 | Associate Professor
Department of Industrial and Manufacturing Engineering
rdellis@wayne.edu
(313) 577-3296 |
Biographical Sketch
Dr. Ellis recieved his Bachelor's degree in Industrial Engineering from Kettering University (formerly GMI Engineering & Management Institute) in 1990, and his MS and PhD in Industrial Engineering from Penn State. In 1994, Dr. Ellis joined the faculty of the Wayne State University Department of Industrial and Manufacturing Engineering. Dr. Ellis's research and teaching interests lie in human factors and ergonomics. He teaches IE3120 Work Environment, BE3220 Probability and Statistics for Engineers, IE 7255 Engineering Gerontology: Human Factors and Aging, and IE7995 Special Topics: Cognitive Engineering. His current research is focused on computational models of human performance, particularly visual perception and attention and human-robot interaction.
Dr. Ellis is currently the Chair of the Undergraduate Program Committee and serves as the undergraduate advisor, and faculty advisor to the WSU student chapter of the Institute of Industrial Engineers.
Journal Publications
Ellis, R. D., & Chandra, M. J., 1996. A two-stage stochastic model of limitations in human visual information processing. IEEE Transactions on Systems, Man and Cybernetics, 26(2), 248-253.
Ellis, R. D., Goldberg, J. H., & Detweiler, M. C., 1996. Predicting age-related differences in visual information processing using a two-stage queuing model. Journal of Gerontology: Psychological Sciences, 51B(3), P155-165.
Ellis, R. D., Jankowski, T. J., Jasper, J. E. & Abdul, A., 1996. Gero-informatics and the Internet: Locating gerontology information on the World Wide Web (WWW). The Gerontologist, 36(1), 100-105.
Ellis, R. D., Jankowski, T. B., Jasper, J. E., & Tharuvai, B. S., 1998. Listener: a tool for client-side investigation of hypermedia navigation behavior. Behavior Research Methods, Instruments & Computers, 30(6), 573 – 582.
Ellis, R. D., Jankowski, T. B., & Jasper, J.E., 1998. Participatory design of an Internet-based information system for aging services professionals. The Gerontologist, 38(6), 743-748.
Ellis, R. D., Pines, E., & Allaire, J., 1999. Performance Implications of Older Workers in Technological Manufacturing Environments: A Task-Analysis / Human Reliability Perspective.. International Journal of Computer Integrated Manufacturing, 12(2), 104-112.
Hess, S., Detweiler, M.C., & Ellis, R.D., 1999. The utility of display space in keeping-track of rapidly changing information. Human Factors, 41(2), 257-281.
Ellis, R. D. & Allaire, J., 1999. Modeling computer interest in older adults: The role of age, education, computer knowledge, and computer anxiety. Human Factors, 41(3), 345-355.
Ellis, R. D., Meitzler, T., Witus, G., Sohn, E., Bryk, D., Goetz, R. & Gerhart, G., 2000. Computational modeling of age-differences in a visually demanding driving task: Vehicle Detection. IEEE Transactions on Systems, Man and Cybernetics, 30(3), 336-346.
Ellis, R. D. & Kurniawan, S. H., 2000. Increasing the usability of online information for older users: A case study in participatory design. International Journal of Human Computer Interaction, 12(2), 263-276.
Witus, G., Gerhart, G. & Ellis, R. D., 2001. A contrast model for 3D vehicles in natural lighting and search performance analysis. Optical Engineering, 40 (9), pp.1858-1868.
Zaphiris, P., Kurniawan, S.H. & Ellis, R.D., 2001. Usability and Accessibility Comparison of Governmental, Organizational, Educational and Commercial Aging/Health-Related Web Sites. WebNet Journal, 3(3), 45-52.
Khasnabis, S., Alsaidi, E., Liu, S. L., & Ellis, R. D., 2002. Comparative Study of Two Techniques of Transit Performance Assessment: AHP and GAT. Transportation Engineering Journal of the American Society of Civil Engineers, 128(6), 499-508.
Khasnabis, S., Alsaidi, E. & Ellis, R. D., 2002. Optimal Allocation of Resources To Meet Transit Fleet Requirements. Transportation Engineering Journal of the American Society of Civil Engineers, 128(6), 509-518.
