Human Computer Interaction at CSU

I'm designing a "Tactile Screen" under the supervision of Dr. Ruiz. The project is a screen that displays simple black and white images as with the rising of small metal pins. This creates a tactile image that can be visualized by blind users. This project was won Honors in the College of Engineering at the Colorado State Celebrating Undergraduate Research Symposium in April of 2014. The basic software for the screen has been developed and hardware is close to being completed. Once completed Dr. Ruiz and I will be seeking participants and IRB approval for testing.

More work from the Human Computer Interaction Lab at CSU can be found at our website.

Research Internship at UMBC

My work with Dr. Hurst focuses on the development of DIY individualized solutions for K-12 education. I'm currently working with a graduate student, Erin Buehler. I will be focusing on the use of 3D printer and scanner technology and developing tools to make this form of DIY development more access able to users without technology training or the time necessary to self teach. Erin and I will be organizing and conducting a study with a variety of focus groups about what they would use 3D printing technology to create. The study will work with groups ranging from K-12 students to the elderly. Dr. Hurst is and assistant professor of Human Centered Computing in the Information Systems Department. More about Amy Hurst and the research done in the Prototyping and Design lab (PAD) can be seen at: http://www.the-pad.com/.

Lakewood High School HUNCH

From December of 2012 to August of 2013 I worked as the lead electrical engineer for the Lakewood High School Students United with NASA to Create Hardware (HUNCH). The group was developing an aquaponics basil growth chamber for the International Space Station (ISS). I developed a lighting, pumping, and rotation system with basic user interface using arduino technology.

More about the hunch program can be found at their website.