Touch is the Key to Fang’s Success

Have you ever used a virtual keyboard that didn’t vibrate or show you a key has been pressed? Or a flat keyboard that made no noise? Was it unsettling, at first, to not hear the clicks and clacks or feel the keys move under your fingers? These tactile experiences are essential to the user’s experience with the virtual world. It is also what sparked the fascination of ISE senior Emily Fang to study ergonomics.

Fang’s interest in ergonomics stretches back to when she was young. Her interactions with the tactile experience of her mouse and keyboard sparked a fascination inside her. “I have since ventured into modifying and building keyboards that optimize user comfort and satisfaction,” Fang explained. No longer the young girl who was captivated by user interfaces, she now conducts research to push the boundaries of ergonomic design further.

Her dedication to ergonomic research and impressive achievements has earned Fang the Applied Ergonomic Science Student of the Year Award during this year’s Applied Ergonomics Conference. “Being awarded the student of the year accolade holds great significance to me, as it reflects my dedication to my academic pursuits,” she expressed. “The award instills in me the confidence and motivation to strive towards even greater accomplishments in the future.” With the encouragement and confidence that the award has given her, Fang is excited to see how far she can push her research and education.

“After graduation, I intend to pursue postgraduate studies with the goal of obtaining a Ph.D. in Industrial Engineering,” Fang shared. She wants to improve the education system and is deeply passionate about creating more opportunities for future generations of ergonomists. “My current area of interest lies in the field of AR/VR for learning technologies.With the increasing accessibility of AR and VR, I am eager to explore their potential benefits for enhancing education.”

While she still has a few years before she can make this dream a reality, that doesn’t discourage Fang from offering advice to future ergonomists. “Consistently give your best effort while acknowledging that failure is a natural part of the learning process,” she advises. “It is crucial to remember that as long as you are putting in your best effort, you are on the right path towards achieving success.”