Research Interests

Visual Attention & Perception, Information Visualization, Perceptual Organization

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Education

Northwestern University, Evanston, IL - 2018

Ph.D. in Cognitive Psychology

Advisor: Steven Franconeri, Ph.D.

Dissertation: Visual selection in data visualizations

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Northwestern University, Evanston, IL - 2014

M.S. in Cognitive Psychology

Advisor: Steven Franconeri, Ph.D.

Thesis: Rapid feature-selection benefits from feature redundancy

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UC Berkeley, Berkeley, CA - 2009

B.A., Psychology (Honors); Minor in Anthropology

Advisor: Stephen Palmer, Ph.D.

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Select Research Experience

Visual Thinking Laboratory, Northwestern University, Evanston, IL - 2012 - Present

Graduate Student Researcher, Advisor: Steven Franconeri, Ph.D.

• Designed, programmed, implemented, and analyzed data from laboratory experiments to investigate how to improve data visualizations.

• Used psychophysical methods and eye-tracking to test >300 experimental participants.

• Developed and implemented research protocols in collaboration with computer scientists at UW Madison (4 years) and Tableau (2 years).

• Novel findings: 1) Attention to a collection of objects is more efficient when those objects differ from other (irrelevant) objects within multiple feature dimensions, such as color and shape, than when they differ by only one feature, such as only color or shape; 2) Perception of relationships between data points in common graph formats is strikingly inefficient, but improves significantly when the those data relationships are directly represented (e.g., a single bar representing the difference between data value pairs, rather than a bar for each data point); 3) The human visual system can perceive and remember up to ~4 peaks in a line chart.

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Cognitive Neuropsychology Laboratory, UC Berkeley, Berkeley, CA - 2010 - 2012

Post Bachelor Study / Lab Manager, Advisor: Lynn C. Robertson, Ph.D.

• Managed large electroencephalography (EEG) study by coordinating testing with international collaborators, testing participants, and analyzing data.

• Collaborated on study of large group of post-stroke patients, tested patients in hospital setting, prepared data for analysis, and maintained database.

• Supported principal investigator and lab members with daily administrative and technical assistance across two lab sites.

• Novel findings: People who are better at recognizing faces tend to have earlier-occurring N-170 event-related potentials in response to faces (rather than objects), suggesting that the sooner the visual system detects the stimulus category (i.e., face or object), the more efficient is the encoding of information that distinguishes individual faces for later recall.

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Related Professional Experience

VISxVISION, visxvision.com - 2017 - Present

Founder

• Founded an initiative to increase communication and collaboration between vision science and data visualization research communities.

• Managed organization of 2 conference symposia and 3 meet-up events. These events promoted research at the intersection of vision science and visualization, discussed future collaboration between the two fields, and provided a space for networking.

• Maintained social media and a Slack chat channel to encourage cross-disciplinary communication.

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ISL Consulting (now ClearMetrics), San Francisco, CA - 2009 - 2010

Associate Web Producer

• Managed development of websites by working closely with cross-functional team to ensure completion of milestones, creating Drupal and HTML content, and testing all projects’ functionality.

• Supported clients (including Chevron and Questcor Pharmaceuticals) by maintaining websites, and determining and implementing interface changes to facilitate easier navigation.

 

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Publications

• Nothelfer, C., Gleicher, M., & Franconeri, S. L. (2017). Redundant encoding strengthens segmentation and grouping in visual displays of data. Journal of Experimental Psychology: Human Perception and Performance, 43(9), 1667. [PDF]

• Gleicher, M., Correll, M., Nothelfer, C., & Franconeri, S. L. (2013). Perception of Average Value in Multiclass Scatterplots. IEEE Transactions on Visualization and Computer Graphics, 19(12), 2316-2325. [PDF]

• Cutting, J. E., DeLong, J. E. & Nothelfer, C. E. (2010) Attention and the evolution of Hollywood Film. Psychological Science, 21(3), 432-439. [PDF]

• Nothelfer, C., DeLong, J. E. & Cutting, J. E. (2009) Shot structure in Hollywood film. Indiana Undergraduate Journal of Cognitive Science, 4, 103-113. [PDF]

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Publications in Preparation

• Nothelfer, C., & Franconeri, S. L. (under review). Encoding Deltas Improves Data Pair Relation Perception.

• Nothelfer, C., & Franconeri, S. L. (in preparation). Perceptual Grouping of Data Pair Encodings.

• Nothelfer, C., Gleicher, M., & Franconeri, S. L. (in preparation). Redundant Encoding Speeds Up Segmentation in Visual Displays of Data.

• Nothelfer, C., Lam, H., & Franconeri, S. L. (in preparation). Magic Number 4 in Line Charts.

