Representatives from Charles River Analytics, a developer of intelligent systems solutions, sponsored the Human Factors and Ergonomics Society New England Chapter (HFES NEC) Annual Student Research Conference. The conference took place on April 18, 2014, at the Microsoft New England Research & Development (NERD) Center in Cambridge, Massachusetts, with the aim of bringing together professionals and students in the human factors, engineering, and psychology.

Chapter president Dr. Sami Durani thanked Charles River for continuing to support the local community of human factors engineers and researchers by sponsoring the conference. Charles River has sponsored this event to help promote the importance of human-centered systems for more than a decade. Dr. Bethany Bracken, a scientist at Charles River, then gave a brief presentation on Charles River and its projects as part of the sponsor introductions.

This year’s keynote speaker was delivered by Chris Reid of Lockheed Martin’s Information Systems & Global Solutions Civil Division and NASA’s Johnson Space Center, on The Ergonomics of Human Space Flight: NASA Vehicles and Spacesuits. Students from universities in New England presented their research and best presentation winners were announced.

Charles River’s Dr. Jonathan Pfautz serves as a Director on the board of HFES NEC, and numerous Charles River personnel have supported the chapter in a variety of roles over the past ten years.

“This conference provides a great opportunity for students and professionals to learn and share the latest research in human factors and ergonomics,” said Dr. Pfautz, “Our sponsorship reflects our ongoing commitment to ensuring that New England remains a hotbed for human factors R&D.”

Dr. Pfautz has also served on the board in recent years as chapter president and vice president.