Research

I am an engineering professional that spent the first 25+ years of my career working in the technology industry, as both an integrated and fundamental creator of new technology. I see the next chapter of my career as an engineering educator. As such, I have focused my research attention on discipline specific area of Engineering Education. Given my tendency towards technology, my research leans towards improving education with the targeted and purposeful use of technology (both in and out of the classroom).

Engineering Education has come a long way since my days as an undergraduate.  Given the fast pace of technology progress, there is plenty of room for finding new and innovating ways to continue the improvement.

Research Experience

My research experience at The University of Iowa began with joining the team working on the “Project Multi-Hazard Sampling Network” funded by and in conjunction with the United States Air Force. My background in embedded computing allowed me to contribute to the development and stabilization of the sampling network.  The endeavor was successful enough to simultaneously spur on the of our start-up company and the award of an SBIR to assist in the development of the sampling network.

As I progressed into my PhD work and began to focus my personal research interests, I started working with Professor Geb Thomas in furthering his research on a “Deliberate Practice Engine”. Before I joined the project, the development efforts brought the research to a place where the practice engine supported two masters theses and was usable in a classroom environment. It lacked stability and a test infrastructure that provided confidence that the tool would run without intervention for the two weeks in-which it would be used. We have since published our initial findings and I presented the work at the 2025 ASEE Annual Conference & Exposition in Montreal. A follow-on study examining the links between confidence wagering, metacognition, and summative performance is currently in press.

My whole-body vibration (WBV) research grew out of a recognized gap in occupational health — low back pain from WBV exposure is common among agricultural workers, and seated posture plays a significant role in outcomes, yet existing assessment methods rely on manual observation or body-worn sensors that are impractical for continuous monitoring in the field. Working with colleagues across engineering and occupational health, I developed a machine learning approach to classify seated posture using only the force sensors and accelerometers built into a seat pad. We arein the process of publishing these findings.

Long-Term Research Goals

My long-term research goal is to improve engineering education through the purposeful application of computing technology, drawing on my background to find approaches that are both novel and practical.

In the long-term I see my research growing beyond the use of gamification techniques in the classroom and starting to dig into new ways of engaging students.  I see gamification as a means to the end of increasing student self-efficacy and engagement.  If everything becomes a game, then we run the risk of the new novel gamification techniques becoming mundane. So what else can we do to address the fundamental self-efficacy and engagement needs of students?