Welcome to the Psychology Department's Alumni page!
Here you can find information about some of the graduates of our Ph.D. programs. If you are interested in learning more about alumni from a particular area, click on the links below for that area.
Monica S. Webb, Ph.D.
Monica S. Webb, Ph.D.
Area
Clinical Ph.D. 2005
Current Information
Assistant Professor, Psychology Department, Syracuse University, Syracuse, NY
Current Position
As an assistant professor at a research university, I have three primary responsibilities:
Conducting innovative research, teaching and mentoring (graduate and undergraduate
students), and participating in service activities. My research interests are in
health psychology, with a focus on tobacco addiction. I am also very interested
in health disparities among smoking-related conditions.
Career Highlights
My career is just beginning, so look out for highlights in the near future! Thus
far, among the many highlights of my graduate training at USF, my advisor and I
published my master’s thesis in Health Psychology, one of clinical psychology’s
top journals, and I obtained a tenure-track faculty position at a major university
just after completing my clinical internship. Achieving this goal is becoming increasingly
difficult and it can be largely attributed to the exceptional mentorship, education,
and training I received in the clinical psychology program.
Personal
I enjoy many activities, including dining out, shopping, traveling, cruises, watching
movies, plays, concerts, taking Gizmo to the dog park, and spending time with family
and friends.
Marc L. Steinberg, Ph.D.
Marc L. Steinberg, Ph.D.
Area
Clinical Ph.D. 2003
Current Information
Assistant Professor of Psychiatry, & Director, Trenton Area Smoking QuitCenter,Robert
Wood Johnson Medical School – UMDNJ,New Brunswick, New Jersey
Current Position
I spend most of my time doing clinical research on tobacco use and motivation to
change. I am currently PI for two studies examining motivation to seek treatment
for tobacco dependence in hard-to-treat populations and a study on predictors of
treatment outcome for smokers with and without schizophrenia. I do little formal
classroom teaching, but I evaluate medical students in their psychiatry rotations,
and present seminars for medical students, psychology interns, and Addiction Psychiatry
Fellows. I also run workshops on Motivational Interviewing, and provide clinical
supervision to psychology interns at our psychology internship program. In my role
as director of a tobacco dependence clinic, I oversee the day-to-day operations
of the clinic and do some clinical work with individuals wishing to quit smoking.
Career Highlights
After USF, I have kept in touch with Tom Brandon, my major professor on my dissertation,
and we published my dissertation in JCCP. He is also a secondary mentor on the Mentored
Career Development Award (K23) from the National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA)
I recently received. This award gives me a tremendous amount of flexibility to spend
time on interesting research and training activities. I was also awarded our Psychiatry
Department’s Investigator Development Award and have published several papers and
book chapters. Most recently I’ve become a member of the Motivational Interviewing
Network of Trainers after being trained by Dr. Bill Miller to train and supervise
others in Motivational Interviewing.
Personal
My wife, Laura and I have an amazing 5-year old daughter, Dana. Our second child
(Robert) is due October 2005.
Jennifer Irvin Vidrine, Ph.D.
Jennifer Irvin Vidrine, Ph.D.
Area
Clinical Ph.D. 2003
Current Information
Assistant Professor, Department of Health Disparities Research and Department of
Behavioral Science,The University of Texas M. D. Anderson Cancer Center,Houston,
TX
Current Position
My current position is 100% dedicated to research, which focuses on potential “windows
of opportunity” for promoting health behavior change, evaluating novel health communications,
the increasing recalcitrance of tobacco smokers, and investigating potential mechanisms
underlying changes in health risk perceptions over time. I am currently the Principal
Investigator on a Mentored Research Scientist Development Award (K01) funded by
the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) to examine real-time, momentary
changes in risk perceptions in the natural environment among smokers attempting
cessation using state-of-the-science ecological momentary assessment (EMA) procedures.
I am also a co-investigator on two other R01 grants to develop and evaluate new
interventions. I truly love my job!
