Nikol Figalová
I am a neuroergonomic researcher
focusing on human-machine interaction.
Department of Human Factors
Ulm University, Germany
ABOUT ME
Hi! My name is Nikol and I come from the Czech Republic. I am a research assistant and a PhD candidate at Ulm University in southern Germany.
I have a MSc degree in Psychology. I study human-machine interaction, currently focusing the interactions between drivers and automated vehicles. I am interested in neuroergonomics, human factors, and cognitive psychology.
My research is highly interdisciplinary and utilizes psychophysiological measures such as EEG, ECG, and eye-tracking, together with behavioural and self-reported measures.
I have outstanding experience with quantitative and qualitative research methods, advanced data analysis, signal processing, project management, and leadership of small teams. I have excellent communication and presentation skills, and plenty of soft skills originating from years of hands-on experience in international interdisciplinary research. .
My goal is to understand the cognitive processes underlying the human-machine interaction, and therefore contribute to the design of safe, user-centred, and efficient technological systems.
I love to take long walks with my dog.
PUBLICATIONS
Journal papers
- Figalová, N., Bieg, H.-J., Reiser, J. E., Liu, Y.-C., Baumann, M., Chuang, L., & Pollatos, O. (2023). From driver to supervisor: Comparing cognitive load and EEG-based attentional resource allocation across automation levels. International Journal of Human-Computer Studies. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijhcs.2023.103169
Open pdf - Figalová, N., Chuang, L. L., Pichen, J., Baumann, M., & Pollatos, O. (2022). Ambient Light Conveying Reliability Improves Drivers’ Takeover Performance without Increasing Mental Workload. Multimodal Technologies and Interaction, 6(9), 73. https://doi.org/10.3390/mti6090073
Open pdf - Liu, Y. C., Figalová, N., & Bengler, K. (2022). Transparency Assessment on Level 2 Automated Vehicle HMIs. Information, 13(10), 489. https://doi.org/10.3390/info13100489
Open pdf - Figalová, N., & Charvát, M. (2021). The perceived stress scale: Reliability and validity study in the Czech Republic. Ceskoslovenska Psychologie, 65(1), 46–59. https://doi.org/10.51561/cspsych.65.1.46
Open pdf
Conference papers
- Figalová, N., Pichen, J., Chandrayan, V., Pollatos, O., Chuang, L. L., & Baumann, M. (2023, September). Manipulating Drivers’ Mental Workload: Neuroergonomic Evaluation of the Speed Regulation N-Back Task Using NASA-TLX and Auditory P3a. In Adjunct Proceedings of the 15th International Conference on Automotive User Interfaces and Interactive Vehicular Applications (pp. 145-149). https://doi.org/10.1145/3581961.3609887
Open pdf - Figalová, N., Bieg, H.-J., Schulz, M., Pichen, J., Baumann, M., Chuang, L. L., & Pollatos, O. (2023). Fatigue and mental underload further pronounced in L3 conditionally automated driving: Results from an EEG experiment on a test track. 28th International Conference on Intelligent User Interfaces. https://doi.org/10.1145/3581754.3584133
Open pdf - Liu, Y. C., Figalová, N., Baumann, M., & Bengler, K. (2023). Human-Machine Interface Evaluation Using EEG in Driving Simulator. In 2023 IEEE Intelligent Vehicles Symposium (IV) (pp. 1-6). https://doi.org/10.1109/IV55152.2023.10186567
Open pdf - Pichen, J., Figalová, N., & Baumann, M. (2023). Safe Decision Or Collision? Using Natural Habituated Interfaces to Increase Traffic Safety. In 2023 IEEE Intelligent Vehicles Symposium (IV) (pp. 1-8). https://doi.org/10.1109/IV55152.2023.10186568
Open pdf - Liu, Y. C., Figalová, N., Pichen, J., Hock, P., Baumann, M., & Bengler, K. (2023). Workload Assessment of Human-Machine Interface: A Simulator Study with Psychophysiological Measures. Human Systems Engineering and Design (IHSED 2023): Future Trends and Applications, 112(112). https://doi.org/10.54941/ahfe1004172
Pdf available soon - Figalová, N., Pichen, J., L Chuang, L., Baumann, M., & Pollatos, O. (2022). System immersion of a driving simulator affects the oscillatory brain activity. Neuroergonomics and Cognitive Engineering. https://doi.org/10.54941/ahfe1001825
Open pdf - Pichen, J., Figalová, N., & Baumann, M. (2022). Should I stay or Should I go? Using a Cooperative Sneak Peek Interface in Highly Automated Vehicles. Human Factors and Systems Interaction. https://doi.org/10.54941/ahfe1002164
Open pdf - Figalová, N., Delp, A. L., Nick, A., Chuang, L. L., Baumann, M., & Pollatos, O. (2021). Alpha and Theta Power in Repeated Take-over Requests. 3rd Neuroergonomics conference. Munich, Germany. Available from https://neuroergonomicsconference.um.ifi.lmu.de/wp-content/uploads/submissions/197.pdf
Open pdf
Posters
- Figalová, N. & Bieg, H. J. (2022). How drivers allocate their attentional resources when operating an automated and manual vehicle: An EEG experiment. Project RUMBA Mid term meeting. Renningen, Germany.
