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Iya is Space Psychologist, Director, Centre for Space Medicine, Mullard Space Science Laboratory, UCL, at the forefront of applied research, developing methods to explore and realise human potential.
Iya's aim for the Centre for Space Medicine is to dive into and to explore the human mind, to develop our abilities and to realise our potential, while we explore outer space.
The Human Space Flight research is applied in its nature, where astronauts live and work on the edge between life and death; only separated by light and thin layers of materials from drastic variations in temperature and the vacuum of space. Astronauts and cosmonauts are explorers and experts in their own right. They gain knowledge and have practical skills in several areas, from a hardcore engineering to blue-sky research. They often fly all sorts of vehicles and play several musical instruments, and excel in photography and the art of public speaking. Astronauts are great team players of a large space family working together to achieve succesful missions. Every space mission is supported by hundreds of people from all over the Earth; from space flight directors, space flight controllers, spacecraft engineers, rocket scientists, spacesuit designers, food and diet experts, chefs and even greater number of scientists that contribute to novel life support systems, practical material that can protect humans and equipment for the harsh reality of outer space. At the centre we collaborate with the international space family. We explore how to extend human potential in this unique environment, to design interaction with people, technology and this unique environment to improve the quality of life in space and as a result to apply what we learn on Earth.
Links: personal page and ART for FUNDRAISING
Iya has been selected as the Chair of the Space Environment Working Group (SEWG) advising to the UK Space Agency and has been invited to represent SEWG at the UK Space Exploration Advisory Committee. As the Space Psychologist, Iya completed the Astronaut Instructors training programme at the European Astronaut Centre (EAC). At EAC Iya worked as a Human Behaviour Performance Specialist and contributed to the development of the Human Behaviour Performance course for the new European Astronaut corp, Tim Peake's astronaut selection year. Iya lead and continuing to support ESA funded project, Expert Tool to Support Crew Autonomous Operations in Complex Human Spacecraft. She directed ESA Study on the development of Technology and Techniques for Psychological Support of the crew during exploration missions to the Moon and Mars. The results of these projects and the MoD anti-terrorism project lead to the production of video training courses.
Iya also was a part of an International Technology Alliance (ITA) in Network and Information Science US-UK collaboration team, developing tools that will help overcome linguistic and cultural miscommunication in a military coalition environment. Iya’s research and development expertise also extent into the design of Humanoid Robots and development of Human-Robot Interactions applied design concepts that can enhance human abilities and allow operation in otherwise novel and extreme environment.
Iya enjoys public engagement and works with BBC TV and Radio. The latest programme science TV programme ran three times in the past three years, with six episodes and sixty minutes each. BBC Two - ASTRONAUTS: Do you have what it takes? created by BBC Studios, where 12 men and women from all over the UK take on elements of the most extreme and demanding selection programme, normally reserved for real-life astronaut candidates. Former astronaut and Commander of the International Space Station Chris Hadfield, alongside Dr Kevin Fong and Dr Iya Whiteley will lead the selection programme based on the space agencies’ application criteria.
Brief Professional Background
Iya is a broadly qualified Human Computer Interaction and Cognitive System Engineer with over 25 years experience in the aerospace domain and background in Clinical Psychology, Multicultural Crew selection, Interface and Cockpit Design. At the Marshall Aerospace Design Office she composed and applied practical Cognitive Engineering training programs for all levels of Engineers, and oversaw Human Machine Interface issues in the conversion modifications of a C130H Hercules aircraft into a modern glass cockpit design. Iya’s PhD, University of Bath, Computer Science Department, lead to development of a method to design a modern aircraft cockpit as a coherent, intuitive and fully integrated information workspace. She adapted a unique method of studying operators’ information demand and information processing strategies in a real-world operating environment to understand pilots’ cognitive processes and to inform intuitive display design. At Emirates Airlines, Iya conducted psychometric evaluation during the recruitment process of aircrew from over 70 nationalities. Iya attended Airbus 320 pilot conversion courses from conventional to glass cockpit aircraft and gained knowledge of modern aircraft through computer based training on Boeing 777 and Hercules C130J.
Iya was a on Steering committee for Space Psychology and Human-Machine Systems group on THESEUS program representing UK ("Towards Human Exploration of Space: A EUropean Strategy"), funded by the European Commission Seventh Framework Programme - (FP7) to develop integrated life science research roadmap. Iya is a member of the Royal Aeronautical Society, the UK Space Biomedicine Association the Association of Aviation Psychologists, the Society for Human Performance in Extreme Environments and of the International Association for the Advancement of Space Safety. Iya was on the team of an ESA Research Topical Team, investigating Psychosocial and Neurobehavioural Aspects of Human Spaceflight.