Career Highlights
I am fortunate to have received two grants to support my research and training during
the early stages of my academic career, and I am also a recipient of the NIH Clinical
Research Loan Repayment Program (LRP). I am primary or co-author on several peer-reviewed
publications in tobacco control, and have independently reviewed manuscripts for
a number of journals. I attribute the foundation for these successes to the outstanding
mentoring and support provided by my major professor during graduate school at USF.
Personal
I am recently married and enjoy life with my husband, Damon, and our Italian Greyhound
puppy, Bruno. I also like to read, cook, and travel.
Amy Duhig, Ph.D.
Amy Duhig, Ph.D.
Area
Clinical Ph.D. 2002
Current Information
Visiting Assistant Professor,Indiana University Purdue University-Indianapolis,Indianapolis,
IN
Current Position
I am teaching both graduate and undergraduate courses in the Department of Psychology.
I conduct research generally in adolescent substance use, but mostly in the area
of tobacco use.
Career Highlights
I completed my internship at the University of Miami School of Medicine, Mailman
Center for Child Development in child clinical and pediatric psychology. I then
went on to complete my postdoctoral fellowship at Yale University School of Medicine.
My graduate training at USF provided me with a strong foundation of both clinical
and research skills. Attending USF opened many doors for me given its good reputation
for training students.
Personal
I have a husband who is a family medicine resident and a daughter who keeps us both
busy. It is possible to have both a family and a career!
Heather Belanger, Ph.D.
Heather Belanger, Ph.D.
Area
Clinical Ph.D. 2001
Current Information
Neuropsychologist,Tampa VA Medical Center,Tampa, FL
Current Position
I am currently a neuropsychologist in the traumatic brain injury unit at the Tampa
VA Hospital. In this capacity, I conduct neuropsychological and psychological evaluations
on veterans who have sustained a head injury, most typically as a result of an explosion
or a motor vehicle accident. I also supervise postdoctoral fellows, co-teach various
seminars, conduct research, and help write grant proposals. We were recently designated
as one of four Polytrauma Rehabilitation Centers within the VA system, which means
we are treating a large number of returning veterans. Our collective mission is
to return them to the highest level of functioning possible.
Career Highlights
We are the lead head injury program for the VA in the southern United States and
one of seven VA or military sites involved in ongoing brain injury research through
the Defense and Veterans Brain Injury Center (DVBIC). I really enjoy all aspects
of my job but I particularly enjoy writing. My career highlights, at this stage,
are publishing many journal articles, a couple of book chapters, and helping to
develop new curricula for our Neuropsychology Seminar. I will be co-leading a workshop
for an upcoming meeting of the National Academy of Neuropsychology. A daily ‘highlight’
is managing to find a parking spot here at the VA.
Personal
I bought a house in Seminole Heights, a 1920’s bungalow, which keeps me occupied
with frequent trips to Home Depot. I also enjoy running, trying new sushi restaurants,
watching flicks at the Tampa Theatre, and talking to my loquacious nephew on the
phone. I am working on a book with my sister (and I don’t think we’ll ever finish
it).
Kimberly Renk, Ph.D.
Kimberly Renk, Ph.D.
Area
Clinical Ph.D. 2000
Current Information
Assistant Professor,University of Central Florida,Orlando, FL
Current Position
Much of my attention is devoted to the Clinical Psychology Ph.D. program at UCF.
I teach courses in psychopathology, assessment, and therapy (particularly for children
and families). A main component of my research has been my development of a research
clinic catering to families with young children in the community. This clinic allows
us to examine topics such as the development of psychological symptoms in young
children, parent-child interactions, and the effectiveness of psychological interventions
for these families, all while providing free services to children and families in
need. In addition to my faculty position, I do evaluations of children diagnosed
with cancer for Nemours Children’s Clinic and facilitate occasional parent groups
for the Boggy Creek Camp serving children with chronic medical illnesses.
