Work
Please visit www.susandean.net for a more up-to-date career portfolio!
Below is a synopsis of various work experiences that I've had. You may also view my resume and my publications.
Now last updated: 11 April 2006
Cognitive Engineer, CHI Systems Inc., Orlando, FL
I am a Cognitive Engineer for CHI Systems, Inc. in Orlando, Florida. Currently, I develop synthetic agents (also known as AI) that provide instructional feedback and serve as role players in training systems. I also work in other areas of training system development. In particular, I do a lot of functional requirement specification and interface design. Furthermore, I develop and administer Cognitive Task Analyses (CTA) in support of the agent devleopment and functional requirements specification. I also developed and administered a CTA of Fire Support Coordination for the United States Marine Corps (USMC). Other interests I have are in the design process and how interdisciplinary teams successfully create and develop innovative designs.
Projects.
As my luck would have it, I get to write a lot, too. You can view a list of my publications here.
Then
Internships
EID Intern, General Electric Corporate Research Development, Schenectady, NY
Summer 2002
At GE, I was the human factors 'specialist' for the design of an x-ray inspection system for aircraft engine parts, which were produced by GE Aircraft Engines in Cincinnati, Ohio. My main objective was to develop design requirements for the user interface of the inspection system. I researched the current state of the art in display systems and the current practices of GEAE to develop the requirements for the new system. All of my design recommendations were accepted for either the initial prototype or the first generation system (Gen0 and Gen1 systems, respectively).
I had a great time at GE, loved my work, enjoyed the pleasant upstate New York summer weather, and made some great friends!
Research Assistant, United Technologies Research Center, East Hartford, CT
Summer 2001
At United Technologies, I served as a Human Factors design engineer for Otis Elevators (a sister division of UTRC). For the light-weight vehicle (LWV) design, I developed an installation procedure using the simulation tool
Jack to ensure a process geared toward the human. The project involved collaborating with mechanical design engineers at UTRC, Otis, and with a contractor in Norway.
Other Research
Research Assistant, Project LISTEN, CMU Robotics Institute, Pittsburgh, PA
September 2000 - May 2002
With Project LISTEN, I studied tutoring effectiveness of a computer-based reading tutor for primary-school-aged children by comparing groups using the computer tutor to groups in a human-tutor control group. Under the guidance of
Dr. Albert Corbett and Dr. Jack Mostow
Research Assistant for Dr. Kurt Van Lehn, Learning Research and Development Center (LRDC), University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh PA
June 1999 - May 2000
...tba...
Miscellanious
CMU Student Life Community Advisor, Greek Area
August 2001 - May 2002
...tba...
Bartender, Pasquerelli's Restaurant, Pittsburgh, PA
Summer 1999
...tba...
CMU Admissions Office Assistant, Making Student Connections
March 1998 - June 1999
...tba...
Communications Department Assistant, T. Parker Host, Inc. Shipping Agency, Norfolk Virginia
Summer 1997, Winter 1997
...tba...
Non-Work
Pittsburgh Action Against Rape (PAAR)
October 2000 - May 2002
...tba...
