Human Factors Behavioral Research & Design
"Small Team Agility, Large Company Quality"

OUR SERVICES
HFCSI provides a wide range of verification and validation services including (but not limited to):
- Gap Analysis
- Expert Heuristic Analysis
- Formative Testing
- Summative and Actual Use Testing
- Prototype Testing and Down-Selection
- Ethnographic Research
- Marketing Research and HF Testing Integrated!
- Post-Market Evaluation
- IFU Development and Testing
- Other needs? Contact us!
Gap Analysis
Evaluation of your product’s current design and documentation, and identification of any missing components needed to meet FDA and International standards. HFCSI can then specify a complete road map for providing all HF requirements needed for a successful submission.
Expert Heuristic Analysis
This is a fast, inexpensive way to determine major design issues before performing costly studies. HFCSI uses a mix of standard and proprietary techniques to produce this precision snapshot summarizing issues likely to result in critical use errors or significant usability problems.
Formative Testing
Exploratory and targeted studies to guide development and prepare you for validation. HFCSI’s capabilities include any testing needed, from early market explorations to pre-Summative “dress rehearsals”. We specialize in providing you with design-relevant data presentations.
Summative and Actual Use Testing
Comprehensive validation testing provides evidence for submission to the FDA and EU. HFCSI can handle all aspects of test design, recruitment, data collection, statistical testing and root cause analyses.
Prototype Testing and Down-Selection
Customized testing to evaluate the relative performance and/or preference of alternative designs your team is considering. Provides invaluable insights to guide early development.
Ethnographic Research
We can test completed products or advanced product prototypes in the field where users would use, or are currently using, your product. Both end users and/or HCPs can be studied.
Marketing Research and HF Testing Integrated!
HFCSI can perform early market studies or post-launch evaluations. We also offer unique combinations of marketing-oriented research with usability studies or human factors heuristic or performance studies. A blend of our techniques can provide important cross-functional insights.
Post-Market Evaluation
Gathering intelligence on how your product is performing in the field provides insights to guide future development. Methodologies are customized for each client depending on your specific objectives (e.g., to address known pain points, conduct general assessments of user
groups, gather subjective insights, compare international to domestic markets, etc.)
IFU Development and Testing
IFUs (Instructions for Use) are crucial for successful products & FDA submissions. Are your IFUs designed at the end of development? Is your IFU production not user-centric (most are not!)? Are you experiencing a delayed approval due to an ineffective IFU? If any of these questions sound familiar, contact us to discuss our Task-Driven IFU® devlopment and testing service.
Have "Other" HF/UX Needs?
Feel free to contact us to discuss your needs.
OUR EXPERIENCE
Since our inception in 2006, HFCSI has:
- Worked on a diverse array of medical products for 50+ clients, across a variety of disease states and user populations
- Conducted over 250 explorative and formative studies and 50 summative validation studies
- Had no FDA rejections of our HF validation studies since our founding
Recent Projects
Pen injectors, Autoinjectors,
& On-Body Injectors

Multiple device formats for therapies including rare conditions (e.g. hemophilia, HGH, PAH, etc.)
Digital Health Apps
& Mobile Connectivity

Mobile app development integrated with legacy devices, state of the art devices, enterprise systems and cloud-based data analysis
Glucose Sensors
(CGM)

UX requirements, complete UI design, prototype down-selection, life-cycle HF research
Mechanical
Ventilators

Validation for updates to legacy devices and next generation touchscreen ventilators
HCP Informatics
& Dynamic Displays

System design: from concept development through final validation testing
Hospital Monitoring
Devices

System Design: from user requirements through design verification
Smart Infusion Pumps
for Hospital Use

Requirements definition, UI development, controllers and durables, V&V testing
Ultrasound & Multi-Format
Viewing Stations

New product development, field evaluation in complex clinical environments
Some Recent Clients
Amgen
Breathe Technologies
Carefusion
DEKA
eVent Medical
Genentech
iCare USA
ICU Medical
IMT Medical
Medtronic Diabetes
Medtronic Cardiac & Vascular
Novo Nordisk
Novo Nordisk Engineering
Owlet
Philips Medical Systems
Roche
RxSight
SetPoint Medical
Stuart Karten Design
Timpel
United Therapeutics
Recent User Populations
Anemia
Ankylosing Spondylitis
Cancer and chemo complications
Cardiovascular Diseases
COPD
Crohn’s Disease
Diabetes
Glaucoma
High Cholesterol
ITP
Juvenile Idiopathic Arthritis
Migraine
Neurological conditions
Noonan Syndrome
Plaque Psoriasis
Psoriatic Arthritis
Pulmonary Arterial Hypertension
Respiratory conditions
Rheumatoid Arthritis
SGA
Turner Syndrome
Ulcerative Colitis
Where We've Worked
We go to the user population! Our projects have taken us all over the world; across the United States, throughout Europe, as well as Asia and Australia.