Career Highlights
By far, the most enjoyable part of my position has been working with my graduate
students. Right now, I have an energetic group of eight graduate students working
with me. They are involved in all aspects of the research that we do, including
work with the research clinic families. They share my enthusiasm and curiosity about
interactions in families and keep me on my toes! It has been an honor to see them
develop into fine, young psychologists and to start to go off into the world (I’ve
already had two students complete their Ph.D.’s!).
Personal
My husband, Rob, and I just had our 14th wedding anniversary. Somehow, he still
finds a way to be supportive of the amount of time I invest in “school stuff.” We
have a son, Kyle, who is a delightfully energetic and curious 2-year old. Getting
to be Kyle’s mom is the best thing that I’ve ever had the chance to do and makes
me appreciate the awe of seeing the world through a child’s eyes
Staci Martin, Ph.D.
Staci Martin, Ph.D.
Area
Clinical Ph.D. 1999
Current Information
Psychologist, Neuropsychology Group,National Cancer Institute, National Institutes
of Health,Bethesda
Current Position
My group conducts neuropsychological assessments in conjunction with NCI treatment
protocols for a variety of patient populations, including children and adults with
HIV, cancer, and various genetic syndromes. My position offers me the flexibility
to develop my own research on specific topics of interest, which include family
functioning and treatment adherence. I also spend a portion of my time conducting
therapy with patients and supervising master's level psychology associates and graduate
students. I have encountered so many fascinating and inspiring patients, work with
a wonderful group of talented professionals, and have been able to participate in
interesting - in many cases ground-breaking - areas of research in one of the best
learning environments in the country.
Career Highlights
One recent highlight was completion of the first study for which I was the Chairperson.
My years at Moffitt Cancer Center working with Paul Jacobsen (or "Dr. J" as we call
him) were immensely helpful in preparing for that. Others include publications,
presentations, and being asked to serve as the primary instructor and clinical supervisor
for the graduate level assessment courses at the George Washington University. I
feel so lucky to have the best of all worlds within psychology - research, clinical,
supervising, and teaching.
Personal
Bethesda is a beautiful, fun city; I'm living with my fiance, Lee (will be married
in 2006!), and my two cats.
Lee M. Ritterband, Ph.D.
Lee M. Ritterband, Ph.D.
Area
Clinical Ph.D. 1998
Current Information
Associate Professor,University of Virginia Health System,Charlottesville, Virginia
Current Position
I am currently an associate professor at the Center for Behavioral Medicine Research
in the School of Medicine at the University of Virginia Health System. While I continue
to spend about a half day a week providing clinical services (with a focus on treatment
of insomnia, anxiety, depression, and encopresis), most of my time is spent involved
in clinical research (on insomnia, encopresis, and diabetes). My main research interest
is in exploring the use of the Internet in providing behaviorally based treatment
interventions. I am PI of an NIMH study to develop and test Internet-based delivery
of cognitive-behavioral treatment for insomnia.
Career Highlights
Last year (2004), I co-founded an organization for those whose interest is in developing
and testing Internet interventions--the International Society for Research on Internet
Interventions (www.isrii.org). We held our first meeting in Stockholm, Sweden, and
most of the top researchers in the area are now on our distribution list. Another
highlight includes receiving the "Best eHealth Research Paper of the Year" in 2003
by the Health e-Technologies Initiative, National Program Office of the Robert Wood
Johnson Foundation for eHealth.
Personal
My wife, Dawn, and I have two boys, ages 9 months and 3.5 years old. Our vacations
now consist of traveling to one family or the other - and we have recently begun
allowing our parents "alone" time with our children (you know, so they can bond
- we, unfortunately, then have to find things to do by ourselves).
Desiree Murray, Ph.D.
Desiree Murray, Ph.D.
