About to leave

The snowstorm in the southern United States has delayed one of our trio (Simone) twice. Jake and I are anticipating her arrival tonight.  In just nine days (if weather and endurance allows) we hope to be 22,841 feet (6,962 meters) above sea level - at Aconcagua, the highest peak in South America.


We'll take the opportunity to explore Santiago in the meantime (it's 89 degrees today) - and make sure we're eating enough calories for the climb. No Chicago deep dish or Cincinnati Skyline in sight, but we’re making do haha. 


Here's a bit about our climbing team:



Associate Research Engineering Psychologist, Applied Neuroscience Branch/ RHCPA, 711th Human Performance Wing
  • Began working for AFRL as a Contractor following Wright State University degree in 2011
  • DoD SMART program Master’s at George Mason University Air Force Center of Excellence (large grants partnership)
  • Works at AFRL’s 711 HPW Applied Neuroscience Branch
  • Scientific Advisory Board Award 2015 to look at genetic basis of oxygen efficiency
  • Currently in DoD SMART program for PhD at Northwestern University, an AFRL
  • Center of Excellence
Simone Erchov



Research Consultant for Research Consulting Solutions,LLC/Humanproof, LLC
  • Earned her Ph.D. in Human Factors & Applied Cognitive Psychology at George Mason University in May 2017
  • Currently consults with Humanproof, LLC, based in Arlington, VA 
  • Established a small women-owned business for additional research and statistical consulting via Research Solutions Consulting, LLC
  • Maintains connections to the academic community through adjunct instruction of introductory biostatistics for undergraduate/graduate students with the Global and Community Health Program at George Mason University
  • History of work with several government and government-related agencies on various research projects (e.g., Transportation Security Agency: evaluating trust in automated systems at security checkpoints; Office of Naval Research: evaluating simulated training programs for Marines; IARPA - evaluating various methods to support and improve intelligence analyst forecasts; National Defense University: examining resilience and risk-factors for PTSD in active duty personnel).
  • Primary research interests include trust interactions (i.e., human-human, human-machine), understanding differences between short and long-term behavior change, and real-world applications of cognitive limitations on decision-making and human performance
  • Avid backpacker and welcomes any endurance challenge, especially those related to climbing

Jake Quartuccio

Research Consultant for JQ Scientific LLC
  • Finished his Ph.D. in Human Factors Psychology at George Mason University this past year
  • Started his own statistics and research methods company, JQ Scientific LLC
  • Enjoys making data visualizations
  • Worked for the Navy through a variety of projects - evaluating IST training for Marines through the Office of Naval Research, and most recently, interning through the Naval Research Lab through the NREIP program.
  • His research interests include studying how people form new habits and how to get people to perform well in difficult environments
  • Has been climbing (mostly rock climbing) with Simone and Kevin for the past 4 years

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