Dr. Jessica M. Johnson is a Research Assistant Professor and Director of the Applied Cognitive Engineering and Simulation Lab (ACES Lab) for the Virginia Digital Maritime Center housed within Old Dominion University’s Office of Enterprise Research and Innovation. Her research expertise spans cognitive ergonomics and cognitive engineering, with a focus on the design, evaluation, and validation of simulation-based training technologies for K12 through industry (K-Gray).
Her work examines how people think, adapt, and collaborate in high-stakes, uncertain, and industrially complex environments, and how simulation and extended reality (XR) technologies can be engineered to better support decision-making, skill transfer, and human performance. She integrates joint cognitive systems, macrocognition, and human-autonomy teaming frameworks with advanced methods such as eye tracking, motion capture, physiological monitoring, and digital training twins to capture expertise and cognitive workload in training environments.
Dr. Johnson’s research strategy bridges foundational cognitive science and human factors psychology with applied research in domains such as maritime, manufacturing, skilled trades, and defense. She leads projects that explore the role of cognitive modeling, adaptive automation, and multimodal data analysis in creating the next generation of training systems. Her work not only addresses the challenges of expertise development and negative training effects but also informs the design of human-centered Industry 5.0 systems that emphasize resilience, adaptability, and collaboration between humans and intelligent technologies.
As Director of ACES Lab, she mentors undergraduate and graduate students, fostering interdisciplinary collaborations across academia, industry, and government. Her vision is to advance a long-term research portfolio that builds toward internationally recognized contributions in human performance, simulation design, and cognitive engineering research, with broad impact across workforce development, safety-critical training, and technology-enhanced learning systems.
M.S. Human Factors Psychology, *2025
Embry-Riddle Aeronautics University, Daytona Beach, FL
Ph.D. in Educational Psychology, 2022
Regent University, Virginia Beach, VA
Ed.S in Educational Psychology, 2020
Regent University, Virginia Beach, VA
M.Ed. in Educational Psychology, 2013
Edinboro University, Edinboro, PA
M.Ed. in Education/Curriculum Instruction, 2007
Regent University, Virginia Beach, VA
B.S. in Cognitive Psychology, 2005
Edinboro University, Edinboro, PA
While a graduate student enrolled at Edinboro University, Dr. Johnson utilized instructional design principles to measure participants metacognitive processes in preservice educators.
In a partnership with Newport News Public Schools and Newport News Shipbuilding, building an immersive website pertaining to 10 key Digital shipbuilding areas to target maritime content, STEM careers, VDOE computer science standards, and real-world connections to the maritime industry. Project includes gamified and interactive simulations for users to explore.
Design and development of an open-source, interactive web platform to expose and engage regional middle schools in maritime exploration. Project is grounded in evidenced-based principles of learner experience design and learning sciences to engage students through modeling and simulation technologies for learning: online, interactive 360 environments, 3D models for complex and abstract concepts, hands-on projects featuring no technology and technology (3D printing, CNC, etc.). Partnerships and collaborations through regional school divisions, Hampton Roads Workforce Council, Newport News Shipbuilding, and Virginia Ship Repair Association. Funded by Blue Forge Alliance, Submarine Industrial Base
Spaced repetition models for learning and training in virtual reality, designed specifically for language acquisition. Applied research on contextualized learning environments and cognitive load theory in language acquisition. Partnership with York County Schools. Funded by Department of Defense Education Activities (DoDEA).
Enhancement of current skilled trades training courses to embed modeling and simulation technologies for QED, TCC STA, and NCI. An online Pipefitter course will be developed and launched to QED and TCC STA, welding simulators to be embedded in QED’s welding course, and a Fiber Optics course will be designed by industry to be utilized at QED, TCC STA, and NCI. Aspects of embedded research will be to investigate the design of cognitive models of expertise and multimodal and multisensory models of simulation that can inform future designs of simulation-based training for skilled trades training. Funded by Go Virginia.
Integrative modeling and simulation technology development for maritime training. Collaborated with the Virginia Ship Repair Association and Tidewater Community College’s Skilled Trades Academy to design and develop modeling and simulation technology tools to enhance the MTT Level 1 Pipefitter course. After analysis of content and curriculum, feedback from instructors, and students a gap emerged in the knowledge to skill transfer in reading/understanding 2D blueprints and the utilization of math/measurement in Pipefitting trade. A 3D model of a blueprint was designed and deployed. A 3D printed, hands-on mockup was designed and deployed. An augmented reality inspection app was designed and deployed for the instructor to inspect the physical mockup. An initial iteration of a virtual reality module was designed for immersive exploration of the 3D model. Applied research in the design of andragogical digital twins for training.
Assisting regional school divisions in connecting advanced manufacturing equipment to CTE courses and maritime careers. To date over 400 10th and 11th grade students have learned how to safely operate the 3D printers, desktop CNC machines, and robotics equipment provided to eleven schools in Newport News, Hampton, Norfolk, Portsmouth, Suffolk, and Chesapeake. The team utilized schools’ CTE instructors integrating their feedback to design MTM online learning platform, resources, and aligned projects. Additionally, the MTM project has partnered with the New Horizons Regional Education Center, the Brooks Crossing Innovation Lab, and the City of Norfolk’s Parks and Recreation Department to offer summer programs. The project ended 2/29/2024. Additional funding was secured through Blue Forge Alliance.
Smith, K., Johnson, J., Bothel, T. “Leveraging a STEM Ecosystem to Promote Connections throughout the Maritime Workforce Pipeline.” International Journal of Technology in Education. (2019)
Johnson, J. (2019). Neuroscience of STEMgagement: Leveraging STEM Learning Ecosystems. Virginia Military Institute STEM Conference, Lexington VA
Johnson, J., Bothel, T., & Smith, K. (2019). Charting the course: Integrating advanced learning Technologies to motivate STEM maritime career pathways. International Conference on Social and Education Sciences, Denver CO.
Johnson, J. (2019). STEM Workforce of the Future. Norfolk Naval Shipyard, STEM Conference. Norfolk, VA.
Johnson, J. (2008- 2013). Integrating STEM within experiential learning paradigms. Suffolk Public Schools Annual Professional Development Series. Suffolk, Va..
Diaz, R., Smith, K., Johnson, J. (2020). Shipbuilding supply chain framework and digital transformation: A project portfolios risk evaluation.
Kosteczko, J., Smith, K., Johnson, J., Diaz, R. “Virginia Digital Shipbuilding Program (VDSP) Building an agile modern workforce to improve performance in the shipbuilding and ship repair industry.” Proceedings of the 2020 ASEE Annual Conference & Exposition. Montréal, Quebec, Canada, June 21-24, 2020.
