Joseph P. O'Brien

Human Factors Specialist and Researcher

M.S. in Human Factors
Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University
May, 2025

B.S. in Human Factors Psychology
Minor in Space Studies
Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University
May, 2024

I'm a Human Factors graduate student passionate about improving safety and performance in complex systems. I lead transcription work for NASA’s IASMS project and conduct research on a variety of other topics. My work bridges cognitive science and system design to support smarter, safer human-technology interaction.

About Me

Featured Projects

Résumé

About

Joseph P. O'Brien

Joseph is a Human Factors Specialist and Researcher with a strong interest in human performance, safety, and cognitive systems design. He brings a multidisciplinary approach to the study of how people interact with complex technologies—especially in high-stakes environments like aviation and autonomous systems. His work includes serving as the Transcription Team Lead for the NASA-ERAU In-Time Aviation Safety Management System (IASMS) project, where he analyzes pilot behavior and resilient performance through over-the-shoulder videos and cued retrospective think-aloud sessions. He also has conducted research on signal detection theory as it applies to pedestrian recognition in semi-autonomous vehicles. In addition to these projects, Joseph has co-authored peer-reviewed publications focused ethics in aviation and space, and the value of incremental research in aviation.

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Résumé

Featured Projects & Publications

This section highlights a selection of projects and publications that reflect my experience at the intersection of human factors, design, and research. From collaborative work on aviation safety with NASA to independent research in cognition and system performance, each project showcases a commitment to human-centered problem-solving. You’ll also find examples of UI/UX design, infographic communication, and peer-reviewed publications that demonstrate both technical skill and scientific insight.