Abbas Moallem

Dr. Abbas Moallem is an Adjunct Professor in the Industrial & Systems Engineering Department at San José State University's College of Engineering, where he teaches Human Computer Interaction, Cybersecurity, Information Visualization, and Human Factors. He also serves as executive director of UX Experts and holds an adjunct position at California State University, East Bay. His professional activities include significant leadership roles in major academic conferences.

Education:

• Ph.D. in Ergonomics/Human Factors, University of Paris Nord (XIII), 1987
• M.S. in Ergonomics/Human Factors, University of Paris Nord (XIII), 1982
• M.S. in Biomechanics, University of Paris Val-de-Marne(XII), 1980
• B.A., University of Tehran, 1978

With over 30 years of experience in human factors, ergonomics, and human-computer interaction, Dr. Moallem's research focuses on the critical intersection between human behavior and cybersecurity. His work examines how interface design, terminology, and user experience impact security outcomes, with particular attention to making security mechanisms more usable and understandable. He has pioneered research in cybersecurity awareness, particularly among students and faculty, and investigates how human factors contribute to both vulnerabilities and solutions in cybersecurity contexts. His research extends to smart systems, AI interfaces, and the human elements in emerging technologies.

Dr. Moallem's publication record demonstrates a clear trajectory toward increasingly specialized work at the HCI-cybersecurity intersection. His recent articles and books focus on human factors analysis of cyberattacks, dashboard design for security visibility, terminology in security interfaces, and frameworks for understanding user behavior in security contexts. He has edited multiple conference proceedings specifically dedicated to HCI for Cybersecurity, Privacy, and Trust from 2019 through 2025, establishing this as a distinct and growing research domain.

Professional Leadership:

• Communication and Exposition Chair of HCI International and Applied Human Factors and Ergonomics International conferences
• Program Chair of HCI-CPT: International Conference on HCI for Cybersecurity, Privacy, and Trust
• Track Chair of Human Factors in Cybersecurity at AHFEI conferences
• Editorial board member for multiple professional journals

Dr. Moallem has translated his academic expertise into practical applications through his consultancy work. He has served as a senior engineering product manager and usability expert at NETGEAR, and as a UI Architect at PeopleSoft and Oracle Corporation. His industry experience spans over 11 years at companies including Tumbleweed and Axway, where he applied human factors principles to real-world technology products. He has consulted across diverse industries in Europe, Canada, and the USA, bridging the gap between academic research and practical implementation.

His laboratory and team activities center around UX Experts, his consultancy organization, and the academic communities he helps lead through conference organization and editorial work. Through these channels, he fosters collaboration between researchers and practitioners working at the intersection of human factors and cybersecurity.