NDIA - 2024 Human Systems Conference

As technology advances, the role of the human evolves. With these changes, it becomes ever more important to involve the end-user directly in technology design from the conception of the idea to the delivery, maintenance, and sustainment of the final product.

In addition, advances in policy to incorporate Human Systems Integration (HSI) planning in defense acquisition (such as the publication of DOD Instruction 5000.95) require supportive and informative discourse about how HSI can be successfully planned and implemented within DOD platforms across their lifecycles.

This year’s Human Systems Division conference will feature conversations related to implementation of HSI within existing defense platforms, as well as an activity designed to help designers and acquisition managers keep pace with the evolving role of the human in order to meet user needs and minimize lifecycle costs. In addition to this discourse, we will hear from industry, Government, and academic partners about ongoing HSI work and how the evolving role of the human leads to new dynamics between warfighters and the systems they use.

This conference is one way that the Human Systems community advocates for the implementation of HSI across defense programs, and more broadly provides opportunities for education, consultation, research, and collaboration with regard to the integration of human systems.

8:30 - 8:45 am - Welcome and Introductory Remarks - AUDITORIUM
Lillian Asiala, PhD, Chair Human Systems Division, NDIA, Cognitive Scientist, Sonalysts, Inc.

8:45 - 9:30 am - Keynote Address
Blaine Summers, Director, Joint Simulation Environment, Naval Air Warfare Center Aircraft Division

10:45 - 11:45 am - Advocacy & Metrics Panel
Ben Schwartz, Vice President of Human-Centered Engineering, Monterey Technologies, Inc., Moderator
Joseph Lyons, PhD, Sr. Scientist for Human-Machine Teaming, Air Force Research Laboratory
CDR Brennan Cox, USN, PhD, Human Systems Integration Capability Manager, USSOCOM
Edwin Bundy, PhD, Program Manager (GS-15), Irregular Warfare Technical Support Directorate

1:45 - 2:30 pm - JHSIWG CBA Overview
Napoleon Gaither, Program Analyst, U.S. Army Futures Command, DEVCOM Science & Technology Directorate

2:30 - 3:30 pm - Poster/Demo Session and Refreshment Break - MULTIPURPOSE ROOM

3:30 - 4 pm - HSD Support of the Joint HSI Working Group: HSI Frequently Asked Questions
Hank Phillips, Director, LVC Simulation, Soar Technology
Scott Kozak, President, Neuro Tracker

4 - 4:50 pm - Making HSI Accessible to Everyone - Why It Matters and How We Do It
Ana Borja, Human Systems Integration, Human Factors Engineering Technical Warrant Holder, Naval Information Warfare Systems Command
Daniel Wallace, PhD, Human Factors Engineering Technical Warrant Holder, Naval Sea Systems Command (NAVSEA) 05W
Jim Pharmer, PhD, Chief Scientist, Human Systems Engineering Department, Naval Air Warfare Center Training Systems Division
Gordon Gattie, PhD, Human Systems Integration Technical Warrant Holder, Naval Sea Systems Command

4:50 - 5 pm - Closing Remarks: AUDITORIUM
Lillian Asiala, PhD, Chair Human Systems Division, NDIA Cognitive Scientist, Sonalysts, Inc.

Stuart Michelson, PhD, Deputy Chair Human Systems Division, NDIA, Sr. Research Scientist, Georgia Tech Research Institute

SESSION 1: PERSONALIZED ASSESSMENT, EDUCATION, AND TRAINING (PAE&T)

Elizabeth Uhl, PhD, PAE&T Subarea Lead, Human Systems COI, Sr. Research Psychologist, U.S. Army Research Institute

9:40 - 10 am - Enhancing Pilot Selection: Assessing a New Way to Measure Spatial Orientation in the Test of Basic Aviation Skills - AUDITORIUM
Cadet Adedapo Adeboyejo, USAF, 2024 Class President, U.S. Air Force Academy
Cadet Ryan Trevino, USAF, Cadet, United States Air Force Academy

10:30 - 10:50 am - Algorithmic Scenario Generations for Robust Human-Machine Interaction - AUDITORIUM
Stefanos Nikolaidis, PhD, Professor, University of Southern California

10:50 - 11:10 am - SAE G-45 HSI Committee Process Standards at HSI and Domain Levels - AUDITORIUM
Eric Stohr, Sr. Human Factors System Engineer, Basic Commerce & Industries
11:10 am - 12:10 pm - Networking Lunch - MULTIPURPOSE ROOM

SESSION 2: PROTECTION, SUSTAINMENT, AND WARFIGHTER PERFORMANCE (PS&WP)

12:10 - 12:40 pm - PS&WP Human Systems COI Brief - AUDITORIUM
Logan Williams, PhD, PS&WP Government Co-Chair, Human Systems Division, NDIA Lead, Human Performance Medical Product Area, Air Force Reseach Laboratory

12:40 - 1 pm - Understanding the Implications of Cyber-Relevant Cognitive Vulnerabilities and Their Impacts on Protecting Space and Flight Systems from Cyber Attacks - AUDITORIUM
Lori D. Coombs, MBA, MSE, Sr. Principal Technical Manager, NASA

1 - 1:20 pm - A Scalable Architecture for Integration of Flexible Hybrid Electronics Into Smart Textiles to Support Warfighter Monitoring, Communication, and Performance - AUDITORIUM
Jeffrey Bergman, Engineering Manager, Nextflex

1:20 - 1:40 pm - Exoskeletons: Practical Defense Applications for Wearable Robotics - AUDITORIUM
Tim Swift, PhD, Founder & CEO, Roam Robotics

SESSION 3: SYSTEM INTERFACES & COGNITIVE PROCESSES (SI&CP)

2:10 - 2:40 PM - SI&CP Human Systems COI Brief - AUDITORIUM
Mark Draper, PhD, SI&CP Government Co-Chair, Human Systems Division, NDIA Lead Adaptive Warfighter Interfaces Core Technical Competency, Air Force Research Laboratory

2:40 - 3 pm - Understanding Trust in Next-Generation Human Systems Integration - AUDITORIUM
Janine Mator, Behavior Research Scientist, Leidos

3 - 3:20 pm - Improving Individual Trust in AI Systems by Exploiting Pre-Cooked Methods - AUDITORIUM
Stephen Gordon, PhD, Operations Manager, DCS Corporation

3:20 - 3:40 pm - Creating a Cognitive Load Tool (COLT) for Neuroadaptive Interfaces - AUDITORIUM
Kyle Hickerson, Human Factors Intern, Leidos
Ethan Irby, Jr. Data Scientist, Leidos