Shi Cao

Shi Cao (pronounced like SHER TSAO) studies human factors engineering. His research projects include human performance and situation awareness modelling, new technologies in aviation training, and the applications of virtual and augmented reality. He has developed cognitive models and human performance simulation systems that can be used to model and predict human performance and other human factors constructs in various work domains such as transportation and human-computer interaction. These modelling methods and engineering tools have been adopted by researchers from universities and research institutes worldwide. He is the Committee Chair of the Collaborative Aeronautics Program, Waterloo Institute for Sustainable Aeronautics.

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• Human factors and cognitive ergonomics
• Modelling human performance and situation awareness
• Training technologies
• Human-computer interaction
• Interface evaluation and design
• Virtual and augmented reality applications

• 2013, Doctorate Industrial and Operations Engineering, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, US
• 2007, Master's Psychology (Human factors focus), Zhejiang University, China
• 2005, Bachelor of Science (BSc) Psychology (Science class), Chu Kochen Honors College, Zhejiang University, China

• 2023 Distinguished Performance Award, Faculty of Engineering, University of Waterloo
• 2022 Igor Ivkovic Teaching Excellence Award, Engineering Society, University of Waterloo

• Program Committee Chair, Collaborative Aeronautics Program, University of Waterloo

• Associate Editor, IEEE Transactions on Human-Machine Systems
• Editorial Board Member, Virtual Reality

• SYDE 182 - Physics 2: Dynamics
  • Taught in 2019
• SYDE 223 - Data Structures and Algorithms
  • Taught in 2020, 2021, 2022, 2024
• SYDE 543 - Cognitive Ergonomics
  • Taught in 2019, 2021, 2022, 2023, 2024
• SYDE 640 - Experimental Design
  • Taught in 2024
• SYDE 644 - Human Factors Testing
  • Taught in 2019, 2020, 2021, 2022
• SYDE 740 - Selected Topics in Human Systems
  • Taught in 2022, 2023, 2024

* Only courses taught in the past 5 years are displayed.

• Rehman, U., Cao, S., & MacGregor, C. G. (2024). Modelling level 1 situation awareness in driving: A cognitive architecture approach. Transportation Research Part C: Emerging Technologies, 165, 104737.
• Bai J., Sun X., Cao S., Wang Q., and Wu J., Exploring the Timing of Disengagement From Nondriving Related Tasks in Scheduled Takeovers With Pre-Alerts: An Analysis of Takeo, Human Factors, 2024.
• Misra A., Samuel S., Cao S., and Shariatmadari K., Detection of Driver Cognitive Distraction Using Machine Learning Methods, IEEE Access, Volume 11, 18000-18012, Canada, 2023.
• Ayala N., Mardanbegi D., Duchowski A., Niechwiej-Szwedo E., Cao S., Kearns S., and Irving E., On the Visibility of Fiducial Markers for Mobile Eye Tracking, Eye Tracking Research and Applications Symposium (ETRA), Canada, 2023.
• Ayala N., Zafar A., Kearns S., Irving E., Cao S., and Niechwiej-Szwedo E., The effects of task difficulty on gaze behaviour during landing with visual flight rules in low-time pilots, Journal of Eye Movement Research, Volume 16, Canada, 2023.
• Munoz J.E., Ali F., Basharat A., Mehrabi S., Barnett-Cowan M., Cao S., Middleton L.E., and Boger J., Development of Classifiers to Determine Factors Associated With Older Adult's Cognitive Functions and Game User Exper, IEEE Transactions on Games, Canada, 2023.
• Basharat A., Mehrabi S., Munoz J.E., Middleton L.E., Cao S., Boger J., and Barnett-Cowan M., Virtual reality as a tool to explore multisensory processing before and after engagement in physical activity, Frontiers in Aging Neuroscience, Volume 15, Canada, 2023.
• Wang K., Nath P., Kaur J., Cao S., and Morita P.P., Cloud Native Remote Monitoring Data Ecosystem for Aging Population based on Commercial AAL Sensors, Proceedings of the Annual International Conference of the IEEE Engineering in Medicine and Biology Society, EMBS, Canada, 2023.
• Wang K., Cao S., Kaur J., Ghafurian M., Butt Z.A., and Morita P., Heart rate prediction with contactless active assisted living technology: a smart home approach for older adults, Frontiers in Artificial Intelligence, Volume 6, Canada, 2023.
• Ding W., Murzello Y., Cao S., and Samuel S., Where to gaze during take-over: Eye gaze strategy analysis of different situation awareness and hazard perception levels, Proceedings of the Human Factors and Ergonomics Society, Volume 67, 2042-2047, Canada, 2023.

• Prof’s research uses AI to get more pilots in the sky
• Better coaching needed to prevent burnout among video gaming pros