James Pedroff

Background

About James Pedroff

I am a MS candidate in the Human Factors and Ergonomics program at San Jose State University preparing for a role in the field of User Experience Design. I intend to leverage my experience working in the High Level Perception Lab at UC Santa Cruz where I ran participants, helped analyze and code eye tracking data, and was a part of a group to present new research at the Vision Sciences Society in 2024. During my graduate studies, I plan to develop a knowledge base in human factors research, specifically in usability testing and auditory/visual design. This intent aligns with my goal to pursue a career as a user experience researcher, human factors researcher, and eventually to apply both theoretical and practical methodologies in the design and implementation of digital information systems and consumer-facing devices.Accelerating reliance on digital information systems in everyday life brings increased research interest in how humans interact with technology systems. Questions remain about how research might improve the ease of use across these interactions, and about how to ensure that design considerations include accessibility across the widest spectrum of users. As society becomes more fully dependent on technology systems, the study of how we interact with these systems will grow. I want to explore Human Factors and User Experience Design more thoroughly than what is available to me as an undergraduate at the University of California, Santa Cruz. My achievements in courses including Eye Tracking, Qualitative Research Methods, and Programming for the Cognitive Sciences make me a strong candidate to contribute to both Dr. Miles’ lab and the CUDA lab. I plan to use my Master’s degree to positively contribute to the field of HCI/ Human Factors through both research and application.