Robert Sugarman

Dr. Robert C. Sugarman is Stavatti’s Director of Human Factors Engineering and manager of Stavatti’s Western New York office. Dr. Sugarman has conducted research and development programs in instructional system development (ISD), perceptual processes, vehicle driving, human-computer interaction, equipment design and evaluation, and physiological processes. He has authored over 60 papers and publications, numerous training programs, and five patent disclosures (one US patent awarded), and is a contributor to the Human Factors Engineering Guidelines and Preferred Practices for the Design of Medical Devices, ANSI/AAMI HE48-1993, Human Factors Design Process for Medical Devices, ANSI/AAMI HE74:2001, and current revisions.

Dr. Sugarman’s projects have included an evaluation of a system to prevent drunken driving, an investigation of factors contributing to decreased alertness during long-duration low-event driving, studies of camouflage, the design of operator computer and operator/maintainer machine interfaces, and the design and evaluation of commercial products. He was selected by the international Human Factors and Ergonomics Society to participate in a program to develop a comprehensive human factors plan for the Nuclear Regulatory Commission. The project examined human engineering, procedures and operator aids, manpower and personnel, and training and training devices for all aspects of the nuclear power industry.

Dr. Sugarman supervised seven ISD programs (as prime or subcontractor) for aircrew and maintainer (Air Force B 1 and NGT, Navy E 2B/C, F 4J/N, F/A 18, LAMPS Mk III, and VTXTS) and other government and industrial operations, maintenance, and safety training programs. He developed a highly versatile, low cost procedures trainer to deliver computer-based training for military and industrial organizations.

Dr. Sugarman’s current work is the development of multimedia training programs for industrial operations, environmental health & safety, and maintenance and quality control for light to heavy industry. He also conducts classes on ergonomics for safety and ergonomics teams and was employed to manage quality for the start up of construction of the Buffalo Life Sciences Complex for Turner Construction Company. He has provided expert testimony in human factors engineering for civil and criminal trials for over 30 years.