Applied Cognition Lab

David Strayer, Ph.D.

Professor

Dr. David Strayer is a Professor in the Department of Psychology at the University of Utah and Director for the Center for the Prevention of Distracted Driving. He received his Masters degree in Experimental Psychology from Eastern Washington University and his PhD in Experimental Psychology from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. Afterward, he completed a postdoctoral fellowship at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign and worked briefly as a Member of Technical Staff at GTE Laboratories before joining the faculty at the University of Utah. David has received many awards and honors during his career, including being named a Fellow of the Association for Psychological Sciences, receiving the Interdiscipliniary Teaching Grand Award from the Psychology of Traffic, and being awarded the University of Utah Distinguished Scolarly and Creative Research Award. David’s research has also been featured among Discover Magazine’s 100 Top Science Stories in 2003 and 2005. He has also given briefings to the US House and Senate on distracted driving issues.

Joel Cooper, Ph.D.

Research Assistant Professor

Dr. Cooper received a PhD in cognition and neural science in 2010 from the University of Utah. He is also the owner/CEO at Red Scientific, Inc.–a company that specializes in portable cognitive and physiological detection equipment for studying the underlying mechanisms of driver behavior. Dr. Cooper has spent the last decade investigating issues in driver distraction, multi-tasking behavior, skill acquisition, and Nonlinear Dynamical Systems. Within the Human Factors and Driving communities, Joel is known as a passionate inventor, entrepreneur, leader, and visionary. Prior to joining Red Scientific, Joel was the Owner of Precision Driving Research where he led numerous public and privately sponsored research projects. When he isn't working, Joel prefers to spend time with his family skiing, climbing, or just poking around in the yard.

Francesco Biondi, Ph.D.

Research Assistant Professor

Dr. Biondi received his PhD from The University of Padova in 2014 studying distracted driving, driver-ADAS interaction and autonomous vehicles. He collaborated extensively with Dr. Strayer as a visiting researcher and applied this experience at Jaguar Land Rover. At Jaguar, Dr. Biondi worked on the design of HMI for voice systems, warning systems, infotainment systems and crash prevention systems. He was also heavily involved in the design of the HMI for NHTSA level 3 and 4 vehicles. His professional interests involve designing easy-to-use, adaptive human-machine interfaces using a human-centered approach. In his current role at the University of Utah Dr. Biondi performs usability testing of a vehicles' HMI; specifically, he has been developing a framework to measure drivers’ interaction with vehicles’ HMI by measuring user performance and impacts on safety. Dr. Biondi’s main interest pertains to investigating the role of human physiology in creating more accurate driver monitoring systems.

Spencer Castro, M.S.

Ph.D. Expected 2019

Spencer is a Graduate Research Fellow studying the application of process models to measurements of cognitive load during multitasking; mostly when people simultaneously engage with technology and automobiles. He utilizes simple behavioral methods to assess shifts in reaction time and accuracy distributions in order to determine the ecological validity of lab-based behavioral tasks (e.g. the Eriksen Flanker or International Standards Organization Detection Response Task) when applied to measurements of dual task cost, distraction, cognitive load, and situation awareness. After receiving a Bachelor of Science from Stanford University in 2011 and a Master of Science degree from the University of California, Santa Cruz, Spencer joined the Applied Cognition Lab at the University of Utah in 2015.

Emily Scott, M.S.

Ph.D. Expected 2020

Emily is a Graduate Research/Teaching Assistant studying how attention and stress are modulated by exposure to natural environments. In particular, Emily is interested in the coupling between neurophysiological measures (e.g., EEG) and peripheral physiological measures (e.g., Heart-rate variability) in restorative settings. Emily graduated with distinction from the George Washington University in 2013 with a degree in psychology and previously worked in health behavior and attention labs. Before attending graduate school, She also worked for a research company called Westat, where she helped coordinate government funded health policy and education projects. Emily received her M.S. in psychology from the University of Utah in 2017.

Sara LoTemplio

M.S. Expected 2020

Sara is a Graduate Teaching Assistant interested in the interaction of attentional capacity and natural environments. She is particularly interested in the attentional restorative properties of nature and their underlying neural mechanisms. Sara graduated with distinction from Colby College with a Bachelor of Arts both in Psychology with a concentration in neuroscience and in Environmental Science in 2016. Before Utah, she worked for three years as an undergraduate research assistant in Colby’s Memory and Language Lab on projects relating to semantic memory, false memory, the testing effect, and cognitive aging.

Amy McDonnell

M.S. Expected 2021

Amy McDonnell is a Graduate Research Assistant interested in the cognitive and physiological benefits of spending an extended amount of time—anywhere from one week to multiple months—in nature. She is particularly interested in exploring various methods (EEG, fMRI, eye tracking) to determine the neurological mechanisms involved in such benefits. Amy is also involved in research exploring cognition and attention while driving automated vehicles and interacting with in-vehicle infotainment systems. Amy graduated with distinction from Boston College in 2015 with a degree in Neuropsychology and has experience working in clinical mental health research in Los Angeles. Most recently, Amy worked as a backpacking guide for a wilderness therapy program in southern Utah. 

