MacroErgonomics Safety and Health Laboratory

A. Joy Rivera

Contact Information

3217 Mechanical Engineering Building
1513 University Avenue
Madison, WI 53706-1572

Tel: 414-688-8490
E-mail: Ajrivera@wisc.edu

About Me

My hometown is Milwaukee, WI. I received my BS degree in Industrial and Systems Engineering here at UW-Madison, and because I couldn't get enough of Badger Town, USA, I decided to continue on for my PhD in Industrial and Systems Engineering with an emphasis in Human Factors and Safety.

The MESH lab has been a perfect fit for me! As the youngest graduate student in the lab (at least for right now), I am able to soak up tons of information from the rest of the students...it truly is a great learning environment outside of classes! I consider myself extremely lucky to have such great resources at the tip of my fingers.

As I continue on in my graduate career, I have three goals I want to accomplish before I graduate: 1) Learn how to conduct a quality research study; 2) Improve on communicating my findings through presentations, journals and teaching; and 3) Be a good role model to young women!

Favorite Courses (Thus Far):

• ISyE 349: Introduction to Human Factors
• ISyE 556: Occupational Safety and Health Engineering
• ISyE 564: Occupational Ergonomics and Biomechanics
• ISyE 575: Introduction to Quality Engineering
• ISyE 652: Sociotechnical Systems
• ISyE 663: Occupational Stress
• ISyE 859: Multi-Level Ergonomics

Program Affiliations

• Industrial and Systems Engineering

Education

• BS Industrial and Systems Engineering, University of Wisconsin-Madison, May 2006
• Ongoing: PhD Industrial and Systems Engineering, University of Wisconsin-Madison

Fields of Interest

• Human Factors and Ergonomics
• Occupational Safety and Health
• Sociotechnical Systems
• Patient Safety

Publications

Rivera, A. J., Karsh, B., (2007). A Human Factors and Systems Enigneering Approach to Patient Safety for Radiation Therapy. IJROBP. Under Review.

Research Projects

Student Assistant (2006-2007), Bar coding technology and patient and employee safety, Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality

Teaching Experience

Grader for IE 556, Occupational Safety and Health

• Write Exams
• Guest Lecture

Selected Awards, Honors and Societies

Awards and Honors

• Graduate Engineering Research Scholar Fellowship, University of Wisconsin-Madison, 2007
• Chancellor Scholar: 2001-2006
  • Co-chair: 2003-2004
• Leaders in Engineering Excellence and Diversity Scholar: 2001-2006
• Academic Excellence Scholarship Recipient: 2001-2005

Societies

• Institute of Industrial Engineering: 2004-Present
  • Fundraising Officer: 2005-2006
• Health Systems Engineering Association: 2006-Present
• American Society of Safety Engineers: 2006-Present
• Society of Hispanic Professional Engineers: 2005-Present
• Healthcare Information and Management System Society: 2006-Present
• Women In Science and Engineering: 2001-Present
• Greater University Tutoring Service: 2001-2003