Dr. Jasmine Dang | Human Factors | Best Researcher Award

Dr. Jasmine Dang, DEVCOM C5ISR RTI, United States

Dr. J. S. Dang is a highly accomplished researcher and engineering psychologist whose expertise lies in human factors, applied cognition, and human–automation interaction. With extensive experience in government, industry, and academia, Dr. Dang has made pioneering contributions to vigilance, sustained attention, mind-wandering, and user evaluation of advanced military systems. Currently serving as an Executive Officer to the Director of the Research and Technology Integration (RTI) Directorate at Fort Belvoir, Virginia, Dr. Dang plays a critical role in advancing defense-related research and promoting cross-sector collaboration. His distinguished record of research, publications, awards, and leadership exemplifies his dedication to advancing the field of human factors psychology and its real-world applications.

Professional Profile

Scopus Profile

Education

Dr. Dang earned his academic foundation at George Mason University, where he completed a B.S. in Psychology with a concentration in human factors and a minor in neuroscience. He continued at the same institution to obtain an M.S. in Human Factors and Applied Cognition, and subsequently earned his Ph.D. in Human Factors and Applied Cognition. His doctoral research centered on vigilance decrement, sustained attention, and mind-wandering, addressing fundamental questions on human performance and attentional control. Recognized early for his academic promise, Dr. Dang was twice awarded the Undergraduate Research Scholars Award for his outstanding contributions to research during his studies.

Experience

Dr. Dang has accumulated over a decade of research experience, beginning as a Graduate Research and Teaching Assistant at George Mason University, where he contributed to projects on automation transparency, driving simulation, and human–automation trust while mentoring students and teaching research methods and statistics. He further strengthened his expertise through prestigious research internships at the United States Air Force Research Laboratory, focusing on human interaction with robotics, and at the Naval Research Laboratory’s Autonomous Systems Research Laboratory, where he applied eye-tracking and vigilance analysis methods. Building on this foundation, he advanced professionally as a Senior Engineering Psychologist at Planned Systems International, serving as Principal Investigator and team lead for large-scale projects involving experimental training, user evaluations, and defense-related studies. His transition to the RTI Directorate marked a pivotal stage in his career, where he has excelled as an Engineering Psychologist in the Modeling and Simulation Division and later as Executive Officer and Technical Aide to the Director. In these roles, he has provided critical technical leadership, represented the Directorate in high-level collaborations, reviewed multi-million-dollar DARPA proposals, and served as Acting Branch Chief, consistently bridging scientific rigor with operational priorities to deliver impactful solutions.

Research Focus

Dr. Dang’s research interests center on human factors in high-stakes environments, with an emphasis on sustained attention, vigilance, cognitive flexibility, and trust in automation. His studies have investigated how auditory cues, feedback, and performance emphasis influence attentional performance. He has also explored how human operators interact with autonomous systems and virtual prototypes, particularly within defense applications. His focus on practical, human-centered solutions ensures that complex technologies remain effective, safe, and aligned with human cognitive capabilities.

Awards and Honors

Dr. Dang’s excellence has been consistently recognized through prestigious awards. He co-authored Best Paper at the North Atlantic Treaty Organization conference and Outstanding Paper at the Military Sensing Symposium. Within RTI, he has received multiple On-the-Spot Awards, Time Awards, and was named Employee of the Year. His leadership as Executive Officer has been further acknowledged through a Senior Executive Service note recognizing his exceptional achievements. These accolades underscore his consistent delivery of impactful research and leadership in mission-critical settings.

Publication Top Note

Title: Does being away with the fairies really matter? The importance of thought content for task performance on a Go-No-Go target detection task
Journal: Applied Ergonomics
Summary: This study examines how different types of mind-wandering influence performance on a Go/No-Go task. The findings show that not all off-task thoughts are equally harmful—some impair accuracy and response control, while others have little effect—providing new insights for improving attention in safety-critical environments.

Conclusion

Dr. J. S. Dang exemplifies the qualities of an innovative scholar, technical leader, and dedicated public servant. His extensive education, decade-long research expertise, and leadership within defense-related human factors research have established him as a vital contributor to national security and scientific advancement. His publications bridge laboratory insights with operational impact, while his awards demonstrate consistent recognition of his contributions. With a rare combination of cognitive psychology expertise, applied research experience, and leadership acumen, Dr. Dang is exceptionally deserving of recognition through this award nomination.

Jasmine Dang | Human Factors | Best Researcher Award