Health and Human Systems Engineering

Health and human systems engineering examines human capabilities, limitations, and
performance in complex sociotechnical systems, from hospitals and clinics to
spaceflight, transportation, manufacturing, and emergency response.

Faculty combine biomechanics, cognitive engineering, human-centered design,
computational modeling, and data-driven analytics to understand and improve how
people and technology work together.

This work delivers safer human–technology interaction, lower injury risk, better
operational decision-making, and measurable performance gains across healthcare and
other high-reliability settings.

Physical Ergonomics and Occupational Biomechanics

Evaluates human physical capabilities, environmental stressors, and physical
workloads to reduce musculoskeletal injury risk, assess gait and fatigue, and
advance fall prevention for aging populations.

Work Design, Measurement, and Safety

Applies work domain and task analysis, time-and-motion study, and
sociotechnical macroergonomics to assess hazards, strengthen occupational and
process safety, and structure high-performing teams.

Cognitive Ergonomics and Neuroergonomics

Studies cognitive workload, stress, attention and interruption management, and
neural and physiological markers of operator state to inform interface design,
usability testing, performance modeling, and adaptive training.

Human–AI Teaming and Autonomous Systems

Investigates human–automation interaction, robotic collaboration, and adaptive
autonomy to establish trust, transparency, and explainability in decision support
and joint human–AI operation.

Health Systems Engineering and Care Delivery

Models, simulates, and optimizes care delivery, access, and clinical workflow —
spanning patient safety, telehealth and remote monitoring, and preventive and
population health.

Human Systems Integration for High-Consequence Operations