Professor:
Edward Rinalducci, Ph.D. (Emeritus)
earned his B.A. with honors from Lehigh University in 1960, his M.A. in psychology from the University of New Hampshire in 1963, & his Ph.D. in experimental psychology from the University of Rochester in 1966. He was a researcher at the University of Virginia (1965-1979), the Georgia Institute of Technology (1978-1986), & the University of Central Florida (1986- present). Dr. Rinalducci is also a Fellow of APA Division 21, Fellow Emeritus of the Illuminating Engineering Society of North America, Human Factors & Ergonomics Society (HFES), Psi Chi, & Sigma XI. He has over 90 research publications in journals such as Vision Research, Journal of the Optical Society of America, Journal of the Illuminating Engineering Society, & Presence. Dr. Rinalducci’s work in mainly in the field of sensation and perception, visual perception, human factors, and especially in psychophysics, physiology of vision, visual perception, lighting systems, & human factors in transportation systems. He currently teaches the following classes at the University of Central Florida, Orlando, FL: human factors, history and systems, visual performance, sensation and performance, & general psychology.
Graduate Alumni:
Jessica Michaelis, M.S. Ph.D. received her Master’s Degree in Modeling and Simulation, Human Systems Track, as well her Doctorate in Applied Experimental and Human Factors Psychology at the University of Central Florida. Jessica’s research interests included driving performance in individuals who have cognitive impairments, distracted driving, attention, as well as cognitive restoration.
Michael A. Rupp, M.
S. earned his M.S. Modeling & Simulation in the human systems track at the University of Central Florida in 2012 and his Psychology B.S. in 2009. Currently he pursuing his Ph.D. in the Applied Experimental Human Factors Psychology program with a specialization in Cognitive Neuroscience at the University of Central Florida. He has two graduate certificates in in Instructional Design for Simulations and another for Design for Usability. His research interests include evaluating human performance in simulated environments, human computer interaction, attention, and usability.
José Vasquez, Ph.D. graduated with his PhD in Applied Experimental Human Factors Psychology. His research interests included cognitive changes associated with aging, personality and driving behavior, distracted driving, aging and memory, and language acquisition.
Michael Boyce, Ph.D, has a research background and interest in issues with ergonomics and design for assistive technologies as they relate to persons with disabilities. Michael graduated with his Master’s degree in Human-Computer Interaction with a focus in assistive technology from the Georgia Institute of Technology in 2008. Michael’s focus in assistive technology has continued in his doctoral studies in the development of mobile technology for the treatment of Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder in combat-returnees, as well as assessment of adaptive driving controls for individuals with spinal cord injuries. This project was funded in part by the Central Florida Chapter of the Paralyzed Veterans Association of America. At the start of his doctoral program, Michael was transitioned to the Science and Technology Directorate of the Department of Homeland Security where he has been specifically tasked to focus on assistive technology and human performance needs of persons with disabilities. Past involvement includes research into improving Section 508 user-interface standards for persons with disabilities, and most recently emergency evacuation & preparedness using assistive technology. A wheelchair user himself, Michael uses his own experiences as well as a technical expertise to find solutions to complex problems in the area of assistive technology.
Marc D. Gentzler, Ph.D. graduated from the University of Kentucky in 2003 with a bachelor’s of arts in psychology, and from the Claremont Graduate University in 2007 with a Master’s of Arts in Psychology. Marc graduated with his PhD in Applied Experimental Human Factors Psychology from the University of Central Florida. Marc’s dissertation research focused on driving and distraction across age groups, with an emphasis on practice, eye tracking, and inattentional blindness.
Jonathan L. Ledbetter, M.B.A., Ph.D, graduated from the University of Central Florida with a Ph.D. in Applied Experimental and Human Factors Psychology at the University of Central Florida. He received his B.A. in Psychology from East Tennessee State University and his M.B.A. from the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga. His research interests included perception of time, amusement park safety and design, product design and usability, applied ergonomics, anthropometrics, and human computer interaction.
Nicholas A. Higgins M.S. graduated with a Psychology B.S., M.S. in Applied Experimental and Human Factors Psychology and a M.S. in Industrial Engineering. His research interests included studying and enhancing the environment of the worker in industrially developing countries applying various areas in human factors psychology (e.g., cross-cultural psychology, technology transfer, interface design, stress, human performance, etc.). This interest has developed from extensive mission work in various Latin American countries.