Kurniawan, S.H., Ellis, R. D., & Allaire, J., 2002. The Impact of Web Ability, Age, and Web Experience on Bookmark Usage. Universal Access in the Information Society. 1(3), 207-222.
Kurniawan, S. H., Zaphiris, P. and Ellis, R.D., 2002. Older and Younger Adults’ Time Spent and Errors Made in Expandable and Sequential Hierarchies. Gerontechnology, 2(2), 203-205.
Witus, G. and Ellis, R. D., 2003. Computational Modeling of Foveal Target Detection. Human Factors, 45(1), 47-60.
Zaphiris, P., Kurniawan, S. H., and R. D. Ellis, Age Related Differences and the Depth vs. Breadth Tradeoff in Hierarchical Online Information Systems. Universal Access in the Information Society.
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Books and Chapters
Kurniawan, S.H., Zaphiris, P., Ellis, R.D, Age-Related Differences in Subjective Ratings of Hierarchical Information, pp. 857-861. In Universal Access in HCI. Lawrence Erlbaum,, Mehwah, USA, C. Stephanidis
Zaphiris, P., Kurniawan, S.H., Ellis, R.D., 2003. Mathematical Formulation of Age Related Differences in Mouse Movement Tasks. pp. 917-921. In Universal Access in HCI. Lawrence Erlbaum, Mehwah, USA, C. Stephanidis
Zaphiris, P., Kurniawan, S.H., Ellis, R.D., 2003. Age related differences and the Depth vs. Breadth trade-off in hierarchical online information systems. Lecture Notes in Computer Science: Universal Access. In Theoretical Perspectives, Practice, and Experience, 2615, pp. 23-42. Heidelberg, Germany, Springer Verlag
Ellis, R. D. & Kotani, K., 1997. Modeling age-differences in isometric elbow flexion using Hill's three-element visco-elastic model. In Designing for an aging population: 10 Years of human factors/ergonomics research (pp 45-48). Santa Monica: HFES, W. A. Rogers
Detweiler, M. C., Hess, S. M. & Ellis, R. D., 1996. The effects of display layout on keeping-track of visual-spatial information. In Aging and skilled performance: Advances in theory and applications (pp.157-184).. Erlbaum, Hillsdale, NJ, W. A. Rogers, A. D. Fisk & N. Walker
Goldberg, J. H. & Ellis, R. D., 1996. Human factors engineering. In Encyclopedia of Gerontology: Volume 1 (pp. 715-725). Academic Press, New York, J. E. Birren
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Recent Research & Development Experiences
Real-Time Augmented Reality Development and Human Factors Assessment for Space Station Robotic Mockups. April 2004 - October 2006. Agency: NASA-JSC Total: $1,591,915.
Increasing Breast Cancer Screening, Risk Assessment, and Preventive Services Use Among African American Women: Discovering the Feasibility of Web-based Outreach and Service. September 1, 2001 - August 31, 2002. State Cancer Initiative. Total: $105,000.
Queuing Theory Models of Age Differences in Visual Search. May 1, 1998 - April 30, 2003. National Institutes of Health, National Institute on Aging 1 R29 AG14112-01A1 Total: $511,073.
Usability Enhancement of Web-based Health Information: Navigation Aids for Older Adults. August 1, 2000 - July 31, 2001. WSU Targets of Opportunity Program Total: $25000.
Visual perception testing for natural scene interpretations. April 1, 1999 - December 31, 2000. Turing Associates, Inc.Total: $35,906.
Participatory Design of Internet Technology for Improving Older Adults’ Access to Human Services Information. November 1, 1997 - August 31, 1998. Ameritech/National Council on the Aging. Total: $25,000.
A Prototype Virtual Service Center for Seniors. April 1, 1996 - April 31, 1998. Luella Hannan Memorial Foundation Total: $93,100.
The esSIS Senior Information System. January 1, 1998 - December 31, 1999. Luella Hannan Memorial Foundation.Total: $110,000.
Further Development of the Michigan Aging Services System (MASS). February 1, 1995 - December 31, 1999. Michigan Office of Services to the Aging.
A Resource Center for Hannan Foundation. February 8, 1995 - November 30, 1999. Luella Hannan Memorial Foundation. Total: $81,650.
