In this section: experimental labs, event coordination & management, public speaking
With expertise managing people and projects, I love to be in the center of the action, where innovation meets the road.
experimental Labs
During four years as research lab manager at The University of Iowa, I lead cutting-edge safety research using virtual reality, immersive cave technologies, touch screens, HMDs, motion tracking and other testing innovations to study roadway safety in children and adults.
Managing numerous projects required well-trained experimenters, recruitment optimization, smooth data collection and storage processes, operating and calibrated instruments. When possible adoption of 3rd party tools helped improve work efficiency. See below a set of featured projects from managing teams of safety researchers.
Adult participant in treadmill distance estimation study using cave-like VR immersion and treadmill apparatus. Image is property of The University of Iowa.
“Megan’s ability to lead, organize, and coordinate is second to none. Not only was she able to successfully manage a research lab combining the fields of psychology and computer science, but she also played a key role in advancing the technological efficiencies and innovations to facilitate the lab’s research goals overall.”
Event Coordination
Testing methodology innovation
The idea started as I digitized years of slowly collected behavioral research using an large, clunky physical apparatus crafted to test memory for location and spatial thinking. Could a duplication of the study using a programmed touch screen, reproduce similar results? The efficacy of using touch screens in child developmental research was rare at the time, and would later open the pathway for numerous experimental methodologies in safety research, memory for location, child/parent communication and spatial thinking studies.
(Left) Old apparatus, circa 2000 (Right) New apparatus I programmed using touch screen capabilities in MATlab, circa 2009. Images are the property of The University of Iowa.
What I achieved
- Created new online website presence for labs (2009).
- Developed new computer-based testing methods on interactive touch monitors with programming in (MATLAB + PsychToolbox).
- Developed data extraction tools in Python to monitor accuracy of our instruments and software to ensure compatibility and identify problems in the code. Included checking accuracy, randomness and timing of vehicle gap size across multiple lanes of traffic.
- Optimized recruitment efforts for Psychology Department with Sherlock App.
- Enhanced data collection and optimized virtual storage.
- Created 2D and 3D digital assets for virtual environments.
- Presented research findings at international conferences (Society for Research in Child Development).
- Wrote study directions, protocols, consent forms, analysis, and provided staff training.
- Trained and supervised 16 undergraduate research assistants.
Awards
- Mary Jo Small Staff Fellowship, The University of Iowa, 2012
- IOWA Centers for Enterprise Elevator Pitch Winner, The University of Iowa, 2011 for Mathews Olive Oil Co.
- Mary Louise Kelly Professional Development Award, The University of Iowa, 2010