• Engineering psychology
• Multisensory perception
• Skill acquisition and motor learning
• Motor imagery
• Tool use
• Human-computer interaction (HCI)
• Virtual reality
• Driving simulation and driver behavior
• Cognitive neuroscience (fMRI)

Lab

Cognition and Action in Real & Virtual Environments (CARVE) Lab

Selected Publications

Bell, J.D., & Macuga, K.L. (2022). Are tools truly incorporated as an extension of the body representation?: Assessing the evidence for tool embodiment. Psychonomic Bulletin & Review. Advance online publication.

Mohammed, H.A., Hurwitz, D.S., & Macuga, K.L. (2020). Drivers' visual attention during the onset of the circular yellow indication at high-speed signalized intersections. Traffic Injury Prevention, 21, 259-264.

Abadi, M.G., Hurwitz, D.S., & Macuga, K.L. (2019). Towards safer bicyclist responses to the presence of a truck near an urban loading zone: Analysis of bicyclist perceived level of comfort. Journal of Safety Research, 71, 181-190.

Bell, J.D., & Macuga, K.L. (2019). Goal directed aiming under restricted viewing conditions with confirmatory sensory feedback. Human Movement Science, 67, 102515.

Macuga, K.L., Beall, A.C., Smith, R.S., & Loomis, J.L. (2019). Visual control of steering in curve driving. Journal of Vision, 19(5):1, 1-12.

Macuga, K.L. (2019). Multisensory influences on driver steering during curve navigation. Human Factors, 61, 337-347.

LaFortune, J., & Macuga, K.L. (2018). Learning movements from a virtual instructor: Effects of spatial orientation, immersion, and expertise. Journal of Experimental Psychology: Applied, 24, 521-533.

Macuga, K.L. (2018). Sensorimotor adaptation when steering with altered vehicle dynamics. Transportation Research Part F: Psychology and Behaviour, 59, 115-123.

Islam, M.R., Hurwitz, D.S., Macuga, K.L. (2016). Improved driver responses at intersections with red signal countdown timers. Transportation Research Part C: Emerging Technologies, 63, 207-221.

Macuga, K.L., & Frey, S.H. (2014). Differential contributions of the superior and inferior parietal cortex to feedback versus feedforward control of tools. NeuroImage, 92, 36-45.

Macuga, K.L., Papailiou, A.P., & Frey, S.H. (2012). Motor imagery of tool use: Relationship to actual use and adherence to Fitts’ law across tasks. Experimental Brain Research, 218, 169-179.

Macuga, K.L., & Frey, S.H. (2012). Neural representations involved in observed, imagined, and imitated actions are dissociable and hierarchically organized. NeuroImage, 59, 2798-2807.

Macuga, K.L., & Frey, S.H. (2011). Selective responses in right inferior frontal and supramarginal gyri differentiate between observed movements of oneself vs. another. Neuropsychologia, 49, 1202-1207.

Macuga, K.L., Beall, A.C., Kelly, J.W., Smith, R.S., & Loomis, J.M. (2007). Changing lanes: Inertial cues and explicit path information facilitate steering performance when visual feedback is removed. Experimental Brain Research, 178(2), 141-150.

Macuga, K.L., Loomis, J.M., Beall, A.C., & Kelly, J.W. (2006). Perception of heading without retinal optic flow. Attention, Perception, & Psychophysics, 68(5), 872-878.

Loomis, J.M., Beall, A.C., Macuga, K.L., Kelly, J.W., & Smith, R.S. (2006). Visual control of action without retinal optic flow. Psychological Science, 17, 214-221.

Salvucci, D.D., & Macuga, K.L. (2002). Predicting the effects of cellular-phone dialing on driver performance. Cognitive Systems Research, 3, 95-102.

Opportunities

Dr. Macuga is accepting PhD students, honors students, and undergraduate research assistants.

• Please click [https://liberalarts.oregonstate.edu/webform/carve-lab/positions-join-us] to fill out research assistant application.
  • Successful applicants who are majoring in psychology typically have completed stats and methods courses. Successful applicants majoring in computer science, engineering, or related fields typically have completed programming and/or 3D modeling coursework. Students should have interests in cognitive and/or perceptual psychology and need to be able to come to Corvallis to complete some of the lab-related tasks (though partial remote work options are available).