March 5, 2012
Three UI Engineering researchers will make presentations at the March 5-8 Celebrate! Innovation™ Exhibition (iWEEk) at the Des Moines Area Community College West Campus in West Des Moines, IA (http://www.dmacc.edu/ci/iweek.asp).
Presenting are Tim Marler, Herm Reininga, and Tom Schnell.
Marler is associate research scientist, adjunct professor with the Departments of Biomedical and Mechanical Engineering, and senior research scientist at the Virtual Soldier Research Program in the Center for Computer-Aided Design. He is the project manager for a portfolio of projects, program manager for large R&D efforts, and helps run a lab of 30 people. He is co-founder and chief research officer for Santos Human Inc. His research focuses on human modeling, decision-making, optimization, and evaluation of body-born equipment. His experience ranges from software design to manufacturing, at Ford, Amana, Pacific Northwest National Lab and HON.
Reininga is the interim director of the National Advanced Driving Simulator. He also is chief engineer and Leadership Council member of Next Generation Manufacturing Technology Initiative (NGMTI).
Schnell is associate professor of mechanical and industrial engineering and director of the Operator Performance Laboratory (OPL), a unit of the Center for Computer-Aided Design, which conducts neurocognitive human factors research in a number of areas of surface and air transportation. iWeek immerses students and the general public in a variety of interactive projects to promote creative and innovative thought. The intent of iWeek is to engage students (and the public) in a focused context outside of their normal studies to help them see both the value and process of innovation.