Tristan’s early mentors inspired his pursuit of a graduate degree. He graduated from Iowa State University, where his undergraduate research focused on modeling heavy machinery operators to estimate training time for significant interface changes. Broad design experiences, including tractor cabs at John Deere and tolerant nuclear reactors at Idaho National Lab revealed significant risks wherever machines and people mix. Tristan joined Morpheus lab to give machines improved awareness of their operators. In his free time, he plays classical guitar, perfects cornbread pancakes, and contemplates the evolutionary mysteries of the mantis shrimp.

Quantum Approaches to Cognitive Modeling

As autonomous systems becoming increasingly capable, it becomes increasingly difficult to keep the human in the loop. This Autonomy Conundrum will be the limiting factor preventing widescale deployment of autonomous systems. Finding new ways to provide the system with information of the operator is a widely explored topic. At Morpheus lab, we believe the inherent mathematical structure of quantum dynamics is well suited to modeling human cognition. Using biofeedback, especially EEG, this research seeks to develop algorithms that measure human state in real time, grounded in quantum principles. Outcomes include autonomous systems that team more effectively with their operators.