About me
I am a human factors researcher and biomedical engineer, currently working as a consultant in medical device and healthcare domains. As an independent Human Factors Consultant , I apply a variety of research techniques including UX design, ergonomic reviews, formative and summative usability testing, ethnographic studies, and market research in order to provide clients with recommendations for product improvements. I manage multidisciplinary teams to execute usability studies across multiple domestic and international locations, which consist of 8 - 150+ participants and are in accordance with the FDA regulatory guidance for Applying Human Factors and Usability Engineering to Medical Devices.
Previously, I was employed as a Human Factors Engineer at Design Science, Bresslergroup, and Delve. During my time at these consultantcies, I implemented novel testing and reporting techniques to improve efficiency and consistency across the Human Factors department. This process improvement directly led to data visualization deliverables and innovative solutions for clients. In addition to this position, I also acted as a Quality Team Specialist. Within this role, I developed and maintained new and existing policies and SOPs, supported internal and external audits, and led an initiative to move all records and SOPs to an electronic system.
In 2015, I completed a Masters degree in Human Factors and Applied Cognition from George Mason University. While enrolled in the graduate program at George Mason, I worked part-time as a Research Assistant at the National Center for Human Factors in Healthcare, part of the MedStar Health Research Institute and the Institute of Innovation. In this role, I expanded my skills to include field research in hospital and clinical settings. Working with a team of cognitive psychologists, physicians, and engineers helped reinforce the importance of having a strong discipline around conducting end-to-end research studies, from problem identification to developing creative solutions.
Prior to my graduate studies, I earned a Bachelors Degree in Biomedical Engineering from Drexel University. While attending Drexel, I worked for an external biomechanical consulting firm as an Engineering Assistant for over three years. In this role, I gained experience in performing failure analysis, material and surface characterization, and designing custom testing procedures for a broad range of medical devices. My responsibilities also included creating standard operating procedures, technical memos and reports suitable for client and FDA submission. I also assisted and observed human factor studies and litigation cases dealing with failure analysis and product design.