Curriculum Vitae
hmentis at ist dot psu dot edu
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RESEARCH INTERESTS
My research interests focus on the occurrence of emotion in human-computer interaction and its affect on the user experience. I am currently developing a model of emotion in HCI as well as applying this model to the design of novel interactive technologies to test its boundaries.
EDUCATION
Philosophy of Science in Information Sciences and Technology, expected May 2009
Pennsylvania State University, University Park, Pa

Master of Science in Communication, minor in Cognitive Studies, May 2004
Cornell University, Ithaca, NY 
Occurrence of Frustration in Human-Computer Interaction: The Affect of Interrupting Cognitive Flow
Committee: Geri K. Gay, Ph.D., Communication, Committee Chair
Joseph B. Walther, Ph.D., Communication
Shimon Edelman, Ph.D., Cognitive Science, Minor Advisor

Bachelor of Science in Psychology, Cognitive Psychology focus, May 2000
Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University (Virginia Tech)

EXPERIENCE
Lockheed Martin, Moorestown, NJ Human Factors Engineer, Human-Computer Interfaces Group
July 2003 - Present
Active Secret Security Clearance 
  • Interaction designer for Homeland Security R&D efforts
    • Conducted scenario-based design for initial requirements gathering.
    • Designed interfaces for collaboration and information visualization for decision support.
    • Conducted usability tests and ethnographic studies of Philadelphia Coast Guard.
    • Collaborated on proposal with 3 other Lockheed Martin units.
  • Lead engineer on R&D collaborative case manager
    • Assumed responsibilities in last 3 months and turned around project to be on time, on budget, and all requirements filled.
    • Oversaw 5 member engineer team and budget.
  • Manager for Concept Development Facility (CDF).
    • Coordinated and supported customer and community demonstrations of R&D projects.
    • Oversaw personnel, resource allocation, and $1 million budget.
    • Received award for management (October 2004).

Cornell University HCI Lab, Ithaca, NY Master's Student, Communication
August 2001 - July 2003
  • Pursued independent research on the following:
    • Occurrence of emotion during human-computer interaction.
    • Reliable non-intrusive sensors of negative affect.
  • Collaborated with other researchers on the following:
    • GossipBot – a networked agent that passing along gossip within a social network.
    • AlwaysOn – a 24/7 audio channel between two people.
  • Usability Lab Coordinator
    • Designed and organized a new 3 room usability lab and editing room.
    • Helped train students in using the equipment and conducting usability tests.

Philips Research, Eindhoven, the Netherlands Researcher, Media Interaction Group, Cognitive Engineering Cluster
January 2001-June 2001
  • Investigated the value of cognitive modeling of multi-modal systems for faster prototyping.
  • Designed and analyzed a multi-modal audio entertainment system.
  • Organized, conducted, and reported on usability tests for pre-development labs and research labs of multi-modal entertainment systems for ambient environments.

Virginia Tech HCI Lab, Blacksburg, Va Research Assistant, Dr. H. Rex Hartson
April 2000 - November 2000
  • Designed online toolkit centered on the User Action Framework for usability experts to analyze usability incidents.
  • Organized a team of designers and programmers in the design and development of the toolkit.

Cognetics Corporation, Princeton Junction, NJ Junior Designer
May 1999 - August 1999
  • Designed look-and-feel and functionality of clients’ web sites and software with lo-fidelity wireframe prototypes.
  • Conducted and reported on usability tests for clients.

Virginia Tech HCI Lab, Blacksburg, Va Research Assistant, Dr. Mary Beth Rosson
January - May, September - December 1999 
  • Performed usability analysis and tests of end-user programmable software.
  • Organized usability lab control room setup and support documentation.

Virginia Tech Neurocognitive Lab, Blacksburg, Va Research Assistant, Dr. Helen Crawford
September 1999 - June 2000
  • Prepared subjects with EEG caps for testing.
  • Administered tests on subjects using Neuroscan.
  • Assisted in the analysis of data using SPSS.

TEACHING EXPERIENCE
Introduction to Information Sciences and Technology
Penn State Freshman Course, Fall 2005 & Spring 2006
Discourse for Usability, Cornell Senior Course, Spring 2003
Provided guidance in research projects and assisted in grading papers.
Impact of Information Technology, Cornell Graduate Course, Spring 2003
Guided students in the use of various usability methodologies.
Psychology of Television and Beyond, Cornell Senior Course, Fall 2002
Led discussion sections and provided guidance in research projects.
Computer-Mediated Communication, Cornell Senior Course, Spring 2002
Co-designed and taught sections of course.
Human-Computer Interaction, Cornell Senior Course, Fall 2001
Led discussion sections and provided guidance on group design projects and usability testing.