Empowering Seniors Through Information. Dec 1, 1998 - November 30, 1999. Luella Hannan Memorial Foundation. Total: $30,500.
Evaluation of Older Workers on the Three-Crew, Two-Shift System at Flint Truck Assembly. May 1, 1995 - August 31, 1995. General Motors Corporation, NAO and R&D Staffs. Total: $10,000.
Macintosh Hardware to Support IoG GeroInformatics Research.- April 24, 1995. General Motors Corp. Total: 19 Macintosh Computers.
Development of Computer-Based Educational Modules on Engineering Economics. November 1, 1996 - August 31, 1998. National Science Foundation, Greenfield Coalition for New Manufacturing Education. PI: Snehamay Khasnabis. Total: $173,147.
A Diagnostic Tool for Process Change in Product Development Teams. September 1, 1998 - September 1, 1999. Ford Motor Company. (Co-Principal Investigators: Olubenga Mejabi, Donald Falkenburg). Total: $37,500.
Great Lakes Geriatric Interdisciplinary Team Training. 1996 - 1999. John F. Hartford Foundation, Hartford CT. Subcontract to Henry Ford Health System and Case Western Reserve University. Subcontract total: $46,400.
Fluid Reasoning Training for Urban Elders. 1997 - 2001. National Institute on Aging/National Institute for Nursing Research (Principal Investigator: Michael Marsiske). Total: $2,190,930. Dr. Ellis’s responsibilities focus on the Useful Field of View speed- of-processing intervention. Dr. Ellis performs quality control functions regarding field trainers and serves as a backup trainer. 5% effort all years.
Michigan Center for Urban African American Aging Research. July 1, 1997 - June 30, 2002. National Institute on Aging (Principal Investigator: James S. Jackson; Co-Principal Investigator: Peter Lichtenberg). Total: $1.5M. Dr. Ellis supervised the development of an electronic communications infrastructure for the project in year one (5% effort in year one)..
A PTMS-based procedure to assess the performance of transit agencies in Michigan. September, l998 - August, 2000. US- Department of Transportation (through University of Michigan) and the Michigan Department of Transportation(Principal Investigator: Snehamay Khasnabis) Total: $100,000.
US Army, Summer Faculty Research and Engineering Program (. 1997 Total: $10,000.
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Refereed Proceedings Papers
Kurniawan, S.H., Zaphiris, P., Ellis, R. D. (). . .. Involving Seniors in Designing Information Architecture for the Web. Proceedings of HCI International, 2001, appearing in C. Stephanidis (Ed.), Universal Access in HCI (pp. 496-500) : Lawrence Erlbaum. Mahwah, NJ, 2001.
Zaphiris, P. & Ellis, R.D.. Website Usability and Content Accessibility of the top USA Universities. Proceedings of WebNet 2001 Conference. Orlando, FL, October 23-27, 2001.
Witus, G., and Ellis, R.D.. Visual Search and Cued Detection Performance. Proceedings of the 15th International SPIE Symposium on Aerospace/Defense Sensing, Simulation and Controls, Vol. 4370. Orlando, FL, April 2001.
Witus, G., and Ellis, D.. Perception testing for development of computer models of ground vehicle visual discrimination performance. Proceedings of the 14th International SPIE Symposium on Aerospace/Defense Sensing, Simulation and Controls, Vol. 3699. Orlando, FL, April 2000.
Ellis, R.D. , & Witus, G.. A robust data set for visual detection model Calibration and validation. Proceedings of the 10th Annual Ground Target Modeling and Validation Conference (pp. 230-232). : Signature Research. Houghton, MI, 1999.
Hess, S.M., Detweiler, M. C., & Ellis, R. D. Spatial distribution and integrated information display: effects on memory for rapidly changing information. Proceedings of the 43rd Annual Meeting of the Human Factors and Ergonomics Society. pp. 443-446: Human Factors and Ergonomics Society. Santa Monica, CA, 1999.
Witus, G., Ellis, D., Gerhart, G. & Karlsen, R.. Internal Texture or Object Boundary? Disambiguating the Interpretation of Spatial Modulation. Proceedings of SPIE – The International Society for Optical Engineering v3699, pp. 207-216. Orlando, FL, April 5-7, 1999.
