ASSEF Safety Research Fellowships

The Research Institute and the American Society of Safety Engineers Foundation (ASSEF) sponsor an annual Safety Research Fellowship. The fellowship encourages safety research activity and provides a forum for linking safety professionals, industry needs, and quality research programs.

Selected fellows work with Institute researchers at the Hopkinton facility for up to 12 weeks. ASSEF provides a stipend, while the Institute provides reasonable access to current research, databases, equipment, researchers and other necessary resources. Research must result in publication.

Applicants must be United States citizens, or permanent residents, and possess a Ph.D. degree, or be working towards a masters or Ph.D. For more information and to obtain an application, visit the Research Programs section on the ASSEF website.

Learn more about our recent safety research fellows:

Megan E. France, B.S.

Ms. France collaborated with Institute researchers on a study to better understand how sociotechnical system factors impact workplace safety. Specifically, their investigation examined the influence of social, organizational and technical factors on workers in a rail operation setting. The investigation is part of a larger project involving organizations across different industries, including case studies in rail operations, heavy equipment manufacturing and metals manufacturing. The findings from this project may ultimately help to design safer systems and improve worker safety.

During her tenure, Ms. France applied techniques based on a new model of accident causation developed at MIT -- Systems Theoretic Accident Model and Processes (STAMP), which address multiple influences and interactions throughout a system that can contribute to accidents. Once the data analysis is completed, Ms. France will continue to work with Institute researchers to publish the findings. Beyond her fellowship, she will continue to collaborate with the Institute on future case studies for this project.

Ms. France has research interests in studying the role of human factors in complex sociotechnical systems, specifically in the area of transportation systems and particularly in rail systems. She is also has interests in the role of safety culture and organizational factors in worker safety.

At MIT, Ms. France is working towards a master’s degree in the Department of Aeronautics and Astronautics. Currently, she serves as president of MIT’s Graduate Women in Aeronautics and Astronautics Association. In 2015, she graduated summa cum laude from Tufts University with a B.S. human factors engineering and won the Tufts University Human Factors Engineering Prize.

Ashleigh Tran, B.A.

Ms. Tran worked with Institute researchers on a study entitled, “Differences in calibration of driving skills in distracted driving conditions.” The study examined why people choose to engage in distracted driving and builds upon prior Institute research that compared drivers’ perceived and actual driving performance. For this study, researchers added a component to measure the value of, or need for, engaging in a risky behavior. This component will help researchers to better understand how much drivers’ value text messages and how that measured value relates to their perceived skills and abilities. Researchers have completed the data collection phase. Following data analysis, the researchers will prepare a manuscript for publication.

Ms. Tran has research interests in risky decision-making, specifically as it relates to distracted driving and the resulting negative consequences on driving performance. In 2016, she was selected as a Traffic Safety Scholar at the Lifesavers National Conference on Highway Safety Priorities.

In 2015, Ms. Tran graduated cum laude from Baylor University with a Bachelor’s degree in psychology and sociology. Currently, she is pursuing her doctoral degree in the Cognitive and Brain Sciences program at the University of Kansas. She is a student member of Psi Chi, the Human Factors and Ergonomic Society and the Psychonomic Society.

Brittany Gaines, M.S.

In 2015 Ms. Gaines., a doctoral student at the University of Massachusetts-Boston, worked with Institute researchers as a principal investigator on a study titled“Do local or regional variations in environmental factors help to explain age differences in the length of disability?” The study explored if, and how, factors that vary by geographic location may explain age-related variation in length of disability. Researchers examined short-term and long-term group disability claims and matched them to census tract and county-level factors such as distance to nearest hospital, median household income and unemployment rate. The researchers assessed whether these factors helped explain variation in length of disability (controlling for several individual factors) and the relationship to age. They are now completing analyses and preparing a scientific article. Following her tenure, Ms. Gaines continued to collaborate with the Institute on related investigations.

Ms. Gaines is interested in research on the end of life experience, including the caregiving experience, caregiver health behaviors, end of life treatment decisions, life satisfaction/quality of life, and hospice/palliative care. She is also interested in bereavement and loss; regional health-related disparities; the older adult workforce; and older adult driving safety. Currently, she is working on her Ph.D. at the University of Massachusetts-Boston, where she also received an M.S. in gerontology. Ms. Gaines earned her B.S. in psychology at Georgia College & State University. She is a member of the Geronotological Society of America.

