Human Factors Engineering, Applied Cognition, UX/HCI, and Design researcher, as well as a transdisciplinary designer and media artist. I hold a terminal M.F.A. in Design and am currently pursuing a Ph.D. in Psychology with a concentration in Human Factors and Applied Cognition.
I am a Human Factors Engineer and researcher working across cognitive psychology, UX/HCI, and design, with a transdisciplinary practice that also includes media art. I bring over 15 years of experience spanning academia, research, marketing, computer graphics, and digital, spatial, and product design. I hold a terminal M.F.A. in Design from the University of Minnesota, where my work focused on human factors, human-computer interaction, and social science research, and I am currently pursuing a Ph.D. in Psychology with a concentration in Human Factors and Applied Cognition at George Mason University. I also hold a B.F.A. in Fine Arts and Computer Graphics from the New York Institute of Technology.
My research applies cognitive psychology and human-centered design to challenges in health, education, media, and cultural contexts. I am particularly interested in neurodiversity, gamification, adaptive systems, media representation, and emerging technologies, with a focus on improving usability, access, participation, effectiveness, and meaningful engagement while supporting more inclusive outcomes.
Emphasis: Human Factors, HCI, and social science research; Minor in Human Factors & Ergonomics.
Thesis: Utilizing VR to Counter-Orientalism: A VR Museum Challenging Orientalist Narratives of the MENA Region.
12 modules, 85 hours, 6 CEUs.
Completed one semester of MFA-level study before the COVID-19 pandemic.
Project: Adaptive VR Chemistry Learning Experience to the Psychophysiological Needs of Diverse Students
Date: Oct. 2022
Role: Principal Investigator; conceptualized the project and wrote the proposal.
Team: Co-PI Dr. Edgar Arriaga, Co-PI Dr. Jeffrey Bye, Consultant Dr. Victoria Interrante
Amount: $669,717
Status: Unfunded
Prepared teaching materials, lectured, graded assignments, and provided student feedback.
Led discussions, prepared lectures, coordinated in-class exercises, graded work, and mentored design students on thesis projects.
Graduate Teaching Assistant, Visual Storytelling | 08/26/2019 – 12/15/2019
Taught visual narrative methods, script development, storyboarding, and mood board creation in an independent breakout section of 22 students in the College of Communication.
Worked remotely with the director on branding, logos, business identities, social media assets, web publication design, and commercial interiors.
Produced architectural stills, walkthroughs, flyby animations, edited drawings, and designed branding and promotional materials.
UX & Web Design Master Course: Strategy, Design, Development (24 hours)
Joe Natoli | 2018
Selected work: Behance Portfolio