Researcher Spotlight: Joel Mumma

What is your professional background?
I received my PhD in Engineering Psychology (also known as Human Factors Engineering) from the Georgia Institute of Technology in 2019. While I was a graduate student, I began collaborating with infectious disease physicians at Emory as part of the CDC’s Prevention Epicenters program. After graduating, I split my time working as a Human Factors Engineer for Emory Healthcare and, separately, establishing the Healthcare Human Factors Lab (HHFL) at Emory, which aims to improve the safety and efficiency of healthcare through Human Factors-based research, evaluation, and design. 

In what division do you work, and who is your mentor?
I work in the Division of Infectious Diseases, under the mentorship of Drs. Colleen Kraft and Jesse Jacob. 

Briefly describe your research. Why is it important?
I study the role of human behavior in the prevention and control of infectious diseases and the factors that shape those behaviors, such as the design of equipment, technology, processes, and the built environment. Doing so often involves performing high-fidelity simulations of patient care activities, in which healthcare personnel interact with surfaces that are contaminated with viral surrogates. These interactions are video recorded and unpacked via interviewing techniques. By understanding the factors that shape these interactions, positively or negatively, we can redesign work systems to improve the safety and efficiency of patient care. 

What do you like most about Emory?
My research involves interdisciplinary collaboration. Emory, which is renowned for its expertise in infectious diseases and is connected with other influential institutions and organizations such as the Georgia Institute of Technology and the CDC, is highly supportive of research that spans multiple disciplines. 

What is your favorite movie or TV show?
I will watch almost anything that concerns food, traveling, or home renovations. 

What do you like to do in your spare time?
I enjoy going for long walks with my wife or playing the piano. 

What is a fun fact about you?
While in college, I earned money by scoring short documentary films.