IBR’s Operational & Fatigue Research unit (OFR) focuses on taking the knowledge developed by basic laboratory fatigue science and testing it in the “real world” by studying individuals and groups in their natural work and social environments.
The Applied Behavioral Biology Unit (ABBU), directed by Dr. Pete Roma, and the forthcoming Joseph V. Brady Behavioral Sciences Center focus on experimental investigations of environmental, psychosocial, and biological factors relevant to behavioral health and operational performance in individuals and groups.
Whether in the laboratory or in the field, meaningful research results depend on meaningful measurements. To this end, IBR and colleagues utilize several high-fidelity simulations to capture critical aspects of behavior and operational performance in response to various fatigue-relevant conditions.
An increasingly important application of basic behavioral and biological science is the development of mathematical models that predict performance and improve health and safety in the real world. IBR President Dr. Steven R. Hursh is widely recognized for his development and application of innovative biomathematical models, including in the area of fatigue and human performance e.g., SAFTE-FAST.