiling in front of a wooden railing and trees.

Grace Sinclair is a third-year PhD student in the Human Factors and Cognitive Psychology program. She received her B.A. in Psychology from the University of South Florida and her M.A. in Human Factors and Cognitive Psychology from the University of Central Florida. She works in the Attention and Memory lab with Dr. Joseph Schmidt conducting research focusing on how visual information is integrated across different types of tasks through the use of eye tracking. In her free time, she enjoys traveling and spending time with friends and family.

 

  • Treasurer – Cindy von Ahlefeldt

Woman with long wavy blonde hair, red lipstick, and a black sequined top poses in front of a plain white background.

Cindy von Ahlefeldt serves as Treasurer for the Human Factors and Ergonomics Society (HFES) Student Chapter at the University of Central Florida. She is a fourth-year Ph.D. student in Human Factors and Cognitive Psychology, with research interests in stress, human performance, technology use, decision-making, artificial intelligence, and digital health. Cindy has presented her research at national and international conferences and has contributed to interdisciplinary work across psychology, healthcare, human factors, and simulation. She is also passionate about teaching, mentorship, and student leadership, with teaching experience at both UCF and Everglades University. Before graduate school, Cindy competed as an NCAA Division I track and cross-country athlete. She brings that same dedication to teamwork and leadership to HFES and is committed to strengthening student engagement and professional development within the chapter.