Software Process Improvement and Formal Methods

Mercedes Ruiz holds a Ph.D. in Computer Engineering from the University of Seville since 2003. Since 1996, she is a professor in the area of Computer Languages and Systems, working in the Department of Computer Science and Engineering at the University of Cadiz. She has been responsible for numerous subjects and her teaching is centered on subjects related to software quality, software project management, and advanced database technologies. At the research level, she is the director of the Research Group on Software Process Improvement and Formal Methods since its creation in 2004, funded under the Andalusian Plan for Research, Development and Innovation. She has participated in various regional, national, and European research projects. She has been the main researcher of projects of the National Plan of R+D+I continuously since 2007. Her research focuses on the application of multi-method simulation for process improvement in the areas of Software Engineering, Usability Engineering, and IT Service Management. Her research interests also include the application of gamification strategies to improve motivation and engagement in the educational and professional domains. She has directed four doctoral theses on these topics and is currently supervising another two. Her research results have been presented at numerous national and international conferences and have been published in journals such as Decision Support Systems, Information and Software Technology, and Computers & Education. She serves as a reviewer for high-impact journals such as Decision Support Systems, Journal of Management Information, Journal of Systems and Software, Learning and Instruction and Computer Standards and Interfaces, among others. Her curriculum also includes extensive experience in university management. At the University of Cadiz, she was the Head of the Department of Computer Languages and Systems from 2004 to 2008, Director of the Doctoral Program of the School of Engineering from 2005 to 2008, and Director of the University for the Elderly from 2008 to 2011. She has participated in the organization of international scientific events as a member of the program committee. She chaired the first edition of the International Conference on Software Product and Process Measurement (Mensura) and the SISTEDES 2014 Conference. She regularly participates as a member of research projects evaluation committees for the National Agency of Project Evaluation and technical commissions of the Spanish ministries with competence in research.