ABOUT US
What you should know about our company:
- HFCSI was founded in 2006 in Los Angeles, California and operates in the U.S., Europe, Asia, and Australia
- Our team members have Master’s or Ph.D. level training in HF psychology, engineering and advanced research methods
- To date, we have conducted usability testing with a total of 3,000+ users world-wide…and counting!
- We cover HF/Usability needs in all phases of medical product development
- Our specialists can integrate seamlessly with your cross functional teams
- HFCSI adapts to tightening deadlines or changing requirements
- Our team maintains high standards of quality, service and on-time delivery
- We have a proven 12 year track record of successful performance
Our Core Team
Mike Kasamanian
President
Mike Kasamanian
President
Mike Kasamanian is President at HFCSI and provides expertise in the areas of Human Factors and Technology application. He holds a M.A. degree in Human Factors Applied Psychology and is a certified Quality Function Deployment (QFD) Green Belt. He is an active member of the Human Factors and Ergonomics Society (HFES) and the Association for the Advancement of Medical Instrumentation (AAMI). Mike's expertise includes the following domains: Voice-of-Customer research, User Requirements, Wireframing, Hardware User Interface Design, Rapid Prototyping of Electromechanical devices, FDA verification/validation testing, K-12 instruction, Field Robotics, Multimedia Systems, Acoustic Analysis, and project management.Tyler Blake
Chief Scientist & Founding Principal
Tyler Blake
Chief Scientist & Founding Principal
Tyler Blake is Chief Scientist and Founding Principal at HFCSI. He has over 30 years of experience as a consultant to Fortune 500 companies, senior executive, innovative systems designer, University professor and entrepreneur. Tyler has helped pioneer the application of human factors to medical systems over the past 20 years, trained over 200 human factors specialists at the master's level and served as senior vice president of product design for Philips. He holds a Ph.D. in human factors from North Carolina State University.Zachary Chesler
Research Director
Zachary Chesler
Research Director
Zachary Chesler is Research Director at HFCSI and has over fifteen years experience as a user experience designer and usability researcher. As a specialist in this field, he has worked on projects across several industries including medical/healthcare, training/education, automotive, entertainment, energy management, and digital publishing. Since 2010, Zachary's primary focus has been in the healthcare space, with a specialization in the design and evaluation of medical devices, software, and mobile apps. Zachary earned his Bachelor's degree from University of California, Santa Barbara and a Master's Degree in Human Factors Applied Psychology from California State University, Northridge.Wei-Ting Xie
Principal Human Factors Consultant
Wei-Ting Xie
Principal Human Factors Consultant
Wei-Ting Xie is the Principal Human Factors Consultant at HFCSI and has over 10 years of experience in medical Human Factors. She has expertise in leading and designing human factors research, conducting human factors analyses, developing user requirements, and wireframing / prototyping. Wei-Ting holds a master’s degree in Human Factors and Applied Psychology from California State University, Northridge. In her spare time, she enjoys hiking and is an avid crafter who loves all projects “DIY."Leah Gudiel
Sr. Human Factors Consultant
Leah Gudiel
Sr. Human Factors Consultant
Leah Gudiel is a Senior Human Factors Consultant with experience in software usability evaluations, concept sketches, flow charts, task analysis and usability testing. She holds a Bachelor's Degree in Graphic Design and a Master's Degree in Human Factors & Applied Psychology. Her background in design helps in optimizing prototypes in the creative process to receive the best feedback from potential customers. She enjoys attending music festivals, wine tastings, and exploring faraway countries.Veronica Mendez
Sr. Human Factors Consultant
Veronica Mendez
Sr. Human Factors Consultant
Veronica Mendez is a Senior Human Factors Consultant with a demonstrated history in working with the design of university websites, various application software and medical devices. She is skilled in wireframing, persona development, user needs requirements, protocol development, usability testing (both formative and summative), data analysis and report writing. Veronica graduated cum laude from California State University, Northridge with a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Psychology (minor in Ethnic Studies). Veronica went on to earn a Master of Arts Degree in Human Factors and Applied Psychology from California State University, Northridge.Jet Boden
Sr. Human Factors Consultant
Jet Boden
Sr. Human Factors Consultant
