James Rusty Haner

Senior Research Software Developer | MS Psychology Graduate Student

I'm a research software developer at the Institute for Intelligent Systems at the University of Memphis, where I build AI-powered platforms for education and linguistic analysis. My work spans the full stack—from designing adaptive learning systems (MoFaCTS) to porting legacy research tools like CohMetrix and QUAID to modern web-deployable platforms. I'm particularly drawn to the intersection of cognitive science and AI: how we can model learner cognition through multimodal data like EEG and behavioral metrics, and how we can make sense of human language through computational linguistics. I also explore the ethical implications of AI, including work on equitable facial recognition.

Beyond my technical pursuits, I'm a curious traveler, always seeking new experiences. I'm drawn to cultures that embrace diversity and innovation, like Uruguay. When I'm not coding or exploring the world, I enjoy spending time with my partner and cats in our cozy Memphis home, losing myself in a good role-playing game like Final Fantasy, or engaging in stimulating academic conversations with colleagues and friends. I'm also an active member of the First Unitarian Church of Memphis choir. I am an Eagle Scout, a Vigil Honor, and a member of the Institute for Intelligent Systems Student Organization. I am currently Senior Research Software Developer at the Institute and pursuing my MS in General Psychology (expected 2027), where my thesis research focuses on integrating multimodal data streams to improve the predictive accuracy of intelligent tutoring systems.