Dr. Rose Figueroa is a Board-Certified Human Factors Professional. She holds a Ph.D. in Industrial and Operations Engineering and has expertise in cognitive, perceptual, and physical human factors relating to accidents, injuries, and usability.

Dr. Figueroa has experience in a wide range of human factors/ergonomics topics, including product safety and warnings, risk communication, operator training and behavior, visibility and conspicuity, decision-making, kinematics/human movement, accessibility and reasonable accommodation, and human factors in accident investigation.  Dr. Figueroa has analyzed and explained if a person’s capabilities, limitations, and actions may or may not have contributed to accidents in domains such as transportation, micromobility, maritime and recreational boating, industrial, occupational, and construction; sports; amusement rides and devices; professional/consumer products; premises; playgrounds; and railroads.

Dr. Figueroa also has in-depth expertise in physical ergonomics, strength capabilities, human kinematics (movement), and biomechanics. As a doctoral researcher at the University of Michigan’s Center for Ergonomics and Human Motion Simulation Lab, she developed a parametric hand 3D model. She collaborated in developing new features for the 3D Static Strength Prediction (3D SSPP) Model, used by many practitioners and researchers to study and design physical activities and equipment, and she acquired extensive experience with relevant technology, such as wearables, motion capture (MoCap), pressure maps, and force gauges.

Dr. Figueroa serves on the Board of Directors for the Board of Certification in Professional Ergonomics (BCPE), a non-profit organization recognized internationally as the Human Factors/Ergonomics/User Experience certification, and in the Executive Council Human Factor and Ergonomics Society (HFES) as the Secretary/Treasurer Elect. She also co-founded the American Society of Biomechanics (ASB) Diversity Task Force (now a Committee). Dr. Figueroa has presented her work at human factors, biomechanics, and safety conferences throughout the U.S. She is often invited as a guest speaker to deliver keynote, as well as technical talks and CLEs tailored to a wide range of audiences, such as experts in the field, college students, attorneys, adjusters, and paralegals.

Languages: Spanish (native), English (fluent), Brazilian Portuguese (basic).

• Industrial and Operations Engineering, Ph.D.: University of Michigan (2017)
· Human Factors/Ergonomics & Hand Biomechanics

• Industrial and Operations Engineering, M.S.E.: University of Michigan (2013)
· Occupational Safety Engineering & Ergonomics

• Industrial Engineering, B.S.: University of Puerto Rico – Mayagüez (2011)

• Board Certified Human Factors Professional (CHFP) #2369: Board of Certification in Professional Ergonomics (BCPE)

• ABYC Standards Certified Advisor: American Boat & Yacht Council

• Certified XL Tribometrist (CXLT)