Virtual Environment Technical Group

Hello VETG Members!  It's time to vote for new officers for the VETG.  Nominees for each of our six open positions has been generated from the earlier call to service. 

Now we need to formalize the election by voting for the members.  The bios of each of the nominees has been provided below the ballot for your review before voting.  Please vote by copying the ballot below with your selections and email them to dohertsh@erau.edu by COB Monday, 10/25/2021. 

Thank you!

Shawn Doherty

Outgoing VETG Chair

dohertsh@erau.edu

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BALLOT

Chair

                ☐  Benjamin Goldberg

                ☐  Other:  ______________________________________________________________

Secretary

                ☐  Linfeng Wu

                ☐  Other:  ______________________________________________________________

Program Chair-Elect

                ☐  Stephanie Fussell

                ☐  Other:  ______________________________________________________________

Webmaster

                ☐  Aaron Gluck

                ☐  Other:  ______________________________________________________________

Newsletter Editor

                ☐  Michael Rupp

                ☐  Other:  ______________________________________________________________

Communications Director

                ☐  Ricardo Leon Jimenez

                ☐  Other:  ______________________________________________________________

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Position Nominee Bios (Starred positions require a non-student Full HFES Member)

Chair*

☐  Dr. Benjamin Goldberg is a Senior Scientist at the U.S. Army Combat Capabilities Development Command (DEVCOM) Soldier Center, Simulation and Training Technology Center (STTC) in Orlando, FL. He has been conducting research in the Modeling & Simulation community for the past thirteen-years with a focus on adaptive learning in simulation-based environments and how to leverage immersive technology and artificial intelligence to create engaging and personalized learning experiences. Currently, he is the lead scientist on a research program developing adaptive training solutions in support of the Army's Synthetic Training Environment, with tools and methods applied across virtual and augmented reality modes of interaction. Dr. Goldberg has been actively engaged with HFES since 2012 and has produced several contributions to the annual meeting proceedings. He is an active member of the Virtual Environments Technical Group (VETG), with his main commitments serving as the VETG's Program Chair for three years (2018-2020) and organizing/co-chairing the 'Me and My VE' hands-on demonstration events for the same years (2018-2020). Dr. Goldberg is co-creator of the award winning Generalized Intelligent Framework for Tutoring (GIFT; https://giftututoring.org) and holds a PHD from the University of Central Florida in the program of Modeling & Simulation. His work has been published across several well-known conferences and journals, with recent contributions to the HFES, I/ITSEC, Artificial Intelligence in Education and Intelligent Tutoring Systems proceedings, and manuscripts to the journal Computers in Human Behavior, IEEE Transactions on Learning Technologies, the Journal of Cognitive Technology, Defense Modeling and Simulation, and International Journal of Artificial Intelligence in Education.

Secretary  

☒   Linfeng Wu is a PhD student in Edward P. Fitts Department of Industrial and Systems Engineering at North Carolina State University. Linfeng Wu received her Master's degree from School of Artificial Intelligence and Automation at Huazhong University of Science and Technology in Wuhan, China in 2017. Her research focuses on human behaviors and perceptions in virtual reality. 

Program Chair-Elect*  (1 YEAR TERM followed by transition to Program Chair)

☐      Stephanie G. Fussell is an Assistant Professor at Kent State University's College of Aeronautics and Engineering. She teaches Crew Resource Management, Research Methods in Technology, and Quantitative Methods in Technology II and is the Graduate Coordinator of Non-Research Programs. Her research has focused on using extended reality (XR) technologies for aviation and aerospace training. As a proponent of using XR efficiently and effectively, Dr. Fussell's research concentrates on XR usability, user experience, and transfer of training.

Webmaster

☐  I'm Aaron Gluck, a third-year Human-Centered Computing PhD student at Clemson University, where I am the assistant lead research assistant in the Design and Research of In-Vehicle Experiences (DRIVE) Lab. My personal research interests are in VR and accessibility, and I just began working on my dissertation focusing on accessible VR for older adults. Regarding my background in terms of the VETG leadership roles, I am currently maintaining and upkeeping the DRIVE Lab's website. Additionally, during my undergrad, I founded two student organizations, where I had a hand in communicating, planning, and growing the clubs. I look forward to helping the Virtual Environments Technical Group continue to grow in any way I can.

Newsletter Editor*

☐  Michael Rupp is a human factors scientist at HP where he supports the development of virtual reality and computer products. His research includes ergonomics, wearable comfort, safety, gaming, and improving user experiences with virtual reality products. He received his Ph.D. in Human Factors and Cognitive Psychology from the University of Central Florida in 2017.

Communications Director

☐  For over 15 years, Ricardo Leon Jimenez has been part of exciting ventures, from designing missions to the moon to founding tech startups. He has worked in product design and development at NASA, Lockheed Martin, Nokia, Amtrak, SAP, and multiple startups. Ricardo believes in embracing the power of design and technology to achieve a positive impact on the world. He considers himself an infinite learner, meaning he not only enjoys learning but needs to be constantly learning. In the past, Ricardo had the opportunity of living in different countries, including Mexico, Brazil, Thailand, France, and Canada. Besides learning from different cultures and languages, the experience of living around the world has taught him to remain positive and humble about life and the world. Ricardo's academic background includes a bachelor's in aerospace engineering from the Georgia Institute of Technology and a master's in space studies from the International Space University. He is enrolled in a master's in human factors from Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University. Ricardo lives with his family north of Washington, DC.