Mahmudur Rahman, M.S.

In 2015 Mr. Rahman, a student at Mississippi State University, worked with Institute researchers on a study of factors that influence user acceptance of advanced driver assistance systems. The study findings will be used to develop a conceptual model of driver acceptance. During his tenure, Mr. Rahman designed and launched a study to assess the predictive ability of the conceptual model using simulator and online survey data. Following his tenure, he continued to collaborate with researchers to finish data collection, perform data analysis and disseminate study findings.

A Ph.D. candidate in industrial systems engineering at Mississippi State, Mr. Rahman earned his Bachelor’s degree in industrial engineering from Bangladesh University of Engineering and Technology and his Masters in industrial engineering from Montana State University. He is a member of the Institute of Industrial Engineers and Human Factors and Ergonomic Society.

Karen Chen, M.S.

In 2014 Ms. Chen, a graduate student at the University of Wisconsin–Madison, worked with Institute researchers on an investigation of older and younger driver performance and biomechanics, specifically neck rotation, in virtual reality. The project examined the effect of age on neck rotation and driver performance measured in a virtual driving environment with dynamic visuals. During her tenure, Ms. Chen conducted the experiment, analyzed data, and helped determine the feasibility of using a mass-produced, relatively inexpensive virtual reality tool for future studies.

Ms. Chen’s area of specialization is in human factors and ergonomics, and she is interested in improving home health care from an ergonomics perspective for the aging and the disabled population. Currently, she works with the University’s Living Environments Laboratory and Occupational Ergonomics and Biomechanics Laboratory, researching rehabilitation using virtual reality technology. Ms. Chen earned both her B.S. and M.S. in biomedical engineering from the University of Wisconsin–Madison. She is an active member and part of the executive council of the Human Factors and Ergonomics Society, UW-Madison Chapter, and a member of the Human Factors and Ergonomics Society.

Lava R. Timsina, M.P.H.

In 2014 Mr. Timsina, a graduate research assistant at the University of Kentucky, collaborated with Research Institute scientists to examine the circumstances of falls among middle age and older adults by gender. The project examined the circumstances of medically attended fall-related injuries among U.S. adults and its findings will inform future fall prevention interventions. During his tenure, Mr. Timsina coded the fall injury narratives from the National Health Interview Survey data (1997-2010) using a customized taxonomy. He also analyzed the data and drafted a manuscript.

Mr. Timsina is pursuing his Ph.D. in epidemiology and biostatistics at the University of Kentucky, where he also helps with statistical consultations and data analysis at the National Coordinating Center for Public Health Services and Systems Research. Previously, he attended the University of Nebraska Medical Center, where he earned a Master's Degree in Public Health with a concentration in epidemiology. He has co-authored articles published in the American Journal of Preventive Medicine, the Journal of Community Health, Public Health, the Journal of Public Health (Oxford, England), and Tobacco Control.

Lora A. Cavuoto, Ph.D.

In 2013 Dr. Cavuoto, an assistant professor at the University of Buffalo, SUNY, collaborated with Institute research scientists on a study that used near-infrared spectroscopy to quantify obesity-related differences in the brain and to examine how the body responds during a strenuous lifting task. The project aimed to enhance the understanding of how obesity impacts a worker’s physiological ability and to encourage design improvements for ergonomic interventions and workplace wellness programs. During her tenure, she assisted researchers in conducting pilot testing, establishing a final research protocol and beginning data collection.

At the University of Buffalo, Dr. Cavuoto works in the department of Industrial and Systems Engineering and directs the Ergonomics and Biomechanics Laboratory. Her research interests include industrial ergonomics, biomechanics, occupational safety and health, and designing workplace accommodations for the obese and older populations. She received a Ph.D. in industrial and systems engineering from Virginia Tech. She earned an M.S. in occupational ergonomics and safety and aB.S. in biomedical engineering from the University of Miami. Dr. Cavuoto is an active member of the Human Factors and Ergonomics Society, the Institute of Industrial Engineers, and the Obesity Society.

