Dr. David B. Kaber's NCSU Home Page

David B. Kaber, PhD, CHFP

Edward P. Fitts Department of Industrial & Systems Engineering

North Carolina State University

448 Daniels Hall
Raleigh, NC 27695-7906 (NCSU)

Phone: (919) 515-3086
Fax: (919) 515-5281

E-mail: dbkaber@eos.ncsu.edu

Current work and interests:

I've worked at NCSU since 2000. I'm currently a professor of Industrial & Systems Engineering and I'm an associate faculty in the Department of Psychology. I direct the Industrial Engineering Cognitive Ergonomics Lab. I also hold a visiting professorship through the Institute for Automation at the University of Rostock, Germany.

Over the past several years, I have taught ergonomics (ISE 452) on the undergraduate level. I've also taught an introductory graduate course on occupational safety (ISE 541). For both the ISE and Psychology departments, I've taught human factors in systems design (ISE/PSY 540), an advanced graduate course on human performance modeling (ISE/PSY 745), and a graduate course on the engineering psychology of human-computer interaction (ISE/PSY 740). I enjoy teaching on both the graduate and undergraduate levels.

My current research interests include human-automation interaction, human-robot interaction, multi-modal and intelligent user interface design, and virtual reality design. My current projects include study of human interaction with life sciences automation, specifically supervisory control of highly-automated and roboticized chemical screening lines for biotechnology development. I'm also studying human performance effects of adaptive automation in complex systems and the use of cognitive modeling techniques for explaining variations in situation awareness. I have another project with NASA focused on the development of a new metric of display clutter for analyzing synthetic vision system displays in commercial aviation cockpits. Other student projects, in which I'm involved, include investigation of the effects of automobile automation and distracter tasks on driver situation awareness, assessment of the usefulness of virtual reality systems and locomotion interfaces for multitasking (physical and cognitive loading) research, and the development of decision support tools for supporting anesthesia providers in crisis situations.

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Here are links to web pages for my classes:

Here is a list of most of my published journal papers (with links to PDFs):

ISE 352: Work Analysis & Design

ISE 452: Ergonomics

ISE/PSY 540: Human Factors in Systems Design

ISE 541: Occupational Safety Engineering (On-line)

ISE 740: Engineering Psychology of Human-Computer Interaction

ISE/PSY 745: Human Performance

ISE 794B/PSY 710U: Special Topic: Cognitive Engineering

(Note: Some of these links may not be active because we made several recent catalog changes, which have yet to be reflected in the NCSU Wolfware System.)

Here is a list of some of the theses and dissertations prepared by my previous students (with links to PDFs):

Doctoral Dissertations:

Rebecca Green, “ Cognitive task analyses for life science automation training program design.”

Sang-Hwan Kim, “Examining and Explaining the Effects of Non-Iconic Conformal Features in Advanced Head-up Displays on Pilot Performance."

Ruiqi Ma, “The Effect of In-vehicle Automation and Reliability on Driver Situation Awareness and Trust.”

Jennifer M. Riley, “The Utility of Measures of Attention and Situation Awareness for Quantifying Telepresence.”

Noa Segall, “Design and Prototyping of a Cognitive Model-Based Decision Support Tool for Anesthesia Provider Management of Crisis Situations.”

Mohamed A. Sheiknainar, "Situation Awareness and Gait Control in Mixed Cognitive and Physical Task Performance under Perturbations.”

Melanie C. Wright, “The Effect of Automation on Team Performance and Team Communication.”

Tao Zhang, “Using Measures of Situation Awareness to Characterize Mental Models in Inductive Reasoning Tasks."

Masters Theses:

Michael P. Clamann, “The Effects of Intermediate Levels of Invocation Authority on Adaptive Automation of Various Stages of Information Processing.”

Sangeun Jin, "The Effect of Driver Cognitive Abilities and Distraction on Situation
Awareness and Performance under Hazard Conditions."