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Conference Presentations

• Cianciotto, A., Nothelfer, C., & Franconeri, S. Does Retinal or Perceived Space Guide Eye Movements? Poster presentation at the Northwestern University Undergraduate Research and Arts Exposition, Evanston, Illinois (May, 2018). [PDF]

• Nothelfer, C., & Franconeri S. L. Visual Processing of Spatial Relations Within and Between Objects. Poster presentation at the Vision Sciences Society Annual Meeting, St. Pete Beach, Florida (May, 2018). [PDF]

• Nothelfer, C. Vision Science in Visualization. Invited talk given at Northwestern University’s Computational Research Day, Evanston, Illinois (April, 2018).

• Nothelfer, C. & Franconeri S. L. Ranking encodings for efficient perceptual processing of data relations. Poster presentation at IEEE VIS, Phoenix, Arizona (October, 2017). [PDF]

• Nothelfer, C. How do humans read line charts? Talk at the ‘Vision Science at InfoVis’ meet-up at IEEE VIS, Phoenix, Arizona (October, 2017).

• Nothelfer, C., Gleicher, M. & Franconeri S. L. Rapid Feature-Selection Benefits from Feature Redundancy. Invited talk at the Information Visualization Research Meet and Greet satellite event at the Vision Sciences Society Annual Meeting, St. Pete Beach, Florida (May, 2017).

• Nothelfer, C. & Franconeri S. L. Visual Search Through Displays of Data. Poster presentation at the Vision Sciences Society Annual Meeting, St. Pete Beach, Florida (May, 2017). [PDF]

• Nothelfer, C., Gleicher, M. & Franconeri S. L. Redundant Coding Can Speed Up Segmentation in Multiclass Displays. Poster presentation at IEEE VIS, Baltimore, Maryland (October, 2016). [Poster, Abstract, Video]

• Nothelfer, C. & Franconeri S. L. Feature Redundancy Benefits in Different Attentional Modes. Poster presentation at the Vision Sciences Society Annual Meeting, St. Pete Beach, Florida (May, 2016). [PDF]

• Nothelfer, C., Gleicher, M. & Franconeri S. L. Redundant Coding Can Improve Segmentation in Multiclass Displays. Poster presentation at IEEE VIS, Chicago, Illinois (October, 2015). [Poster, Abstract, Handout, Video]

• Nothelfer, C., Suzuki, S. & Franconeri S. L. Hemifield-specific resources for controlling apparent motion. Poster presentation at the Vision Sciences Society Annual Meeting, St. Pete Beach, Florida (May, 2015).

• Nothelfer, C., Gleicher, M. & Franconeri S. L. Rapid feature-selection benefits from feature redundancy. Poster presentation at the Vision Sciences Society Annual Meeting, St. Pete Beach, Florida (May, 2014). [PDF]

• Nothelfer, C., Gleicher, M. & Franconeri S. L. Rapid feature-selection benefits from feature redundancy. Talk given at the Cognitive Neuroscience and Cognitive Brain Mapping Group Data Blitz, Chicago, Illinois (May, 2014).

• Cutting, J., Delong, J. and Nothelfer, C. The Evolution of Shot Structure in Hollywood Film. Talk given at Psychonomic Society Annual Meeting, Boston, Massachusetts (November, 2009).

• Nothelfer, C., Schloss, K. B. & Palmer, S. E. The role of spatial composition in preference for color pairs. Poster presentation at the Vision Sciences Society Annual Meeting, Naples, Florida (May, 2009). [PDF]

• Nothelfer, C., DeLong, J. E. & Cutting, J. E. Shot structure in Hollywood film. Talk given at the Leadership Alliance National Symposium Annual Meeting, Hartford, Connecticut (July, 2008).

• Gardner, J. S., Fowlkes, C., Nothelfer, C. & Palmer, S. E. Exploring aesthetic principles in spatial composition through stock photography. Poster presentation at the Vision Sciences Society Annual Meeting, Naples, Florida (May, 2008). [PDF]

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Invited Talks & Panels

Data Analyst User Group (invited talk), Chicago Public Schools - 2017

• Taught data visualization best practices to data scientists and data analysts.

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Evaluating Evidence (invited talk), Northwestern University - 2017

• Led an Excel Pivot Table and data analysis workshop for cognitive science undergraduate students.

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Designing Product Interactions (invited talk), Northwestern University - 2017

• Taught engineering graduate seminar how visual perception and attention influence product interaction design

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Advancement of Research Expertise Series (invited talk), Northwestern University - 2017

• Led a workshop on Excel Pivot Tables for psychology graduate students.