Denny Yu, M.S.E.

In 2013 Mr. Yu, a doctoral candidate at the University of Michigan, worked with Institute researchers on a biomechanics investigation of one-handed pulling with the goals of identifying the biomechanical limitations of one-handed maximum pull strength at different handle heights and understanding the effects of anthropometry (body size, weight, and proportions), posture, and balance. The models created from this research are meant to assist ergonomics professionals with task design and job assessment in an effort to prevent worker fatigue and injuries. During his tenure, Mr. Yu assisted researchers in creating and testing biomechanical models for 31 subjects and 186 pull postures collected from prior Liberty Mutual research.

Mr. Yu’s research focuses on developing tools to improve surgical procedures. Specifically, his work involves analyzing complex and technical surgical procedures to help determine best practicesby linking techniques with patient outcomes and surgeon performance. His current research involves hierarchical task analysis for describing surgical procedures, standardization of surgical-technique patient outcomes, and evaluation of visual aids for surgeon performance and comfort in microsurgery. Mr. Yu is pursuing his Ph.D. at the University of Michigan, where he has received an M.S.E. in industrial and operations engineering. He also earned a B.S. in bioengineering at the University of California, Berkeley. He is a National Science Foundation Graduate Student Fellow and a member of the Human Factors and Ergonomics Society and the International Society of Biomechanics.

Tzurei Betty Chen, P.T., M.S.

In 2012 Ms. Chen, a doctoral candidate at the University of Oregon (Eugene), focused her fellowship on fall prevention in the elderly population, the subject of her dissertation. The study, “Assessing the feasibility of using laboratory measures of gait imbalance to prospectively predict falls risk in the elderly,” aimed to provide an improved reliable measure to predict falls among the elderly population. Prior to arriving at the Institute, Ms. Chen had collected the investigative data from 60 participants in a one-year longitudinal study at the University of Oregon. While at the Institute, she collaborated with research scientists on the data analysis phase. The researchers provided feedback to improve the study’s quality, and the study provided insight for designing longitudinal research protocols that enhance the fall risk evaluation. Beyond her tenure, Ms. Chen continued to work with the researchers to write the manuscript for peer-reviewed journal submission, and has discussed future collaborations on fall and slip related projects.

Ms. Chen’s research interests include biomechanics, motion analysis, fall prevention, and geriatric populations. In addition to her doctoral studies in biomechanics and human physiology, Ms. Chen also received an M.S. degree from the University of Oregon. In 2004, she earned a B.S., in physical therapy from the National Yang Ming University (Taipei, Taiwan). She served as a graduate teaching fellow and research assistant in the Department of Human Physiology, University of Oregon, and worked as a physical therapist at the Taipei Veterans General Hospital, Taiwan. Ms. Chen is a member of the American Society of Safety Engineers, the American Society of Biomechanics and the American Federation of Teachers.

Andrew S. Merryweather, Ph.D.

In 2012 Dr. Merryweather, an assistant professor at the University of Utah, studied the effects of hospital bed adjustments on stability and slip parameters in a population of fall-prone older adults. The fellowship enabled Dr. Merryweather to improve his study design and analytical methods. During his tenure, he consulted Institute scientists to review all project aspects and to work on a large number of technical details related to his research protocol. Dr. Merryweather refined and improved key project aspects, and Institute scientists gained knowledge from his expertise.

Dr. Merryweather maintains research interests in occupational biomechanics, three dimensional musculoskeletal modeling, injury prevention, rehabilitation ergonomics, design, motion capture, rehabilitation robotics, and human factors and design. He is an assistant professor with the Department of Mechanical Engineering at the University of Utah, where he also earned his Ph.D. and M.S. degrees in mechanical engineering. He earned a B.S. degree in mechanical engineering from Utah State University. Dr. Merryweather has presented his work widely and has published more than 25 journal papers and conference proceedings. He is an editorial board member for WORK: A Journal of Preventative, Assessment and Rehabilitation and a member of the American Society of Safety Engineers, American Society of Biomechanics, and the American Society of Agricultural and Biological Engineers.

Click to learn more about our earlier safety research fellows.