Area
Clinical Ph.D. 1997
Current Information
Assistant Clinical Professor,Department of Psychiatry, Duke University Medical Center,Durham,
NC
Current Position
My present responsibilities include serving as co-Investigator and study coordinator
for several NIMH and industry funded clinical research studies on ADHD in children
and adults. I am also co-PI on a grant recently funded by the Department of Education
to evaluate computerized attention and academic training programs for inattentive
first graders. I provide outpatient services including diagnostic evaluations, school
consultation, and parent training. I also supervise clinical and school psychology
interns. My research interests include the identification of ADHD through the schools,
and parent-teacher interventions for ADHD students.
Career Highlights
I was fortunate to receive an NIMH B/START grant to conduct a pilot study of intervention
for ADHD two years ago, and I hope to obtain funding for follow up studies in the
future. The greatest benefit my USF training provided for my current career was
the diversity of community practicum placements I had. Mark Goldman would be pleased
to know that some of us really did go on to “live on the hyphen”.
Personal
When I am not working, I enjoy swimming, yoga/pilates, and spending time with my
husband, Michael (also a program graduate) and our 7 year old son.
Stefanie Gilbert, Ph.D.
Stefanie Gilbert, Ph.D.
Area
Clinical Ph.D. 1996
Current Information
Assistant Professor, Department of Psychology; Lecturer, Women's Studies, Graduate
Certificate Program,Howard University,Washington, D.C.
Current Position
I have been on the faculty of the Psychology Department at Howard University for
the past six years. Two years ago, I helped establish the university's Graduate
Certificate Program in Women's Studies, which hopefully will develop into a full-fledged
degree-giving program. In addition to teaching Introductory Psychology, Psychology
of Gender, Individual Psychotherapy, and Group Psychotherapy, I also team-teach
Introduction to Women's Studies and am the faculty advisor to the Feminist Majority
group on the Howard campus.
Career Highlights
My research focuses on cultural contributors to body image and disordered eating,
although a few of my studies have examined help-seeking behavior and sexual risk-taking.
I have published in peer-reviewed journals and contributed to three books, and have
had the honor and good fortune to co-author several publications with Kevin Thompson.
Since 2000, I have been the president of the Washington Society for the Study of
Eating Disorders and Obesity.
Personal
The greatest joy I have experienced since graduating has been raising my son, Marek
Anshel Haar, who turns 8 in September, 2005. He plays piano beautifully, cooks and
bakes with me on a weekly basis, and, by virtue of attending a language immersion
school in our area, now speaks, writes, and reads fluently in French. My parents
are in terrific health, and I'm the proud aunt to four terrific kids. My entire
family lives in St. Petersburg, so I visit the Tampa area often.
Laura Liljequist , Ph.D.
Laura Liljequist , Ph.D.
Area
Clinical Ph.D. 1996
Current Information
Associate Professor of Psychology, Director of Clinical Training, Director of MSU
Psychological Center,Murray State University,Murray, KY
Current Position
I have a busy, but rewarding position at the university. As the clinical training
director, I oversee the master's degree training of our clinical psychology graduate
students. In my role as Director of the Psychological Center, I am responsible for
setting Center policy, ensuring compliance with state and federal laws, running
a weekly multi-level case conference and seeking out new referral sources to keep
our students busy with varied caseloads. In my spare time (ha-ha), I have a small
private practice with 3 master's level psychological associates working under my
supervision in a variety of settings, including school systems, residential care
facilities and a hospital wellness center.
Career Highlights
Perhaps the singularly most rewarding moment in recent years was when I was informed--after
testifying in the death penalty phase of a trial about the defendant’s mitigating
psychological circumstances--that the jury had not voted for the death penalty.
A more comical "career achievement" occurred after having written a review article
for the then-president of MSU on pathological gambling (a subject about which I
had never previously studied nor have I continued to study), which was published
in an MSU-based journal. I received a request from the minister of mental health
and mental retardation in Alberta, Canada to make this article part of required
training for government employees in that province.