Open poster - Pichen, J., Figalová, N., Pollatos, O., & Baumann, M. (2022). Increasing situation awareness through cooperative driving (poster). 7th International conference on traffic and transport psychology. Gothenburg, Sweeden.
Preprints
- Figalová, N., Silva, J., & Charvat, M. (2021). Psychometric Properties of the Perceived Stress Scale in an Adult Psychiatric Inpatient Sample. https://doi.org/10.13140/RG.2.2.26733.51685
Open pdf
RESUME
2023 – present
Research Assistant
Department of Human Factors, Faculty of Engineering, Computer Science and Psychology, Ulm University, Ulm, Germany
My research focuses on the cognitive states and processes underlying the interaction between humans and automated vehicles.
2020 – 2023
PhD Candidate
Deptartment of Clinical and Health Psychology, Faculty of Engineering, Computer Science and Psychology, Ulm University, Ulm, Germany
My position was part of the SHAPE-IT Marie Skłodowska-Curie Innovative Training Networks project funded by the Horizon 2020. My goal was to use neuroergonomic methods to deepen the understanding of the neural substrates of the driver-vehicle interaction.
2022 (June to September)
Intern
Robert Bosch GmbH, Department of Software Engineering & User Experience, Stuttgart, Germany
During my internship, I designed and conducted an EEG experiment on a test-track using a prototype automated vehicle.
2022 (January to March)
Visiting Researcher
Leibniz Research Centre for Working Environment and Human Factors (IfADo), Dortmund, Germany
As a visiting researcher, I established future collaboration with colleagues from IfADo. My stay was targeted to deepen my experimental design skills, signal processing, and quantitative data analysis.
2019 – 2020
Junior Research Assistant
Voice, Emotion & Speech Neuroscience Lab, Faculty of Psychology, University of Lisbon, Lisbon, Portugal
I worked as an assistant for several EEG studies focusing on emotional processing.
2017 – 2020
Research Assistant
Olomouc University Social Health Institute, Olomouc, Czech Republic; in collaboration with Oxford University’s Nuffield Department of Primary Care Health Sciences, Oxford, United Kingdom
I was part of the project Health Talk, which aims to provide balanced and accurate information, peer experience, and psychosocial support to people diagnosed with an illness. My tasks included transcription and proofreading of interviews, qualitative data analysis (One Sheet of Paper method), and copywriting texts for the website.
2016 – 2019
Master’s Degree in General Psychology
Deptartment of Psychology, Palacký University, Olomouc, Czech Republic
Master thesis: Translation and psychometric properties of the Czech version of the Perceived Stress Scale
2017 – 2018
Erasmus + Study Abroad
Faculty of Psychology, University of Lisbon, Lisbon, Portugal
2013 – 2016
Bachelor’s Degree in General Psychology
Deptartment of Psychology, Palacký University, Olomouc, Czech Republic
Bachelor thesis: Stress and health in demanding occupation
CONTACT
If you wish to contact me, please send me an email.
I will get back to you as soon as possible.