Witus, G., Ellis, D., & Gerhart, G.. Perception Metrics for Target Discrimination. Proceedings of the 9th Annual Ground Target Modeling and Validation Conference. pp. 48-53. Houghton, MI, 1998.
Witus, G., & Ellis, D.. Imaging and Display Luminance Calibration and Validation for Laboratory Visual Perception Testing. Proceedings of the 9th Annual Ground Target Modeling and Validation Conference. pp. 28-35. Houghton, MI, 1998.
Meitzler, T. J., Ellis, D., Sohn, E., Bryk, D., Hepfinger, L., Rock, K., & Singh, H.. A perception test of infrared images of soldiers in camouflaged uniforms. SPIE Conference on Targets and Backgrounds : Characterization and Representation IV (SPIE Vol. 3375), pp. 2-16. Orlando, FL, April 13-15, 1998.
Jasper, J. E., Ellis, R. D., Jankowski, T. B., Nagarajan, R. & Wajahath, S.. Using cooperative design to introduce ORDBMS-driven Intranet applications to Collaborating social service agencies. Proceedings of the Human-Computer Interaction International Conference (21A), pp. 97-100. San Francisco, CA, August 1997.
Ellis, R. D. & Goldberg, J. H.. Training older workers in industry. Proceedings of the 39th Annual Meeting of the Human Factors and Ergonomics Society: Human Factors and Ergonomics Society. Santa Monica, CA, 1995.
Hess, S. M., Detweiler, M. C., & Ellis, R.D.. The effects of display layout on monitoring and updating system states. Proceedings of the 38th Annual Meeting of the Human Factors and Ergonomics Society. pp. 1336-1339. Santa Monica, CA, 1994.
Ellis, R. D. & Kotani, K.. Modeling age-differences in isometric elbow flexion using Hill’s three-element visco-elastic model. Proceedings of the 37th Annual Meeting of the Human Factors Society. pp. 202-205: Human Factors Society. Santa Monica, CA, 1993.
Ellis, R. D., & Goldberg, J. H.. Introductory human factors engineering Courses: What is currently being taught?. Proceedings of the 36th Annual Meeting of the Human Factors Society. pp. 556-560: Human Factors Society. Santa Monica, CA, 1992.
Yun, M. H., Kotani, K., & Ellis, R. D.. Using force sensitive resistors to evaluate hand tool grip design. Proceedings of the 36th Annual Meeting of the Human Factors Society. pp.806-810: Human Factors Society. Santa Monica, CA, 1992.
Goldberg, J. H. & Ellis, R. D.. Human factors evaluation of high volume visual Inspection. Proceedings of the 35th Annual Meeting of the Human Factors Society, pp. 776-780: Human Factors Society. Santa Monica, CA, 1991.
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Education
Licensure, 1993. Licensed Engineer-in-Training. Pennsylvania USA.
M.S, 1994. The Pennsylvania State University. University Park, PA USA.
B.S, 1990. GMI Engineering and Management Institute. Flint, MI USA.
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Conference Presentations
Pandya, A,. Siada, M., Auner, G., Kalash, M., Ellis, R. D., (November 15-18, 2003.) Development and Human Factors Analysis of Neuronavigation vs. Augmented Reality. 6th International Conference Medical Image Computing and Computer-Assisted Intervention - MICCAI 2003 Montreal, Canada
Kurniawan, S.H., Zaphiris, P., & Ellis, R.D., (Aug 5-10, 2001.) Involving Seniors in Designing Information Architecture for the Web. The 9th International Conference on Human Computer Interaction New Orleans, LA
Kurniawan, S.H. & Ellis, R.D., (March 31 - April 5, 2001.) Structural Equation Modeling of Internet Bookmark Organization. CHI 2001 Conference on Human Factors in Computing Systems Seattle, WA
Zaphiris, P., & Ellis, R.D., (Nov 16-17, 2000.) Mathematical Modeling of Age Differences in Hierarchical Information Systems. ACM Conference on Universal Usability Arlington, VA
Ellis, R.D., Kurniawan, S.H. & Allaire, J., (Nov 17-21, 2000.) The Impact of Age, Web Self-Efficacy, and Web Experience on Bookmark Usage. The 2000 Annual Scientific Meeting of the Gerontological Society of America Washington, DC
Kurniawan, S. H., Allaire, J.C., & Ellis, R. D., (September 27 – October 1, 1999,.) Defining relationships between web ability, age and web experience across the adult life span.. 43rd Annual Meeting of the Human Factors and Ergonomics Society Houston, Texas
Ellis, R. D. & Cochran, D. L., (1999.) Practices to Encourage Participation of Older Adults in Research and Development. ACM-CHI 99 Conference on Human Factors in Computing Systems, May 15-20, Pittsburgh PA.