Personal
The MSU Psychology department has been a great fit as it is populated by animal-lovers,
many who are active in the local humane society. I do my part by rescuing stray
cats and dogs, finding homes for those I can and keeping the rest. Current cat count
is 6. Aside from our menagerie, my husband and I love to travel and see as much
live music as possible. (For security purposes, due to the nature of her consulting,
Laura preferred to post pictures of her cats.)
Christopher Frueh, Ph.D.
Christopher Frueh, Ph.D.
Area
Clinical Ph.D. 1992
Current Information
Professor of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences,Director, Division of Public Psychiatry,Medical
University of South Carolina,Charleston, South Carolina
Current Position
At the University side, I am PI on several federally funded research grants to improve
mental health service delivery to trauma survivors. I am also Director of the Division
of Public Psychiatry, whose mission is to further research, clinical, and educational
activities relevant to public mental health agencies, including the federally-funded
VA system and state-funded mental health system. This Division is the largest within
the Department of Psychiatry, with 22 full-time faculty and total research funding
over the past three years in excess of $4 million. At the VA Medical Center I am
the Director of the PTSD clinic, which serves combat veterans. My time is divided
between research, administration, clinical supervision and research mentoring, clinical
service provision, and consulting on various programs and research projects around
the country.
Career Highlights
Seeing my former psychology interns and post-docs work their way up the academic
ladder after they complete their training; testifying before Congress on matters
related to mental health care for veterans; helping to persuade the California Supreme
Court, via an amicus brief, to accept a case of profound societal importance that
pertains to the science of trauma and memory.
Personal
I live on a small barrier island about 20 miles south of Charleston with my wife
Karen Pellegrin, who also received a doctoral degree in clinical psychology from
USF (1991), and our four cats.
Stevan E. Hobfoll, Ph.D.
Stevan E. Hobfoll, Ph.D.
Area
Clinical Ph.D. 1977
Current Information
Distinguished Professor and Director,Kent State University,Kent, Ohio
Current Position
I am Distinguished Professor of Psychology and Director of the Applied Psychology
Center and the Center for Study and Treatment of Traumatic Stress. I am involved
in research, teaching, and clinical work, as well as administration. My work on
stress and trauma has also involved me in consulting and talks worldwide and work
on policy, especially since the terrorist attacks of September 11th.
Career Highlights
USF provided excellent training for me in both research and clinical work. The focus
on community psychology and prevention was especially important for my career. Also
valuable was the ability to focus both in Clinical and Social Psychology and the
openness of faculty to cross-training of this kind. I have authored and edited 11books
and over 160 journal articles, book chapters, and technical reports, I am also a
Fellow of the Center for National Security Studies at the University of Haifa, Israel.
Formerly at Tel Aviv and Ben Gurion Universities, and an officer in the Israeli
Defense Forces, I remain involved with the problem of stress in Israel. I was co-chair
of the APA Commission on Stress and War during Operation Desert Storm, helping plan
for the prevention of prolonged distress among military personnel and their families,
a member of the task force on bioterrorism, and a member of APAs Task Force on Resilience
in Response to Terrorism.
Personal
Yes, I did all this while being very involved as a husband and father of three children.
In fact, my wife and I published a book, "Work Won't Love You Back" on balancing
career and family.
Melanie Polkosky,Ph.D.
Melanie Polkosky,Ph.D.
Area
Cognitive and Neural Sciences 2005
Current Information
Human Factors Psychologist, Conversational Solutions Lab Services Team,IBM,Memphis,
TN
Current Position
I provide consultation, design, and evaluation services for IBM customers, who are
implementing speech technologies such as automatic speech recognition, text-to-speech,
and embedded and multimodal technologies (usually on small handheld devices, including
both graphic and/or speech input and output). My job is to help them understand
their user group and design the technology so that it meets the users’ needs, is
fun or pleasurable to use, and best utilizes the users’ skills and limitations.
