Author: Rukudzo Muripira

It has been such an honor and privilege to be part of the Department of Psychology and Human Factors at MTU as a graduate student since the Fall of 2020. I have always had an interest in psychology and research, but when I started with one class at a time while working full-time, I did not have a clear direction. I have been fortunate to work with outstanding professors and inspiring fellow students. Kelly Steelman, as Department Chair, first presented me with the question that had been studied at Michigan Tech for the last 30 years, first started with research by Sheryl Sorby: Why do engineering students with improved spatial skills through a remedial course end up doing better in their other STEM courses and have a higher retention rate than students who did not take the course? It intrigued me.

Research for my Master’s degree in Applied Cognitive Science and Human Factors, which I earned in Spring 2024, began with the relationship between spatial skills and Engineering Self-efficacy, with assistance from my co-advisor, Michelle Jarvie-Eggart. While there were increases in scores pre- to post-semester for the remedial group, there was no significant difference between the two groups.

My dissertation research has focused on assessing spatial visualization skills, the ability to mentally rotate 3D shapes. These skills are assessed using receptive measures of ability, such as the demonstration of understanding on a multiple-choice test, such as the Purdue Spatial Visualization Test with Rotations (PSVT: R) or the Mental Rotations Test (MRT). I have developed, with one of my advisors, Shane Mueller, an assessment of productive spatial visualization skills, or the ability to produce a physical demonstration of spatial knowledge. The evaluation is digital and scorable, and it is now available online. Research to date has indicated a strong correlation between scores on the productive assessment and a traditional receptive measure, indicating the reliability of the productive measure. Current research is examining the validity of the measure for first-year engineering students.

I would like to express my gratitude to the Graduate Dean Awards Advisory Panel for granting me this award. I also want to thank my advisors, along with the faculty, staff, and students of the PHF Department, for their inspiration and continued support.

The first time I attended a Sensation and Perception class as an undergraduate elective, I realized how much I enjoyed cognitive science. I was curious about how our minds work and why we make certain decisions. When I looked for programs to study this further, I found myself traveling from my home in Dubai all the way to Houghton. It was a long trip, but one of the best decisions I have made.

My research focuses on how we can reduce risk by using planning methods that help people think ahead. These methods can improve how we design human-AI systems. I am especially interested in making technology more human centered and safer to use. Right now, I am studying how drivers make decisions in high-risk situations, like railroad crossings. I hope this work helps improve safety and guides designers to create smarter and more helpful AI systems.

I want to sincerely thank the Graduate Dean Awards Advisory Panel for selecting me for this fellowship. I am also very grateful to my advisor, Dr. Elizabeth Veinott, for her constant support during my PhD. Her guidance and encouragement have helped me grow as a researcher and prepare for my future career.