Thomas Ferris

Educational Background

Ph.D., Industrial & Operations Engineering (Cognitive Ergonomics), University of Michigan - 2010

Dr. Thomas Ferris' research interests are in human factors and cognitive ergonomics, and can be described as the study of cognition in human-machine engineered systems. His primary focus involves human information processing and design to support attention and interruption management. In particular, he investigates novel interface design techniques, employing alternative display modalities such as the sense of touch. Other research interests include human error, decision making under time pressure and human-automation interaction. He has interest and experience in applying his research to the domains of medicine (anesthesiology), military operations (command and control, UV control and operations), aviation (cockpit automation and air traffic control) and ground transportation.

Distinguished Achievement Award, University of Michigan College of Engineering, 2010
World Haptics ’09 Award for Best Paper in Haptics Science, 2009
HFES Student Member with Honors recognition, 2009
National Science Foundation (NSF) Graduate Research Fellowship, 2005 - 2008
HFES Alphonse Chapanis Best Student Paper Award, 2007
First place, Oral presentation competition, UM Engineering Grad Symposium, 2007 and 2009
Rackham Graduate School Conference Travel Grant, 2006, 2007 and 2009
Dwight F. Benton Departmental Fellowship (U of Michigan IOE Department), 2004 - 2005
Valedictorian of graduating engineering class, University of Iowa, December 2003
Outstanding Senior Award, University of Iowa College of Engineering, 2003
Presidential Scholar, University of Iowa, 1999 - 2003
President’s List, University of Iowa, 7 semesters, 1999 - 2003
College of Engineering’s Dean’s List, University of Iowa, 8 semesters, 1999 - 2003
Golden Key Scholar, and Golden Key Scholarship Winner, 2001

Ferris, T. and Sarter, N. (2011). Continuously-informing vibrotactile displays in support of attention management and multitasking in Anesthesiology. Human Factors, 53(6), 600-611. Runner up, 2011 Human Factors Prize
Ferris, T. and Sarter, N. (2010). When content matters: The role of processing code in tactile display design. IEEE: Transactions on Haptics, 3(3), 199-210.
Hameed, S., Ferris, T., Jayaraman, S., and Sarter, N. (2009). Using informative peripheral visual and tactile cues to support task and interruption management. Human Factors, 51 (2), 126-135.
Ferris, T. and Sarter, N. (2008). Crossmodal links among vision, audition, and touch in complex environments. Human Factors, 50 (1), 17-26. 135.
Ferris, T. and Shepley, M. (invited contribution, in preparation). Design considerations for a human-centered incubation system. To be submitted to Journal of Perinatology.
Ferris, T. and Sarter, N. (in preparation). Peripheral visual and spatialized vibrotactile cues support attention management in UAV surveillance operations. To be submitted to Human Factors.
Ferris, T., Sarter, N., and Wickens, C. D. (2010). Cockpit automation: Still struggling to catch up…. In E. Salas, T. Allard, and D. Maurino (Eds.) Human Factors in Aviation (2nd edition). Elsevier Science Publishers.