Human Factors/Applied Cognition Concentration

Jackie Molan, 2024

How did you choose your specific area of study?

I studied neuroscience in undergrad and had no awareness of the field of human factors until one of my professors recommended it to me based on my interests. At that time, I had already been working as a research assistant in a visual attention lab, which was coincidentally run by my university’s human factors expert. So I was already doing human factors research without even realizing it, and as soon as I learned more about the field, I knew it was what I wanted to pursue in graduate school.

Are there faculty or staff members who made a difference during your Mason career?

I would not have gained the invaluable research experience that I did during my time at Mason without the help and mentorship of Dr. Greg Trafton and Dr. Eileen Roesler. The faculty here are extremely supportive of student-led projects and helping students achieve their research goals.

What advice would you give to an incoming cohort of graduate students?

Try not to compare your experience to anyone else’s and remember that everyone’s path through graduate school looks different! It’s okay to feel like you don’t have everything figured out all the time, but if you maintain a focus on exploring your own interests at the pace that’s right for you, the right opportunities will arise.

What are your current career plans following graduation? What are your long-term career goals?

I am currently pursuing career opportunities primarily in the domain of human factors in healthcare, as well as UX, safety analysis, and AI governance. Long-term, I hope to combine my interest in the healthcare setting with my research experience in human-robot interaction to pursue a career in surgical robotics research.