Members

Dr. Monifa Vaughn-Cooke

0151E Martin Hall | mvc@umd.edu | 301-405-9857

Dr. Monifa Vaughn-Cooke serves as the Director of the UMD Hybrid-Systems Integration and Simulation Laboratory. Dr. Vaughn-Cooke’s interdisciplinary work synthesizes cognitive psychology, systems engineering, and risk assessment. Her research aims to identify the behavioral mechanisms associated with system risk propagation to inform the design of user-centered products and systems. She has worked extensively with federal regulatory agencies on human factors design validation guidance through funded research focused on the integration of human performance empirical data in design decisions.

Ben Knisely

Design Team Lead

Ben is a PhD candidate at the University of Maryland, College Park and is a member of the Hybrid-System Integration and Simulation Lab. Ben’s research interests include human factors, human performance experimentation and modeling, design methodology, and data-driven design. Ben is currently finalizing his dissertation titled “Integrating Human Performance Models into Early Design Stages to Support Accessibility.”

Janell Joyner

VR Team Lead

Janell is a graduate student pursuing a PhD in Reliability engineering. Her research focus is on human factors and understanding what causes a person to misuse a device or system. She leads the VR team in the development of Unity simulations to be used in the CAVE and VR headsets.

Jehnae Linkins

Design Team Lead

Jehnae is a Ph.D. student at the University of Maryland, College Park, and is a member of the Hybrid-System Integration and Simulation Lab. Jehnae’s research interests include biomedical device design, biomechanics, and additive manufacturing.

David Johnson

David is a PhD candidate in Reliability Engineering at the University of Maryland, College Park.  His research focus is Human Reliability, Root Cause Analysis, System Engineering with Cognitive Factors, and Software Reliability.  His Master’s Thesis was focused on the stochastic introduction and removal of faults in software development.  He is currently completing my PhD Dissertation titled “Root Cause Analysis of Adverse Events Using a Human Reliability Analysis Approach.”

Matt Wong

VR Team

I am an undergraduate student in my junior year majoring in Computer Science. Here in the lab, I am on the VR team and I mostly work on Unity Engine-related and coding-related tasks. Outside the lab and my classes, I often like to apply my skills to developing software, especially game development and design.

Camille Livine

Design Team

I am a Senior Mechanical Engineering major at UMD with a minor in Project Management. In the HSIS lab, I am part of the Design team. My passion in engineering currently lies in CAD and mathematical models of systems. Outside of class and research, I am involved with Terps for Change and Engineers without Borders. LinkedIn

Brandon Keplinger

VR Team

I’m a Senior Undergraduate Computer Science and Chinese Double Degree. While in the lab, I do much of the motion tracking work for our simulations. My passion lays in Virtual Reality and Artificial Intelligence, specifically with a focus on human psychology. LinkedIn, Personal Site

Kush Kharod

Design Team

I am a Mechanical Engineering major in the College of Engineering. My passion lies in Product Design and Development, specifically human-centered design. Outside of academics, I am a Resident Assistant for Hagerstown Hall and a tour guide for the University. LinkedIn, Personal Site

Jared Gill

VR Team

I am a Senior Computer Science Major. Outside of academics, I volunteer with several on campus club, and am a Resident Assistant for a community on campus. During my time at the lab, I have developed a custom biosensor to be used in studies, designed experiment scenarios in Unity for use in the VR Cave, and built the lab website. I am interested in VR technology, as well as cyber security. LinkedIn

Aaron Kong

VR Team

I am an undergraduate junior majoring in Computer Science at the University of Maryland, College Park. I am in the lab’s VR team where I mostly work on Unity Engine and coding-related tasks. Outside the lab and in my classes, I often apply my skills to developing software especially in machine learning and computer vision. LinkedIn

Danyal Malik

VR Team

I am an undergraduate student in my senior year, studying Mechanical Engineering with a minor in Nonprofit Leadership & Social Innovation. In the lab, I am on the Automated External Defibrillator Simulation team, working on mainly Unity Engine and coding related tasks. Outside of lab and schoolwork, I often look into new software engineering skills to learn more about, including machine learning, AI, and robotics.