​Name: Natalie Lodinger
 
Hometown: Houston, TX
 
Year in program:  5th year
 
Research Interest: I am interested in perception. I enjoy learning about how we complete the seemingly easy tasks we do every day, such as reaching to different objects. These tasks can cause developers and programmers headaches when trying to emulate in a robot or artificial agent. I am also interested in cybersecurity research. I think cybersecurity is a challenging, relevant problem that confronts people every day.
 
Career Aspirations: I want to work for a company and improve people’s experiences with their products. I hope to see my research findings applied to real-world problems.
 
Fun Fact: I like everything about art: making it, studying it, and looking at it!
 
Advice to younger students: Never doubt yourself and do not let fear keep you from doing something. You never know what you can do until you try it.

We want to give a special thank you Dr. Greg Funke of the Air Force Research Laboratory (AFRL) for speaking to the chapter. 

Dr. Funke is the lead of the Team Research Group in the Cognitive Enhancement and Biodynamics Branch, Airman Bioengineering Division, Airman Systems Directorate, 711th Human Performance Wing, Air Force Research Laboratory (AFRL). His research is currently focused on individual and team adaptive aiding and human-machine teaming. In his presentation, Dr. Funke will give an overview of research occurring in the 711th Human Performance Wing at AFRL, provide information about internship, career, and collaboration opportunities at AFRL, and briefly describe the research he’s engaged in.

This past Saturday, chapter members met up for dinner at the first spring semester social! We had a great turn out and can’t wait to plan the next one!

Name: Miriam Armstrong

Location: Lubbock, TX

Year in program: 7th 

Research Interest: My primary interest is in cybersecurity, specifically in understanding how people detect and respond to cybersecurity risks such as phishing emails. I am also interested in the intersection between perceived humanness and technology. To what extent does one perceive another person as being human when they interact online? To what degree do people consider technologies like robots to be human and why?

Career Aspirations: I want to continue researching the human factors of cybersecurity and to someday run my own lab. 

Fun fact: I consider New Mexico my home, but I have lived in 7 states and 2 countries so far. 

Advice to younger students: There is no one correct way to go through school or become a competitive job candidate. Learn from the experience of others, but don't feel the pressure to replicate what they've done. 

Chapter members McKenna Tornblad, Natalie Lodinger, Rogelio Carrillo and Nicholas Garcia partook in the Tim Tebow Foundation’s 2020 Night to Shine event in Lubbock.

Night to Shine is an unforgettable prom night experience for people with special needs. The event entails guests entering their prom aboard a limousine, stepping out onto a red carpet complete with paparazzi, and endless fun activities. Guests receive VIP treatment including hair and makeup stations, shoe shining, corsages and boutonnieres, a karaoke room, dinner, and dancing.
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Natalie, Nick and Rogelio served on the Red Carpet Team and had chance to welcome all the guests as they arrived to the prom. McKenna served on the dance team and ensured that guests had a great time on the dance floor. They look forward to participating for years to come!