STTG Member Spotlight: Dr. Brandon Pitts

 

 

Dr. Brandon Pitts

Dr. Brandon Pitts is the Elliott Sigal Rising Star Associate Professor in the Edwardson School of Industrial Engineering and Director of the Next-generation Human-systems and Cognitive Engineering (NHanCE) Lab at Purdue University in West Lafayette, IN. His research interests are in human factors, cognitive engineering, human-AI interaction, cyber-physical systems, and accessibility in transportation environments. Dr. Pitts received a Bachelor of Science in Industrial Engineering from Louisiana State University in 2010, and an M.S.E. and Ph.D. in Industrial and Operations Engineering from the University of Michigan in 2013 and 2016, respectively.

What was the path to your current role?
I was given the opportunity to get involved in research as an undergraduate student both during the academic year and summertime. Those experiences prepared me for what to expect in graduate school. Also, while in graduate school, I was inspired by other professors who seemed to love their job. I then realized that I too was passionate about research and wanted to devote my career to academia.

What are the responsibilities associated with your role?

The job of a professor is quite involved and consists of the following: 

  1. developing and teaching graduate and undergraduate level courses 

  2. mentoring graduate and undergraduate students in research

  3. writing proposals to seek funds to support a research program 

  4. publishing research in journal articles and conference proceedings 

  5. serving on college/school/university committees 

  6. providing service to professional and research communities

  7. delivering invited talks, presentations, and keynote addresses 

  8. developing and engaging in community service and outreach activities to introduce research to the public 

What made you decide to pursue an academic role?
I was always told that I am a curious person and later discovered that I love research. Often, I do not feel satisfied when I get answers to burning questions I have. So, I believed that a career as a professor would allow me to endlessly explore ideas that I might not otherwise have the chance to. I also desired to spark this same curiosity in both undergraduate and graduate students.

What do you enjoy the most in your current role?
I enjoy being exposed to many different people and ideas. I have been at Purdue for 8 years now and have met thousands of students with different backgrounds and interests. They help me expand my thinking and motivate me to make the content of my lectures relevant to their experiences. I have also been fortunate to travel to numerous conferences and gain exposure to a wide range of topics and problems that researchers around the world are trying to address. 

Could you describe a favorite or recent project?
I truly enjoy all of my research projects! But a recent project that my lab completed this summer was our very first on-road naturalistic experiment with an automotive company focused on the future of personalized transportation. For years, my students and I have conducted controlled laboratory experiments, but naturalistic studies are very different yet exciting. There is so much more to coordinate and plan for, but there is greater potential for research findings to directly translate into practice.

What skillsets would you expect from people applying to a role that is similar to yours?
As I mentioned, the job of a professor is highly multifaceted. Those who wish to pursue this career path should know how to manage their time well.  We are expected to teach, mentor, conduct research, and perform service, as well as maintain our personal lives. It is best to practice juggling many things at once before starting this job. Also, mentorship is important. Think about who might be good mentors for you and seek their guidance. In the future, be willing to also serve as a mentor for someone else.  

What is one piece of advice you would give up-and-coming HF professionals who want to work in surface transportation related roles?
Gain a general understanding of the types of problems facing the surface transportation industry as well as some of the solutions that have aimed to address those problems. As researchers in human factors and transportation, we attempt to solve the most pressing human-vehicle related problems. If you can familiarize yourself with the top challenges and tested solutions in the field, you will be much more prepared to enter as a professional.  

Do you have any suggestions for must-know skills and tools?
Be open to opportunities, even those you have not yet considered. Many professionals become very knowledgeable about a particular area and feel comfortable operating within it. But it is important that a person does not become so narrowly focused on only one area that they ignore any and all other unrelated ones. I attribute some of my career success to my adaptability. During my tenure as a professor, there here have been unique opportunities presented to me. Instead of thinking ‘that’s not my area,” I figured out how to relate them to my expertise.