Hobbies
I strive to make a better, more inspiring and more fulfilling life. I raise funding for those in need through my books, art and games, making everyday surroundings inspirational and educational. These surroundings are full of purposeful art and games encouraging exploration of science and nature for the whole family and children of all ages, from newborn babies to teenagers. Games allow kinesthetic learning and playful exploration of science and nature in micro and macro cosmos; improving memory, reaction times, situational awareness and cognitive performance overall.
I also love flying, scuba diving, skydiving, acupuncture and since having two children, designing books for children about Space, Engineering, Science and Nature. Every single book has the associated charity that benefits from it.
- Publications
Blackhall, V. I., Walker, K. G., Whiteley, I., & Wilson, P. (2019). Use of head camera-cued recall and debrief to externalise expertise: A systematic review of literature from multiple fields of practice. BMJ Simulation and Technology Enhanced Learning, 5 (3), 121-129. doi:10.1136/bmjstel-2018-000341
Blackhall, V., Amin, A., Whiteley, I., Walker, K., & Wilson, P. (2018). iView Expert: Explicating practitioner expertise in complex medical procedures. Presented at: International Surgical Congress of the Association-of-Surgeons-of-Great-Britain-and-Ireland.
Whiteley, D. I., & Bogatyreva, D. O. (2018). Toolkit for a Space Psychologist To Support Astronauts in Exploration Missions to the Moon and Mars.
Amin, A., Whiteley, I., Walker, K., & Shearer, R. (2016). iViewExpert: using a video-cued recall and debrief method from astronaut, pilot and firefighter training, to understand and transfer technical medical expertise. Presented at: This abstract was presented at the Innovative Solutions in Remote Healthcare - 'Rethinking Remote' conference'.
Baykaner, K. R., Huckvale, M. A., Whiteley, I., Andreeva, S., & Ryumin, O. (2015). Predicting fatigue and psychophysiological test performance from speech for safety-critical environments. Frontiers in Bioengineering and Biotechnology, 3 (124). doi:10.3389/fbioe.2015.00124
Baykaner KR, Huckvale M, Whiteley I, Andreeva S and Ryumin O (2015). Predicting fatigue and psychophysiological test performance from speech for safety-critical environments. Front. Bioeng. Biotechnol. 3:124
Whiteley I: Expert Tool to Support Crew Autonomous Operations in Complex Human Spacecraft. Technical Report 1 (21584/08/NL/HE), January 2009, Bristol, UK.
Whiteley I & Bruseberg A: CET IO - Iterative Design for a Complex Human Spacecraft Problem Solving Tool. Technical Report 2 (21584/08/NL/HE), April 2009, Bristol, UK.
Whiteley I & Bruseberg A: CET IO - Requirements for a Complex Human Spacecraft Problem Solving Tool. Technical Note 3 (21584/08/NL/HE), June 2009, Bristol, UK.
Whiteley I: CET IO - Design and Evaluation of a Complex Human Spacecraft Problem Solving Tool. Technical Note 4 (21584/08/NL/HE), September 2009, Bristol, UK.
Whiteley I, Bogatyreva O, Johnson C, Wolff M, & Townend M: Human Mission to Mars: Designing a Crew Expert Tool for a Safety Critical Environment. In: Proceedings of the 3rd The International Association for the Advancement of Space Safety (IAASS) Conference, ‘Building a safer space together’, 21-23 October 2008, Rome, Italy.
Whiteley I, Bogatyreva O, Johnson C, Wolff M, & Townend M: A Structured Approach to Scenario Generation for the Design of Crew Expert Tool. In: Proceedings of the 3rd The International Association for the Advancement of Space Safety (IAASS) Conference, ‘Building a safer space together’, 21-23 October 2008, Rome, Italy.
Whiteley I & Bogatyreva O: Human Moon and Mars Exploration Mission Challenges & Tools for Psychological Support. In: Proceedings of the 59th International Astronautical Congress, 29 September – 3 October, 2008, Glasgow, Scotland.
Poteet S, Patel P, Giammanco C, Whiteley I, Xue P & Kao A: Words Are Mightier Than Swords … and Yet Miscommunication Costs Lives! In: Proceedings of the ACITA 2008, September, 2008, London, England.
Larsson, A, Whiteley I and Kao, A: A Multidimensional Approach to Studying Cultural Differences and Coping Strategies in a Multinational Coalition Environment. In: Proceedings of the 13th International Command and Control Research and Technology Symposium, 17-19 June 2008, WA, USA.
Poteet S, Xue P, Patel J, Kao A, Giammanco C and Whiteley I: Linguistic Sources of Coalition Miscommunication. In: Proceedings of the NATO RTO-MP-HFM-142 Adaptability in Coalition Teamwork. 21-23 April 2008. Copenhagen, Denmark, (in press).