PUBLICATIONS
Conference Publications

Carroll, J. M., Mentis, H. M., Convertino, G., Rosson, M. B., Ganoe, C. H., Sinha, H., & Zhao, D. (2007).  Prototyping collaborative geospatial emergency planning.  In the Proceedings of the 4th International ISCRAM Conference, Delft, the Netherlands. 

Foucault, B., Mentis, H. M., Sengers, P., & Welles, D. (2007).  Provoking Sociability.  Extended Abstractsof the Conference on Human Factors in Computing Systems, San Jose, Ca.

Lacava, D. & Mentis, H. M. (2005). Beginning design without a user: Application of scenario-based design. Proceedings of the 11th International Conference on Human-Computer Interaction (HCII), Las Vegas, NV.

Devlin, R. C. & Mentis, H. M. (2005). Advanced tracking and correlation algorithms: Applying GOTS algorithms in COTS systems. Proceedings of the Conference on Working Together: R&D Partnerships in Homeland Security, Boston, Ma.

Mentis, H. M. & Gay, G. K. (2003). User recalled occurrences of usability errors:  Implications on the user experience.  Extended Abstracts of the Conference on Human Factors in Computing Systems, Ft. Lauderdale, Fl.

Mentis, H. M. & Gay, G. K. (2002). Using touchPad pressure to detect negative affect.  Proceedings of the IEEE 4th International Conference on Multimodal Interfaces, Pittsburgh, Pa.

Book Chapters

Mentis, H (2007).  Memory of frustrating experiences. In D. Nahl & D. Bilal (Eds.) Information and Emotion.  Medford, NJ: Information Today.

Carroll, J. M. & Mentis, H. M. (2007). The useful interface experience: The role and transformation of usability. In H. N. J. Schifferstein & P. Hekkert (Eds.) Product Experience. 

Workshops

Peters, M., Mentis, H., Haynes, S., Saab, D., & Durrant, A. (2007).  Exploring design as a research activity.  In Extended Abstracts of the Conference on Human Factors in Computing Systems, San Jose, Ca.

Hoffman, B., Mentis, H., Peters, M., Saab, D., Schweitzer, S., & Spielvogel, J. (2006). Exploring design as a research activity.  In Proceedings of the 5th ACM conference on Designing Interactive Systems, University Park, Pa. 

Mentis, H. M. (2005).  Insight into strong emotional experiences through memory. Presented at the CHI 2005 Workshop on Evaluating Affective Interfaces.

Invited Talk

Cornell SIGCHI Distinguished Lectureship Series – HCI in the Workplace, April 2004.

Other

Quesenbery, W. & Mentis, H. (2000).  A profile of technical communicators in usability.  Usability Interface, 6(3) January 2000.
AWARDS/FELLOWSHIPS
National Science Foundation Graduate Research Fellowship, Honorable Mention, 2006
Cornell Cognitive Studies Summer Fellowship, 2003
Who's Who of American College Students, Nominated 2000
SKILLS
Research
Survey design, usability analysis/testing, ethnographic field studies, SPSS, Neuroscan, EEG
Programming
C++, HTML, Javascript, PHP, SQL, Windows & Mac OS
Design
Wireframe prototyping, Visio, Photoshop, Altia
Foreign Languages
Spanish, German
PROFESSIONAL AFFILIATIONS
ACM – Association of Computing Machinery
ACM SIGCHI – Special Interest Group in Computer-Human Interaction
Cognitive Science Society
PSUCHI – Pennsylvania State University SIGCHI
PhiCHI – Philadelphia Area SIGCHI
UPAPA – Philadelphia Area Usability Professionals Association
ACTIVITES
PSU SIGCHI Student Chapter , January 2006 – present
  • Co-founded the chapter in 2006.
  • Iterim Vice Chair of chapter, 2006-present.
  • Organized talks, tutorials, and information sessions.
SIGCHI Council of Chapters, April 2003 – present
  • Member of interim council to prepare bylaws and organizational framework for new SIGCHI Local Chapters’ Council of Chapters.
Philadelphia SIGCHI Chapter (PhiCHI), January 2004 – present
  • Resumed the chapter in 2004.
  • Coordinated seminars with other area HCI-related groups (UPA, STC, AIGA).
Cornell SIGCHI Student Chapter, January 2002 – August 2003
  • Co-founded the chapter in 2002.
  • Chair of chapter, 2002-2003.
  • Organized talks, tutorials, and information sessions.