Jet Boden is a Senior Human Factors Consultant with over five years experience in medical device usability and validation testing, interview facilitation, data analysis and project management. With a strong talent for process development, Jet has accumulated over 15 years of usability and design experience within the medical, enterprise software, e-commerce, entertainment and aeronautic industries. Jet graduated summa cum laude from California State University, Northridge with a Bachelors Degree in PsychologyJasmine Moshiri
Sr. Human Factors Consultant
Jasmine Moshiri
Sr. Human Factors Consultant
Jasmine Moshiri is a Human Factors Specialist, who has been with HFCSI since 2015. She specializes in usability testing, data analysis, facilitation, and has an extensive background in cognitive psychology, statistics, and research methods. Jasmine holds a Master of Arts Degree, with distinction, in Experimental Psychology from California State University, Northridge. She also graduated cum laude from California State University, Northridge with a B.A. in Psychology.Nicole Clifton
Sr. Human Factors Consultant
Nicole Clifton
Sr. Human Factors Consultant
Nicole Clifton is a Human Factors Specialist with experience in validation and verification of medical devices in regard to FDA requirements for safety and usability. She specializes in usability testing project management, facilitation, data analysis, design recommendations, and test/report writing. Nicole earned a Bachelor's degree in Psychology and a Master's Degree in Human Factors and Applied Psychology, both from California State University, Northridge.Livia Kommel
Sr. Human Factors Consultant
Livia Kommel
Sr. Human Factors Consultant
Livia Kommel joined HFCSI in 2017; since then she has worked closely with the team in formative assessments and summative usability studies. Livia received her Master’s degree in Human Factors & Applied Psychology from California State University, Nothridge in 2013. She was trained in task analysis, needs analysis, facilitation, observation, and data analysis.Aaron Manabat
Human Factors Consultant
Aaron Manabat
Human Factors Consultant
Aaron is a Human Factors Consultant who was trained to the Master's level in Human Factors at California State University, Long Beach and has been working in the human factors realm for the past 3 years. He has previously been involved in research regarding aeronautics controls systems, communications systems, and accessibility in education. His hobbies include fishing, music, and IEC 62366 compliance.Noam Katz
Human Factors Consultant
Noam Katz
Human Factors Consultant
Noam Katz has been a Human Factors Consultant at HFCSI since 2017 and has research experience in advanced aeronautics technologies, accessibility in education, and usability testing. He earned his Bachelor's degree from Queens College, NY and was trained to the Master's level in Human Factors at California State University, Long Beach. He enjoys experimenting with new recipes in the kitchen, incorporating sustainability into his daily life, and keeping up with the latest jailbreak news.Peyton Drouhard
Human Factors Consultant
Peyton Drouhard
Human Factors Consultant
Peyton has been a Human Factors Consultant with HFCSI since 2017. He has research experience in visual attention processes, memory encoding, and usability testing. He earned a B.A. in Psychology from Pittsburg State University and was trained to the Master's level in Human Factors at California State University, Long Beach. He spends his free time learning to play music, practicing yoga, and working towards zero-waste living.Vanui Barakezyan
Human Factors Consultant
Vanui Barakezyan
Human Factors Consultant
Vanui Barakezyan is a Human Factors Consultant who was trained to the Master's level in Human Factors at California State University, Long Beach. She has a BA in Psychology from California State University, Northridge, and an AA in Aviation Science and Commercial Flight. She loves cognitive psychology, attention, and perception. Vanui is a private pilot.Aram Ayvazyan
Human Factors Consultant
Aram Ayvazyan
Human Factors Consultant
Aram has been a Human Factors Consultant at HFCSI since 2016. He has experience in usability testing on medical devices, and a background in applied cognitive psychology and decision making. Aram received his B.A. in Psychology from California State University Northridge. He is currently attending graduate’s school at California State University Long Beach, with the goal of earning his M.S. in Human Factors and Ergonomics. In his spare time Aram enjoys archery, photography, and Armenian language studies.
Our Research Facility
Though we have traveled the globe to conduct research with diverse user populations, we also have our own research facility space at our headquarters in Los Angeles.



© 2018 Human Factors Consulting Services, Inc.