Biography Ms. Brooks has extensive experience in basic and applied research and
development related to human factors engineering, physiology, and psychology.
She has a diverse background in applied industrial ergonomics. Some of
her endeavors include work for: the utility industry (particularly, the
nuclear industry), postal workers, the Department of Justice, the automotive,
rubber and plastics, paper, textiles, electronics, aeronautical and food
processing industries as well as numerous other commercial, manufacturing,
and government agencies. Currently, she is the human factors lead for the vitrification plant proposed by BNFL Inc. to the Department of Energy. The plant, which in essence is comprised of 5 physical facilities, is in the early design process and she supports this work through the development of pertinent human factors and ergonomics design guides and implementation plans. She participates with project groups such as operations, engineering, control and instrumentation through taking part in Integrated Safety Management (ISM) processes and control strategy development. Evaluation of human interfaces, particularly operations and maintenance, is an ongoing and iterative process through the evolutions of design development. Her goal is to reduce the possibility of human error through the implementation of good human factors practice while ensuring regulatory compliance. Most recently, she was responsible for the human factors aspects of the design of the control rooms for two new nuclear reactors for Taiwan Power Company as a Senior Human Factors Engineer assigned to General Electric Nuclear Energy. She was involved in Graphical User Interface (GUI) and usability studies. She served as the lead engineer on the control room drawings, verification of implementation plans, served on Six Sigma committees and also, contributed to the mock-up upgrades in addition to being responsible for the Remote Shutdown Panels. She has made contributions to efforts conducted by the Air Force Medical Research Laboratories, which included studying the effects of G forces, transcutaneous blood gas analysis, spinal dynamics, basic mechanisms of attention and learning, as well as vision research. She has authored many presentations and publications. She has written and presented numerous training programs. She is recognized for her work related to workplace issues such as workplace violence, shift-work, and cumulative trauma disorders. She is a nationally and regionally known speaker and has made many talks related to solving workplace issues related to productivity, quality, and ergonomics. She has served in the Air National Guard as an Aeromedical Specialist and as an officer in the Air Force Reserves. She has performed additional duty serving the Civil Air Patrol. Currently she is a member of the United States Power Squadron (USPS) and participates in the National Geodetic Surveys Cooperative Station Recovery Program.
Environmental Restoration Advisory Board Wright Patterson AFB - (Chairperson);
Her professional affiliations include the Human Factors and Ergonomics Society and the American Society of Safety Engineers (ASSE). Certified as Sacramento I Wastewater Treatment Operator. Ms. Brooks has 19 years of experience in a wide range of major industries, government, and commercial ventures. These include automotive, rubber and plastics, textiles, food processing, electronics, utilities (particularly nuclear), construction, aeronautical, and public services. Some of the organizations and agencies she supported include: Air Force Aerospace Medical Research Labs
Human Factors Engineering Generally these projects resulted in the successful resolution of concerns and situations that had historically resisted conclusion. Specifically, these included: Management of programs geared toward regulatory compliance (NRC, OSHA,
EPA) Project completion resulted in: Regulatory Compliance
The following is a partial list of topics researched, documented, and presented in the form of seminars, workshops, presentations, and formal training programs. Generally, most of the topics are related to ergonomic, safety, and environmental issues. Accident Management Formal Education Masters of Arts Business Management McGregor School Antioch University
Significant Accomplishments and Awards Received the Secretary of the Air Force Crystal of Excellence
Her hobbies and other activities include: boating - power and sailing, camping, skiing (snow and water), certified scuba diver, volksmarching, golf, ballroom dancing, gourmet cooking, theater, jazz and blues, as well as old rock n' roll. She won the ping pong championship in undergraduate school. She is very active in the community and serves on several boards as well as volunteering for a number of charitable and nonprofit organizations and causes. For example, through her Rotary club, she volunteered at the YMCA camp where she built bunk beds and picnic tables and she also delivered Meals On Wheels for shut-in elderly citizens and coordinates activities (e.g., awards banquets etc.) for Partners in Reading. She also did volunteer work for the Heritage Theatre as well as the San Jose Chamber Music Society, where she was recently recognized for her contributions. She has a 28-year-old son of whom she is inordinately proud. In addition of being an avid fish hobbyist, she adopts very large breed dogs (Great Pyrenees) and belongs to the Great Pyrenees Society. Until her recent assignment in Washington, she was a docent (Interpretative Naturalist) at Californias Ano Nuevo State Reserve introducing the public to the unique aspects of the Reserve, including: the geology, archaeology, history, marine and terrestrial wild life, especially the elephant seals as well as marine and terrestrial birds and the flora and fauna. For the last 19 years she had traveled extensively - coast to coast and border to border, working in 32 of the United States. She has worked in 30% of the online nuclear plants in the United States. Her international travel experiences in Austria, Israel, South Korea, Taiwan Singapore, Hong Kong and Mainland China as well as Canada and Mexico have given her a deep appreciation for cultural richness. |