Solodilova-Whiteley, I: Tools for Psychological Support during Exploration Missions: Psychological Challenges, Constraints and Existing Solutions. Technical Report 1 (ESA 20257/06/NL/EK), February 2007, SEA, Bristol, UK.
Solodilova-Whiteley, I: Psychological Support during Exploration Missions: EPSILON (Embedded Psychological Support Integrated for Long-duration) Baseline Architecture. Technical Report 2 (ESA 20257/06/NL/EK), July 2007, SEA, Bristol, UK.
Solodilova-Whiteley, I: Tools for Psychological Support during Exploration Missions: Workshop Summary. Technical Report 3 (ESA 20257/06/NL/EK), June 2007, SEA, Bristol, UK.
Solodilova-Whiteley, I: EPSILON: Recommendations and Development Plan. Technical Report 4 (ESA 20257/06/NL/EK), December 2007, SEA, Bristol, UK.
Solodilova-Whiteley I (Ed): Proceedings workshop on Tools for Psychological Support during Exploration Missions to Mars and Moon, 26 March 2007, ESTEC, Noordwijk, the Netherlands. (ESA 20257/06/NL/EK) ESA & SEA.
Solodilova I and Galster S: “Information optimization for the UMV operator interface.” In: Proceedings of the NATO RTO-MP-HFM-135 Human Factors of Uninhabited Military Vehicles as Force Multipliers. September 2006, Biarritz, France, [CD-ROM].
Solodilova I and Johnson P: “Uncovering the Information Needs in Complex Aerospace Systems”. In: The Journal of the Reliability Engineering and System Safety, 2006: 19, pp. 1566-1575.
Solodilova-Whiteley, I: “Ph.D. Dissertation: A Design Strategy for Human-System Integration in Aerospace: Where to start and how to design Information Integration for Dynamic, Time and Safety Critical Systems” In Department of Computer Science, University of Bath Technical Report Series, CSBU-2006-12, July 2006, ISSN 1740-9497
Solodilova I, Lintern G, and Johnson P: ‘’A Mind-Reference Framework for Design and Evaluation of Intuitive and Natural Interfaces’’ In: Jensen R, (Ed), Proceedings of the 13th International Symposium on Aviation Psychology, 18-21 April, 2005, Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, USA, [CD-ROM]
Solodilova I, and Johnson P: “Uncovering the Information Needs in Complex Aerospace Systems.” In: Johnson C, (Ed): Proceedings of the Workshop on the Complexity in Design and Engineering (CiD 2005), 10-12th 2005, University of Glasgow, UK
Solodilova I and Johnson P: “Mind References’ in the Glass Cockpit: An Experimental Study.” Submitted to the HCI Aero 2004, 29 September - 1 October 2004 in Toulouse, France, organized by The European Institute of Cognitive Sciences and Engineering.
Solodilova I, Lintern G, and Johnston N: ‘’The Modern Commercial Cockpit As a Multi-Dimensional, Information-Action Workspace.’’ In: Jensen R, (Ed), Proceedings of the 12th International Symposium on Aviation Psychology, 14-17 April, 2003, Dayton, Ohio, USA, pp. 1096-1101.
Solodilova I and Bruseberg A: “Information integration in the glass cockpit.” In: Proceedings of the HCI Aero 2002, 23-25 October 2002, MIT, Cambridge, Massachusetts, USA, pp 222-223.
Bruseberg A, Solodilova I, Hourizi R, and Johnson P: “A framework for re-examining accident reports to support interaction design processes.” In: Johnson C, (Ed), Proceedings of the Workshop on the Investigation and Reporting of Incidents and Accidents (IRIA 2002), 17th - 20th July 2002, University of Glasgow. available from: http://www.dcs.gla.ac.uk/~johnson/iria2002/IRIA_2002.pdf
Hourizi R, Johnson P, Bruseberg A, Solodilova I: “Modelling Collaborative Work in UML.” In: Johnson C (ed.): Proceedings of the 21st European Annual Conference on Human Decision Making and Control (EAM 2002), 15th - 16th July 2002, University of Glasgow. available from: http://www.dcs.gla.ac.uk/~johnson/eam2002/EAM_2002.pdf
Elliott G, Crawford J, Solodilova I, Sanderson P, & Naikar N. (2000). Comparison of Adversarial Crew Cognitive Walkthrough vs Cued Debrief Recall Techniques for Eliciting Information in a D3M environment. Proceedings of the 2000 Annual Conference of the Computer-Human Interaction Special Interest Group (CHISIG) of the Ergonomics Society of Australia (OzCHI2000). Sydney, Australia. December 4-8.
Solodilova I. (1999). Panic Disorder with Agoraphobia. Unpublished M.Clin.Psych. Thesis, University of Indianapolis, Indianapolis.