Research Interests
Human-Centered Simulation Design; Predictive Fire Simulation & Risk Modeling; High-Risk
Operational Training Environments; Air Quality Sensing & Environmental Monitoring; Digital
Twin Methodologies for Operational Analysis; Drone & LiDAR-Based Spatial Capture; AI-Driven
Adaptive Instruction in Simulation; Autonomous System Integration in Logistics and Supply
Networks.
Education
M.S. Modeling & Simulation
University of Central Florida
2010
B.A. Digital Media - Internet & Interactive Systems
University of Central Florida
2007
Certifications
- Engineering Technology: AutoCAD Professional - Tulsa Community College. Issued Jan 2026.
- Certified SOLIDWORKS Associate (CSWA) - Dassault Systèmes. Issued Dec 2025. Credential ID C-CEGKMZL5TR.
- Foundations of User Experience (UX) Design - Google. Issued Jul 2023. Credential ID GBLT2GG4GFAV.
- Human Subjects Research, Social/Behavioral Research Investigators and Key Personnel - CITI Program. Issued Dec 2024. Credential ID 31846894.
- Unity Certified Developer - Unity. Credential ID 20167UCD835.
Appointments
University of Central Florida, Institute for Simulation & Training, Orlando, FL
Senior Experience Designer
- Designed operator interfaces for oil industry and microchip factory digital twins.
- Architected a DARPA-sponsored geospatial population modeling system in Cesium.
- Contributed to federal proposals and briefed government sponsors.
2016 - Present
Canon U.S.A., Inc., Melville, NY
Mixed Reality Visualization Consultant
- Designed spatial interactions for aerospace, automotive, and architecture.
- Supported RFP responses and integration for Embraer.
- Conducted field research and usability studies.
2014 - 2016
University of Central Florida, Institute for Simulation & Training, Orlando, FL
Research Faculty
- Led VR Incident Commander training simulator for Orange County Fire Rescue.
- Designed VR/AR/MR training environments; co-PI on funded research.
- Designed military training simulations; conducted field interviews.
2011 - 2014
Orlando Science Center
Advisory Board Member, Otronicon
- Served on the advisory board for Otronicon, the Orlando Science Center's annual celebration of interactive technology, video games, and STEM career exposure, featuring military and medical simulators alongside industry-led workshops and panels.
Research Projects
- Micro-electronics Digital Twin (MeDT). Economic Development Agency (EDA). 2022 - 2026.
- Silicon Pathways: Virtual Fab for Reskilling and Upskilling. Florida Semiconductor Engine / NSF. 2024 - ongoing.
- Schlumberger Downhole Tools Simulation Pilot: Creating a Simulation-based Blended Learning System (SBBLS). Schlumberger Technology Corporation. 2015 - 2026.
- Transforming Next Generation Emergency Response. Department of Homeland Security NGFR Program. 2016 - 2019.
- Schlumberger - Tarr Master Agreement. Schlumberger Technology Corporation. Ends 12-2028.
- Soldier Perception Laboratory. US Army Research Laboratory. Ends 06-2021.
- Lightning. Kentucky Science Center. Ends 12-2020.
- AR Enhancement of Technical Posters. Sandia National Laboratories. Ends 06-2020.
- Schlumberger Service Order 6 (SO6): Core UCF Analysis, Planning and Concept Activities. Schlumberger Technology Corporation. Ends 12-2018.
- A Novel Pregnancy Prevention Intervention for Latino Middle School Girls. National Institutes for Health NINR, subaward from University of Miami. 6/2012 - 6/2019.
- Metaphor-Based Learning of Physics Concepts through Whole-Body Interaction in a Mixed Reality Science Center Exhibit. National Science Foundation AISL, subaward from UIUC. 9/2011 - 2/2017.
- Glucose Simulator Pilot. Internal funding. 2014 - 2016.
- Production of Animated Videos for Autism Research. University of Florida. Ends 02-2014.
- Connected Garden. ADL. 6/2013 - 3/2014.
- Incident Command Training. Orange County Fire Rescue / FEMA. 6/2012 - 8/2013.
- Water's Journey through the Everglades. National Science Foundation. 7/2007 - 7/2012.
- Space, Science and Spirituality. Templeton Foundation. 9/2011 - 6/2012.
- LEAP Phase I. Simiosys. Ends 04-2011.
Publications
Peer-Reviewed Journals & Proceedings
- Sonnenfeld, N. A., Nguyen, B., Duruaku, F., Alonso, A., Carney, M., Smith, E., & Jentsch, F. (2023). Flightcrew procedures experimental training: Simulation testbed design, development, & interactive demonstration. Proceedings of the Human Factors and Ergonomics Society Annual Meeting, 67(1), 253–258.
- Smith, E., Tarr, R., Fidopiastis, C., Carney, M., Lackey, S., & Shumaker, R. (2015). Working the modes: Understanding the value of multiple modalities of technologies for learning and training success. Virtual, Augmented and Mixed Reality, 9179, 321–328.
- Smith, E., Carney, M., & Cavendish, K. (2013, May/June). Applying simulations to social learning experiences. ASTC Dimensions, 48-50.
Tutorial Workshops
- Smith, E., Bockelman, P., Carney, M., & Fidopiastis, C. (2019). Imagining a future of symbiotic human interaction with technology [Tutorial workshop]. HCII 2019, Orlando, FL.
- Smith, E., Bockelman, P., Carney, M., & Fidopiastis, C. (2017, July). Designing for operational environments: Interactive training using multimodal technologies [Tutorial workshop]. HCII 2017, Vancouver, Canada.
- Smith, E., Tarr, R., Carney, M., & Fidopiastis, C. (2016, July). Design of training programs using multiple modalities of technologies [Tutorial workshop]. HCII 2016, Toronto, Canada.
Conference Presentations
- Tarr, R., Smith, E., Totten, E., Carney, M., & Wajda, M. (2014, December). Utilizing simulation and game-based learning to enhance incident commander training. Interservice/Industry Training, Simulation, and Education Conference (I/ITSEC), Orlando, FL.
- Smith, E., Tarr, R., Fidopiastis, C., & Carney, M. (2015). Working the modes: Understanding the value of multiple modalities of technologies for learning and training success. HCII 2015, Los Angeles, CA.
- Haddad, S. (Design Interactive Inc), & Carney, M. (Canon). (2015, June). Designing for training. Augmented World Expo (AWE), Santa Clara, CA.
Teaching & Mentorship
Game Design
Adjunct Professor, 2015 - 2017
E2i Internship Program - Founder & Director
UCF Institute for Simulation & Training
- Founded and ran a highly selective undergraduate internship program (accepting less than half of applicants), pairing UCF students with faculty and community partners on creative project development resulting in portfolio-level deliverables.
- Partnered with national organizations such as Canon USA to provide interns with substantive career-building experiences.
Languages
- English (native)
- Spanish (in progress)
Memberships & Affiliations
- Human-Computer Interaction International (HCII)
- ACM SIGGRAPH
- Autodesk User Group International (AUGI)