Gus Erickson, Research Associate

Gus joined the Applied Cognition Lab in June of 2018 as a Research Associate. Currently, he is working in the Center for Driving Safety and Technology as an on-road data collector. Gus graduated from the University of Utah in the summer of 2018 with a B.S. in Psychology and a minor in Chemistry. During his undergraduate career, Gus volunteered for a fMRI study concerning the effects of oxytocin on reward pathways in the brain. When he isn’t in the lab, Gus can typically be found playing hockey or coaching the Bountiful High School Hockey team. Gus also enjoys snowboarding, rock climbing, and simply getting outside.

Amanda Carriero, Research Associate

Amanda is a Research Associate for the Applied Cognition lab as of Fall 2018 and is working with on-road data collection. She graduated from Ohio University in 2017 with a BS in Communication Sciences and Disorders and a minor in Spanish. Prior to her work here she was in a lab in the Linguistics Department at OU, working on research regarding accent modification and linguistic differences in L2 acquisition amongst international professionals. She also has extensive experience working with individuals with neurological differences. Outside the lab she enjoys collecting coffee mugs, finding new local brunch spots and taking long hikes with her dog.

Kaedyn Crabtree, Research Associate

Kaedyn has been a part of the Applied Cognition Lab since fall 2016. She started out as a research assistant in the Nature and Cognition lab where she conducted a virtual reality research project measuring attention and working memory in natural and urban VR environments. Currently, she works in the Center for Driving Safety and Technology testing the effects that semi-autonomous cars have on drivers. Expecting to graduate in 2020 as an honors student in Psychology, and Human Factors, she hopes to advance her education in Neuropsychology in the future. Outside of the lab, Kaedyn loves to hike, paddleboard, and collect house plants.

Trent Simmons, Research Associate

Trent has been with the Applied Cognition Lab working in the Center for Driving Safety and Technology since Fall of 2018, starting as a part-time research assistant and then moving to full-time. When working in the lab, Trent helps with on-road data collection, data processing, along with the everyday tasks of the lab. Trent graduated from the University of Utah in May of 2019 with a Bachelor’s of Science in Psychology and a Minor in Spanish. When he isn’t in the lab, he can be found traveling, hanging out with friends and family, or watching Netflix. Trent plans on applying to graduate programs in Cognitive Psychology within the next few years.

James Coleman, M.S.

Ph.D. 2017

James Coleman was a Doctoral Candidate specializing in individual differences in working memory capacity. By using neuroimaging methodologies (EEG/ERPs) to find neurophysiological markers of multitasking ability and working memory capacity, he focused on the extent to which individual differences dictate attentional control and executive function. James also helped to identify how cognitive distraction influences driving performance in collaboration with the Center for Distracted Driving Research. James graduated with a Bachelor of Science from the University of Utah in 2010, and had since helped to organize and run assessments for the potential distraction of on-road vehicles with physiological and behavioral measurements.

Jonna Turrill, M.S.

Ph.D. 2018

Jonna Turrill was a Doctoral Candidate with extensive experience in data collection and analysis, quality control, and research team training. Since 2011 she had been involved in behavioral data collection and analysis, neuroimaging techniques (i.e., EEG, fMRI), and human factors usability testing of vehicle systems (IVIS, ADAS, etc.). Jonna graduated Summa Cum Laude from Biola University in 2009, and has since published over 10 peer reviewed articles and reports ranging from distraction measurement to the effects of every technology conceivably used in modern automobiles. As an integral member of the Applied Cognition Lab’s on-road vehicle reports for the AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety, Jonna helped to determine levels of potential distraction for technology in modern automobiles by utilizing behavioral and physiological methods. Jonna has since accepted a Human Factors position at Western Governors University.

Rachel Hopman, M.S.

Ph.D. Expected 2018

Rachel Hopman was a Graduate Research Assistant researching the theory of attention restoration by exploring possible neurological changes with exposure to various natural settings. Using electroencephalography and behavioral measurements, she determined how attention to an environment influences the experience of cognition restoration in nature. Rachel also helped determine how cognition distraction influences driving performance in collaboration with the Center for Distracted Driving Research. Specifically, she contributed to the utilization of behavioral and neurophysiological measurements in order to determine levels of distraction potential when driving in equipped on-road vehicles. Rachel graduated with distinction from the University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign in 2014. Rachel has since received a Postdoctoral position at Northeastern University.

Camille Wheatley, Research Associate

Camille graduated from Southern Utah University in 2016 with a B.S. in Psychology and a minor in Ceramics. Currently, Camille is co-leading a study in the Center for Driving Safety and Technology focusing on semi-autonomous vehicles and their effects on drivers. She previously worked on projects involving the distraction potential of infotainment systems, and worked on expert evaluations for individual vehicle reports. Prior to this position, Camille conducted research at SUU investigating framing effects on subjective mediums of art and worked as a teaching assistant for Industrial and Organizational Psychology and Research Methods courses in the psychology department. Outside of the lab, Camille enjoys traveling, cooking, and exploring various artistic outlets.