Lashanda Lee, "Assessing Interactive System Effectiveness with Usability Design Heuristics and Markov Models of User Behavior."

Yingjie Li, "Modeling the Effects of Time Lag in a Virtual Reality (VR)-Based Haptic Surgical Simulator." (Co-chair with Y-S Lee.)

Ruiqi Ma, “Telepresence and Performance in an Immersive Virtual Environment and Sporting Task.”

Christopher K. McClernon, “Situation Awareness Effects of Adaptive Automation of Various Air Traffic Control Information Processing Functions.”

Mohamed Sheiknainar. “The Effect of QoS adaptation on Internet-Based Teleoperation Involving Use of a Virtual Reality Interface.” (Co-chair with M-Y. Chow.)

Heather L. Warren, “Auditory Cueing Effects on Human Performance with an Adaptive System."

Yu (Zeno) Zhang, “An Empirical Assessment of Driver Motivation and Emotional State, and Driving Conditions on Perceived Safety Margins."

Biwen Zhu, “Design of Etiquette for Patient Robot Interaction in a Medicine Delivery Task."

Anderson A., Mirka, G. A., Joines, S. M B. & Kaber, D. B. (in press). Analysis of alternative keyboards using learning curves. To Appear in Human Factors.
Kaber, D. B., Alexander, A. L., Stelzer, E. M., Kim, S-H., Kaufmann, K. & Hsiang, S. M. (2008). Perceived clutter in advanced cockpit displays: Measurement and modeling with experienced pilots. Avia. Space & Env. Med., 79(11), BOI: 10.3357/ASEM.2319.2008.
Kim, S-H. & Kaber, D. B. (2008). Design and evaluation of dynamics text editing methods using foot pedals. Int. J. of Industrial Ergonomics, DOI: 10.1016/j.ergon.2008.07.010.
Kaber, D. B., Perry, C. M., Segall, N. & Sheik-Nainar. M. A. (2007). Workload state classification with automation during simulated air traffic control. Int. J. of Avia. Psych, 17(4), 371-390.
Ma, R. & Kaber, D. B. (2007). Effects of in-vehicle navigation assistance and performance on driver trust. Int. J. of Indus. Ergo., 37: 665-673.
Ma, R. & Kaber, D. B. (2007). Situation awareness and driving performance in a simulated navigation task. Ergonomics, 50(8), 1351-1364. [This is the author's copy of the work. It is posted here by permission of Taylor & Francis for personal use, not for redistribution. The definitive version was published in Ergonomics, 50 (8), 2007 (DOI:10.1080/00140130701318913).]
Sheik-Nainar, M. A. & Kaber, D. B. (2007). The utility of a virtual reality locomotion interface for studying gait behavior. Human Factors, 49(4), 696-709.
Endsley, M. R., Hoffman, R., Kaber, D. B. & Roth, E. (2007). Cognitive engineering and decision making: An overview and future course. J. of Cognitive Engineering and Decision Making, 1(1), 1-21.
Perry, C. M., Sheik-Nainar, M. A., Segall, N., Ma, R. & Kaber, D.B. (2007). The effects of physical workload on situation awareness and cognitive task performance in multitasking. Theo. Issues in Ergo. Sci., 9(2), 95-113.
Kaber, D. B., Perry, C. M., Segall, N., McClernon, C. K. & Prinzel, L. P. (2006). Situation awareness implications of adaptive automation for information processing in an air traffic control-related task. Int. J. of Industrial Ergonomics, 36, 447-462.
Ma, R. & Kaber, D. B. (2006). Presence, workload and performance effects of synthetic environment design factors. Int. J. of Human-computer Studies, 64, 541-552.
Kaber, D. B., Wright, M. C. & Sheik-Nainar, M. (2006). Multimodal interface design for adaptive automation of a human-robot system. Int. J. of Human-computer Studies, 64, 527-540.
Kaber, D. B., Segall, N., Green, R. S., Entzian, K. & Junginger, S. (2006). Using multiple cognitive task analysis methods for supervisory control interface design in high-throughput biological screening processes. To appear in the International Journal of Cognitive Technology & Work.
Ma, R. and Kaber, D. B. (2005). Situation awareness and workload in driving while using adaptive cruise control and a cell phone. Int. J. of Industrial Ergonomics, 35(10), 939-953.
Wright, M. C. and Kaber, D. B. (2005). Effects of automation of information processing functions on teamwork. Human Factors, 47(1), 50-66.
Kaber, D. B., Wright, M. C., Prinzel, L. P. and Clamann, M. P. (2005). Adaptive automation of human-machine system information processing functions. Human Factors, 47(4), 730-741.
Sheik-Nainar, M. A., Kaber, D. B. and Chow, M-Y. (2005). Control gain adaptation in virtual reality mediated human-telerobot interaction. Human Factors & Ergonomics in Manufacturing, 15(3), 259-274.