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Advancement of Research Expertise Series (invited talk), Northwestern University - 2015

• Led a workshop on Excel Pivot Tables for psychology graduate students.

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Honors Thesis Seminar (panelist), UC Berkeley - 2011

• Spoke to the Honors Thesis Seminar about personal experience with completing an honors thesis.

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Psychology Research Workshop (panelist), UC Berkeley - 2011

• Spoke to undergraduate students about my undergraduate and professional research experience in a workshop hosted by the UC Berkeley Psychology Student Services Office.

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Skills

• Programming: Matlab & Psychophysics Toolbox, Experiment Builder, R (basic knowledge); HTML

• Data Collection / Analysis: SPSS, MS Office (Excel, Word, Powerpoint), BioSemi recording software, Brain Vision Analyzer (EEG/ERP); EyeLink eyetracker, Data Viewer (Eyetracking)

• Graphics: Illustrator, Photoshop, Fireworks

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Honors and Awards

• NSF Graduate Research Fellowship ($159,400) - 2014 - 2017

• NIMH fellow, University of California, Davis ERP Bootcamp - 2013

• NIH fellow, University of Michigan Summer fMRI Training Course - 2013

• NSF AGEP Conference Travel Award, Northwestern University ($1,300) - 2013

• NSF Graduate Research Fellowship, Honorable Mention - 2013

• Cognitive Science Fellowship, Northwestern University ($29,000) - 2012 - 2013

• Honors Thesis in Psychology, UC Berkeley - 2009

• Associated Students of the UC, Academic Opportunity Fund Award, UCB ($200) - 2009

• Psi Chi, National Honors Society in Psychology - 2007 - Present

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Teaching & Mentoring Experience

Niles West Mentoring Program, NU - 2016 - Present

High School Student Mentor

• Mentored two Niles West High School students in completing a science fair project and presentation.

 

Visual Thinking Laboratory, NU - 2013 - Present

Undergraduate Research Assistant Mentor

• Supervised and mentored 6 research assistants: skills taught include behavioral and eye-tracking data collection, Experiment Builder programming, data analysis, and publication writing.

 

Visual Communication for Persuasion, Kellogg School of Management, NU - Spring 2017

Graduate Teaching Assistant

 

Visual Communication for Persuasion, Kellogg School of Management, NU - Spring 2016

Graduate Teaching Assistant

 

Presenting Data & Ideas, Psychology, NU - Winter 2016

Graduate Teaching Assistant

 

Visual Communication for Persuasion, Kellogg School of Management, NU - Spring 2015

Graduate Teaching Assistant, led workshop on Excel Pivot Tables

 

The Psychology of Visual Communication, Psychology, NU - Winter 2015

Graduate Teaching Assistant

 

Perception, Psychology, NU - Fall 2013

Graduate Teaching Assistant

 

Statistical Methods in Psychology, Psychology, NU - Spring 2013

Graduate Teaching Assistant

 

Cognitive Neuropsychology Laboratory, UCB - 2010 - 2012

Undergraduate Research Assistant Mentor

• Supervised and mentored 3 research assistants: skills taught include behavioral data collection, data analysis, and publication writing.

• Trained 6 research assistants to collect EEG data.

 

 

Journal & Conference Referee Service

• Journal of Experimental Psychology: Human Perception and Performance

• IEEE Transactions on Visualization and Computer Graphics

• IEEE VIS Conference

• Eurographics Conference on Visualization

• Color Research and Application

 

Service and Community Involvement

Illinois Science Council - 2013 - Present

Volunteer

• Helped organize & participated in annual fundraiser (4 total).

• Explained how the human visual system works to adult attendees through science demos.

 

“Your Brain” Talk Series - 2014

Organizer

• Organized 3 free, public talks about the brain in collaboration with the Illinois Science Council.

 

Brain Awareness Day - 2013, 2016

Volunteer

• Participated in event that engaged K-8 students with interactive activities demonstrating how the brain works.

 

Association of Psychology Undergraduates Mentoring Program - 2009

Mentor

• Guided a psychology-intended undergraduate through the psychology department and obtaining research experience.

 

Psychology Student Services - 2008 - 2009

Peer Advisor

• Mentored undergraduate students in finding research and choosing classes.

• Led a workshop on obtaining an undergraduate summer research internship and a workshop on the Senior Honors Thesis.

 

Association of Psychology Undergraduates (APU) - 2008 - 2009

President

• Facilitated the execution of academic, professional, community service & social activities, and coordinated events with various clubs & organization representatives.

• Tripled club funds and number of club events held.

• Founded the APU Mentoring Program, which matches psychology-intended students with undergraduate psychology students.

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