Nikita Rajendra Sharma

Nikita Rajendra Sharma is a Scientific Associate in the Stress & Work Design group within the Department of Ergonomics at the Leibniz Research Centre for Working Environment and Human Factors (IfADo) in Dortmund, Germany, where she has served as a PhD student and research associate since November 2020 under Prof. Dr. Edmund Wascher.

Her academic foundation includes:

• Master of Philosophy in Planning and Development (2016-2019) from Indian Institute of Technology Bombay, focusing on prospective memory in driving behavior
• Master of Arts in Psychology (2010-2012) from Banaras Hindu University
• Bachelor of Arts (Hons. Psychology) (2007-2010) from Banaras Hindu University

Sharma's research integrates cognitive psychology with real-world transportation safety, examining how stressors and work design impact driver performance through psychophysiological methods. Her work specifically investigates attentional mechanisms during critical driving tasks like lane changes and freight train operations, emphasizing the role of prospective memory and irrelevant information processing in accident prevention. This human-centered approach bridges laboratory findings with practical ergonomic solutions for high-risk transportation environments.

Her publication record reveals a concentrated focus on cognitive ergonomics in transportation systems, with recent work analyzing psychosocial hazards in rail operations and attentional demands during automotive maneuvers. These studies collectively advance understanding of how cognitive load and environmental stressors compromise safety in complex driving scenarios.

Scientific recognition includes:

• Institute Fellowship Awardee at IIT Bombay (2017-2018)

Sharma contributes to the Stress & Work Design team's mission of optimizing human-system interactions in occupational settings, with current research examining psychosocial risk factors in transportation industries. While she previously served as a teaching assistant at IIT Bombay, no current advising or grant leadership roles are documented in available materials.