Gabriella Hancock  

Assistant Professor 

Ph.D., University of Central Florida, 2017
    Applied Experimental and Human Factors Psychology

M.S.I E., University of Central Florida, 2014 
    Industrial Engineering 

M.S., University of Florida, 2011
    Applied Physiology and Kinesiology
    Biobehavioral Science concentration 

B.S., University of Central Florida, 2008
    Psychology – Summa Cum Laude

Research:

I have two main areas of research focus: human performance under workload and stress (specializing in cognitive neuroscience methods and measures), and human-technology interaction.  In order to facilitate and improve overall system performance, researchers must first identify the junctures at which human performance deteriorates or fails due to stressful environmental or task demands that exceed our natural physical or cognitive capacities. In these efforts, I concentrate on the study of individual differences (the psychological study of human similarities and differences in cognition, emotion, and behavior) as humans’ susceptibility and tolerances for certain stressors or workloads depend on such individual differences.  To better understand the contribution of these and other factors to human performance, I utilize various psychophysiological assessment techniques and quantitative survey tools.  My second area of research is in human-technology interaction. I am interested in how human-computer interaction is changing given the fundamental role shift of the human from operator to monitor or teammate due to the rising popularity of increasingly autonomous systems (i.e., robotic agents, artificial intelligence, autonomous vehicles, drones, etc.).  I am also interested in individual differences in motivation, particularly with regards to Self-Determination Theory, and how different types of motivation influence users’ decisions to adopt, modify, or abandon the use of particular technological systems.  These lines of research seek to inform the design of human-machine systems in order to maximize the effectiveness, efficiency, and safety of human work.  

Publications:

     List of Publications   
     List of Professional Presentations    

Affiliations and Awards:

Professional Memberships 

     Human Factors and Ergonomics Society
     International Ergonomics Association
     American Psychological Association
     American Psychological Society
     Co-Administrator, Human Factors and Ergonomics Women’s Organization for Mentoring and Networking (HFE WOMAN)

Honorary Societies

     Phi Kappa Phi
     Psi Chi
     Pi Delta Phi
     Delta Epsilon Iota
     Golden Key International Honor Society

Distinctions

     Research Awards     
     Recipient of the University of Central Florida’s Graduate Presentation Fellowship ($800), Fall 2016.
     Recipient of UCF Conference, Registration, and Travel Committee Allocation ($250), Fall 2016.
     Student Member with Honors Award of the Human Factors and Ergonomics Society, Fall 2015.
     Recipient of the University of Central Florida’s Graduate Presentation Fellowship ($800), Summer 2015.
     Recipient of University of Central Florida’s Graduate Student Council Travel Grant ($300), Fall 2011.
     Winner: University of Florida, Graduate Student Council, Interdisciplinary Research Conference Winner,
                  $250 Travel/Research Grant, Spring 2010.

     Teaching Awards     
     UCF College of Sciences’ Honorable Mention for Excellence in Graduate Student Teaching, January 2017.
     LEAD Scholars Academy’s Inspire Program’s Outstanding Student Leader for Women’s History Month, March 2016.
     Winner: American Psychological Association of Graduate Students 2015 Teaching Excellence in
                   Psychological Science Award ($500), Spring 2015.
     Winner: Embry-Riddle’s Human Factors and Applied Psychology Student Conference Excellence in
                  Graduate Presentation Prize ($75), Spring 2014.
     Certificate of Appreciation from the U.S. Army for IED Training, Schofield Barracks, HI; Spring 2012.
     Certificate of Appreciation from the U.S. Army for IED Training, Ft. Stewart, GA; Fall 2011.
     Nominated as the Department of Applied Physiology and Kinesiology Candidate for the All-University of Florida’s
                  Graduate School Graduate Student Teaching Award, Spring 2010.

     Scholarly Awards   
     As UCF Student Chapter President:
          Outstanding Student Chapter Award (Gold Level) of the Human Factors and Ergonomics Society, Fall 2015.
     The College Board’s AP Scholar with Distinction Award
     National Honor Society (10th, 11th, 12th grade)
     National French Honor Society (10th, 11th, 12th grade)
     National Society of Collegiate Scholars (2006 – present)
     Golden Key International Honor Society (2007 – present)
     Psi Chi Honor Society (2008 – present)
     Pi Delta Phi Honor Society (2008 – present)
     Phi Kappa Phi International Honor Society (2008 – present)
     Delta Epsilon Iota Honor Society (2012 – present)
     UCF Student Government Association’s Certificate of Appreciation (2006, 2007)

Other Interests:

     Books
     Movies
     Trivia
     Surfing