Mira Gruber

I am a Human Factors researcher with a PhD in Human Factors and Cognitive Psychology, specializing in applied psychology, statistical analysis, and human-machine interaction. With experience in federally funded research and safety-critical systems, I am passionate about optimizing user performance, decision-making, and training effectiveness in complex environments.

Human Factors Research Intern in the the Simulation and Training Research to Improve Knowledge and Effectiveness (STRIKE) lab at the Naval Air Warfare Center Training Systems Division (May-August 2024)

• Contributed to projects on adaptive training, human performance, and augmented reality in electronic warfare (EW) tasks.
• Designed and developed experiments, conducted literature reviews, and prepared IRB protocols.
• Creating a GUI mockup for an instructor dashboard to monitor student progress in a mixed-reality flight simulator.
• Collaborated with computer scientists to implement adaptive training technologies including:
  • Developing an adaptive feedback algorithm to enhance performance and reduce maladaptive stress coping strategies.
  • Designing augmented reality (AR) attention guidance methods for head-mounted displays.
• Conducted data analysis, contributed to research manuscripts, and presented findings at an international conference.

Graduate Researcher in the Mind in Technology Machines in Thought (MIT2 Lab) at the University of Central Florida (2020-present)

• Doctoral Dissertation: The Impact of Virtual Backgrounds in Video-Mediated Selection and the Role of Candidate Qualifications
  • Investigates how virtual backgrounds in video interviews affect applicant competence perceptions and hireability.
  • Developed IRB protocol, designed studies, and successfully defended dissertation proposal.
  • Led participant recruitment, data collection, and analysis.
• Lead Graduate Researcher: Human-Autonomy Team Relationships (AFRL-Funded)
  • Directed research on transparency’s impact on human-automation trust, communication, and reliance.
  • Managed participant recruitment, oversaw 100-participant data collection, and led a team of 11 research assistants.
  • Authored results for final reports, prepared monthly updates, and presented at an international conference.
• Lead Graduate Researcher: Air Carrier Training & Unexpected Events (FAA-Funded)
  • Investigated pilot responses to unexpected aviation events.
  • Conducted literature reviews, IRB submissions, qualitative and quantitative data analysis, and SME task analyses.
  • Presented research findings and training recommendations to project sponsors and at conferences.

• PhD in Human Factors and Cognitive Psychology from the University of Central Florida (graduating May, 2025)
• MA in Applied Applied Experimental and Human Factors Psychology (2023)
• BA in Psychology, James Madison University (2020)