Ellis, R. D., (March 25 – March 26, 1999.) Strategies to Reach Underserved Elderly Populations: Reaching out to urban seniors with computer technology. SPRY Foundation/U of GA Conference on Older Adults, Health Information, and the World Wide Web Washington DC
Ellis, R. D., (March 25 – March 26, 1999.) Issues in the Design of Senior-oriented Web-based Information. SPRY Foundation/U of GA Conference on Older Adults, Health Information, and the World Wide Web Washington DC
Ellis, R. D., (March 29 – April 2, 1998.) The Internet as a tool for aging services professionals. 48th Annual Conference of the National Council on the Aging Washington DC
Ellis, R. D., (March 29 – April 2, 1998.) Increasing seniors’ access to online service information through participatory design. 48th Annual Conference of the National Council on the Aging Washington DC
Ellis, R. D., Jasper, J. E., & Mettubavi, S., (November 22, 1998.) Increasing access to WWW-based service information through participatory design. 51st Annual Meeting of the Gerontological Society of America Philadelphia, PA
Ellis, R. D. & Kurniawan, S. H., (November 22, 1998.) A review and annotated bibliography of research on computers and aging. 51st Annual Meeting of the Gerontological Society of America Philadelphia, PA
Ellis, R. D., Jankowski, T. B. & Jasper, J. E., (November 14-18, 1997.) Planning computer learning centers in HUD subsidized senior housing: Attitudes and interest among residents. 50th Annual Meeting of the Gerontological Society of America Cincinnatti, OH
Ellis, R. D., Jankowski, T. B. & Jasper, J. E., (November 17-21, 1996.) Iterative, participatory design of an Internet-based information system for aging services professionals. 49th Annual Meeting of the Gerontological Society of America Washington DC.
Ellis, R. D. & Pines, E., (Sept 3, 1996.) Performance Implications of older workers in technological manufacturing environments: A task-analysis/human reliability perspective. Human Factors and Ergonomics Society 40th Annual Meeting
Jasper, J. E., & Ellis, R. D., (November 14-18, 1997.) Introducing information technology to the aging network: success through cooperative design and topical relevance. 50th Annual Meeting of the Gerontological Society of America Cincinnatti, OH
Jasper, J. E., Ellis, R. D., Jankowski, T. B., & Abdul, A. x, (November 17, 1995.) Seniors, Gerontology and the World Wide Web. Annual Meeting of the Gerontological Society of America Los Angeles
Jasper, J. E., Ellis, R. D., Jankowski, T. B., & Abdul, A., (November 5, 1995.) Hypertext Markup Language and Client/server Technology: Using the World Wide Web for Data Collection. Annual Meeting of the Society for Computers in Psychology Los Angeles
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Invited Presentations
“Gerontology & information technology: The role of engineering.” Presented at the Penn State Gerontology Colloquium, April 9, 1996, University Park PA
“Human factors in environmental design.” Presented at: Educational Conference for Building Managers sponsored by Cooperative Services, Inc., April 21, 1995, Detroit.
“What’s new in technology and aging: Encouraging independence with the use of assistive devices” Presented at: The Aging Family: It Affects Us All. Northern Michigan University Continuing Education Program, Sept. 21, 1995, Marquette, MI.
“Stochastic models of human-machine interaction.” Presented at the Penn State Operations Research Colloquium Series, December 5, 1995, University Park, PA.
"Home safety for older adults.” Presented in the “Ask Your Doctor” series of continuing education seminars for Chrysler/UAW retirees, December 7, 1995, Detroit, MI.
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