Conner Motzkus, Research Assistant

Conner graduated with his B.S. in Psychology from Southern Utah University in the Spring of 2016. He co-leads the on-road portion of the lab focusing on assessing the effect of semi-autonomous vehicles on drivers. Prior to his work here, he has worked on projects investigating caretaker perceptions of problematic pornography use, the effect of a brief yogic intervention, and the impact of anthropogenic noise on the soundscapes of Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument. When not at work, Conner invests in his daily yoga studies, hones his cooking skills, and sings in a barbershop chorus, The Saltaires, and quartet, Ante Up. He hopes to further his education in the realm of clinical psychology studying the therapeutic potential of yoga practice and ethics.

Clara Lopes, Research Associate

Clara is a Research Associate with a BA in Medical Anthropology/Bioethics from SFSU (2012), and a BS in Communication Sciences and Disorders from ISU (2014). Clara also holds a certificate in Assistive Technology & Alternative Adaptive Communication, and has spent the past 6 years working with neurologically diverse populations. She is currently involved with projects for CDST / Distracted Driving research, and is especially interested in physiological measures (specifically respiration/heart rate via ECG, and EEG). Clara tries to spend as much time as she can outside (especially climbing rocks), and hopes to continue her graduate work in cognitive neuroscience. Her research interests span how language and movement intersect, specifically how words related to action are informed by motor plans for movement.

Doug Getty, Research Associate

Doug is a Research Associate with a B.S in Psychology from Westminster College in Salt Lake City. In the Applied Cognition Lab, Doug has worked on projects evaluating driver workload associated with using these vehicle infotainment systems as well as usability testing of these systems. Previously, he worked as the Lab Manager in the Interdisciplinary Neuroscience Lab at Westminster College where he studied individual differences in memory. In his free time, Doug enjoys playing the banjo, home roasting coffee, and climbing and backpacking in the beautiful state of Utah.

Rachel Goethe, Research Associate

Rachel is a Research Associate, who’s been a part of the research since Phase 1. Currently she is the Lab Project Manager, focusing on all aspects of the lab; from data collection, staff organization, and usability evaluation of each vehicle. Rachel graduated from the University of Utah with her B.S. in Psychology and an accompanying Human Factors Certificate in the Fall of 2014. Prior to her current position in the lab, she worked at the Waterford Research Institute analyzing the efficacy of early education software programs. In her free time, Rachel enjoys trail running and hiking with her dogs in the beautiful Utah landscape, rock climbing, and reading.

Kelly Mackenzie, Research Assistant

Kelly is a Research Assistant who graduated from Westminster College in Salt Lake City with a B.S. in Neuroscience. Currently, her involvement with the Center for Distracted Driving Research is dedicated to running participants and collecting data for the On-Road driving studies. Before joining the lab, Kelly worked as a Research Assistant at the Interdisciplinary Neuroscience Lab at Westminster College, where she conducted research on visual and auditory cross-modal attention using electroencephalography (EEG). In her spare time, Kelly enjoys cooking, playing the guitar and singing, and skiing Utah’s beautiful Wasatch Range.

Andrea Campos, Research Assistant

Andrea graduated from Westminster College with a B.S. in Neuroscience. Currently, she is a Research Associate for the Center for Driving Safety Research and is involved in evaluating the infotainment systems of varying model year vehicles to assess distracted driving she aids in data analysis as well as on road data collection. Previously she was a part of the Interdisciplinary Neuroscience Lab aiding in EEG studies, as well as ß-galactosidase protein purification protocols from E.coli in the biological chemistry lab, both at Westminster College. Outside of the lab, Andrea enjoys swimming, painting and camping.

Maddie McCarty, Research Associate

Maddie is a Research Associate who started her time in the lab as a volunteer during her freshman year at the University of Utah. Currently, she supervises on-road studies exploring the effects of semi-autonomous vehicles on driver attention. She previously collaborated with other researchers in the lab to evaluate the infotainment systems in vehicles and wrote reports on the potential distraction levels these systems may generate in drivers. Maddie graduated from the University of Utah in 2016 with a B.S. in Psychology and a Human Factors Certificate. Prior to her current position, Maddie worked as a research assistant in a Human Factors lab at the university researching distracted driving in autonomous vehicles. In her free time, Maddie enjoys going for a morning run, cooking, and curling up with a good book and coffee.

Sydney Loveless, Research Associate

Sydney is a Research Associate who graduated from SLCC with her A.S. in General Studies with an emphasis in Psychology. She is currently involved in both studies in the Applied Cognition Lab. Sydney is a Research Coordinator for the study on mind wandering in partially autonomous vehicles. She also participates in the preparation and collection of data for the Center for Distracted Driving Research. Outside the lab, Sydney enjoys boating at Bear Lake, eating good ice cream, cuddling with her husband, and traveling the globe.