Clamann, M. P. and Kaber, D. B. (2004). Applicability of usability evaluation techniques to aviation systems. International Journal of Aviation Psychology, 14(4), 395-421.
Leyman, E. L. C., Kaber, D. B., Mirka, G. A. and Sommerich, C. (2004). Assessing the relationship between cognitive load and cerviobrachial muscle response in a dual-task scenario. Ergonomics, 47(6), 625-645.
Chen, C-L, Kaber, D. B. and Dempsey, P. D. (2004). Using feedforward neural networks and forward selection of input variables for an ergonomics data classification problem. Human Factors & Ergonomics in Manufacturing, 14(1), 31-50.
Kaber, D. B. and Endsley, M. R. (2004). The effects of level of automation and adaptive automation on human performance, situation awareness and workload in a dynamic control task. Theoretical Issues in Ergonomics Science, 5(2), 113-153.
Riley, J. M., Kaber, D. B. and Draper, J. V. (2004). Using measures of situation awareness and attention allocation to quantify telepresence experiences in teleoperation. Human Factors & Ergonomics in Manufacturing, 14(1), 51-68.
Shivers, C., Mirka, G. A. and Kaber, D. B. (2002). Effect of grip span on lateral pinch grip strength. Human Factors, 44(4), 569-577.
Kaber, D. B., Tan, K-W and Riley, J. (2002). Improved usability of aviation automation through direct manipulation and graphical user interface design. International Journal of Aviation Psychology, 12(2), 153-180.
Kaber, D. B., Riley, J., Tan, K-W and Endsley, M. R. (2001). On the design of adaptive automation for complex systems. International Journal of Cognitive Ergonomics, 5(1), 37-57.
Chen, C-L., Kaber, D. B and Dempsey, P. G. (2000). A new approach to applying feedforward neural networks to the prediction of musculoskeletal disorder risk. Applied Ergonomics, 31, 269-282.
Kaber, D. B., Onal, E. and Endsley, M. R. (2000). Design of automation for telerobots and the effect on performance, operator situation awareness and subjective workload. Human Factors & Ergonomics in Manufacturing, 10(4), 409-430.
Usher, J. M. and Kaber, D. B. (2000). Establishing information requirements for supervisory controllers in a flexible manufacturing system using goal-directed task analysis. Human Factors & Ergonomics in Manufacturing, 10(4), 431-452.
Kaber, D. B. and Usher, J. M. (2000). Preface: Cognitive engineering in automated systems design. Human Factors and Ergonomics in Manufacturing, 10(4), 363-368.
Draper, J. V., Kaber, D. B., and Usher, J. M. (1999). Speculations on the value of Telepresence. Cyberpsychology & Behavior, 2, 349-362.
Endsley, M. R. and Kaber, D. B. (1999). Level of automation effects on performance, situation awareness and workload in a dynamic control task. Ergonomics, 42(3), 462-492.
Kaber, D. B. and Riley, J. (1999). Adaptive automation of a dynamic control task based on secondary task workload measurement. International Journal of Cognitive Ergonomics, 3(3), 169-187.
Macedo, J. A., Kaber, D. B., Endsley, M. R., Powanusorn, P. and Myung, S. (1999). The effects of automated compensation for incongruent axes on teleoperator performance. Human Factors, 40(4), 541-553.
Mital, A., Pennathur, A., Huston, R. L., Thompson, D., Pittman, M., Markle, G., Kaber, D. B., Crumpton, L., Bishu, R. R., Rajurkar, K. P., Rajan, V., Fernandez, J. E., McMulkin, M., Deivanayagam, S., Ray, P. S. and Sule, D. (1999). The need for worker training in advanced manufacturing technology (AMT) environments: A white paper. International Journal of Industrial Ergonomics, 24, 173-184.
Pennathur, A., Mital, A., Rajan, V., Kaber, D. B., Ray, P., Huston, R., Thompson, D., Markle, G., Pitman, M. A., Bishu, R. R., Crumpton, L., Deivanayagam, S., Fernandez, J. E., McElwee, M., McMulkin, M. and Sule, D. (1999). A framework for training workers in contemporary manufacturing environments. International Journal of Computer Integrated Manufacturing (Special Issue on Human Integration in Advanced Manufacturing), 12(4), 291-310.
Draper, J. V., Kaber, D. B., and Usher, J. M. (1998). Telepresence. Human Factors, 40(3), 354-375. (Winner of the Jerome H. Ely Human Factors Article Award for the most outstanding article in Human Factors during 1998.)
Kaber, D. B. and Endsley, M. R. (1998). Team situation awareness for process control safety and performance. Process Safety Progress, 17(1), 43-48.
Kaber, D. B. and Endsley, M. R. (1997). Out-of-the-loop performance problems and the use of intermediate levels of automation for improved control system functioning and safety. Process Safety Progress, 16(3), 126-131.

