Duffy focuses on human factors engineering and ergonomic design. His interest in teaching began early when he was a teaching assistant for IE 386 at Purdue University while pursuing his master’s degree. As an industrial engineering master’s non-thesis student, Duffy realized he had a natural inclination toward teaching. This motivation, along with the support and mentorship of Ferdinand Leimkuhler, the head of the department, turned him toward the fi eld of research. He rejoined Purdue as a professor and has been teaching courses related to work design and analysis for 60 semesters.