(Contact me at dbkaber@ncsu.edu if you would like reprints of other papers listed in my vitae.)

Here is a link to my vitae:

Some information on my background:

Kaber vitae (PDF updated May 2009)

I received my Ph.D. in Industrial Engineering at Texas Tech University, with a specialization in cognitive ergonomics. My dissertation investigated the effects of levels of automation in dynamic control tasks on human performance, workload and situation awareness. I completed my Masters and Bachelors degrees in Industrial Engineering at the University of Central Florida.

Prior to joining NCSU, I worked as an assistant professor of Industrial Engineering at Mississippi State University (MSU) and as an instructor of engineering science and mathematics at Amarillo College. At MSU I received a National Science Foundation (NSF) CAREER award for research on telerobotics and telepresence. I also completed multiple grants for NASA Langley involving research on level of autonomy in advanced commercial aircraft cockpits and the application of adaptive automation to air traffic control. Beyond this, I completed a project for the Office of Naval Research on the implications of automation state changes in complex systems control and auditory cueing on human performance and situation awareness.

Since joining NCSU, I have conducted a NSF Information Technology Research project with the Center for Life Sciences Automation at the University of Rostock. This work is focused on human interaction with life sciences automation and supervisory control of highly-automated and roboticized chemical screening processes for drug derivative discovery. I have also worked as a research consultant on several Small Business Innovative Research grants with human factors engineering firms to address research needs of the Department of Defense, including Army training of infantry soldiers for close-quarters combat.

I'm currently serving as an Area Editor for the Journal of Cognitive Engineering & Decision Making handling manuscripts on “Studies in Simulations and Synthetic Environments”. I'm also a member of the editorial boards for Human Factors, the International Journal of Industrial Ergonomics, Theoretical Issues in Ergonomics Science, and Human Factors & Ergonomics in Manufacturing. I'm a member of ASEE, the Human Factors & Ergonomics Society, the Ergonomics Society, IEEE and IIE.