Career Highlights
There are 3 things that stand out for me: publishing my first peer-reviewed journal
article, finishing my Ph.D., and being invited to write the opening chapter of the
edited volume Mediated Interpersonal Communication, which should be published later
this year. Another experience I’m currently involved in and very excited about is
volunteering my skills as a consultant on a technology design and research project
for St. Jude’s Children’s Hospital: It uses an application we’re designing to improve
informed consent for families of children with brain cancer (through the Center
for Multimedia Arts, University of Memphis – www.memphis.edu/cma). It’s rewarding
to support technologies that improve lives, not complicate them.
Personal
I’m married to someone who has been one of my best friends since middle school and
we are expecting our first child in July 2006. We also share our lives with a brood
of furry critters (1 dog and 4 cats).
Eric Sellers, Ph.D.
Eric Sellers, Ph.D.
Area
Cognitive and Neural Sciences 2004
Current Information
Postdoctoral Research Fellow,Wadsworth Center, New York State Department of Health,Albany,
NY.
Current Position
I design and conduct research studies to develop and improve brain-computer interface
(BCI) communication. Our goal at the Wadsworth Center is to provide severely paralyzed
individuals with a means to communicate. We accomplish this goal by using the scalp
recorded EEG as a communication channel. We have recently installed BCI systems
into people’s homes, and they are using the systems as their primary means of communication.
Managing the home based systems and publishing peer reviewed articles are my primary
goals and responsibilities.
Career Highlights
I am thankful to have had a truly outstanding advisor (Dr. Emanuel Donchin) to provide
direction and suggest an exciting and rewarding research program. My research program
has given me the opportunity to conduct research in several countries around the
world. I have demonstrated the Wadsworth Center BCI on the NBC Today Show with Katie
Couric using the system. In 2006, I am the primary author of four peer reviewed
publications, and a co-author several additional publications.
Personal
I am married with two sons. I spend as much time as possible with my wife and kids.
In my spare time I train for bicycle races and triathlons.
Sonja Trent-Brown, Ph.D.
Sonja Trent-Brown, Ph.D.
Area
Cognitive and Neural Sciences 2004
Current Information
Professor, Psychology Department,Hope College,Holland, MI
Current Position
The Psychology department at Hope College offers undergraduate students wonderful
opportunities to pursue studies in psychology both in and out of the classroom.
One of the best things about the program is the opportunity for students to be involved
in research. In fact, Hope College is a known leader in producing excellent undergraduate
researchers. The Psychology Department alone has produced national research award
winners for over 30 years and since 1999 has had at least one regional and/or national
research award recipient every year! In three of those years there were multiple
winners. I teach undergraduate classes, mentor undergraduate student researchers,
and conduct original empirical research in psycholinguistics and child development.
Career Highlights
I have written journal articles and have been able to present research at professional
conferences. I have been a member of APA, APS, ASA, and AABSS. My research was once
selected by AIP to be of wider public interest and so was disseminated to science
editors at over 100 newspapers and magazines and I was called for telephone interviews
regarding the research.
Personal
Married, one cat. I sing, knit, and take Tae Kwon Do.
Christine Caffray-Kreines, Ph.D
Christine Caffray-Kreines, Ph.D
Area
Cognitive and Neural Sciences 2001
Current Information
Researcher/Evaluator,Children’s Board of Hillsborough County,Tampa, FL.
Current Position
The Children’s Board of Hillsborough County is a county-wide strategic grant making
organization that uses dedicated property tax revenue to promote the health, safety
and well being of our community’s children and their families. I am responsible
for designing and conducting research and evaluation studies to improve the quality
and effectiveness of prevention and intervention services focused on achieving outcomes
related to healthy births and school readiness, to measure the effects of funded
services and to assess the impacts of investment strategies to guide future funding
decisions. I also provide research and evaluation support to staff and community
stakeholders to assist in building capacity for quality improvement, informed decision
making, information dissemination and critical social issue resolution.
Career Highlights
I conducted a multi-year retrospective study of the impacts associated with three
non-traditional investment strategies of the Children’s Board, published the results
and presented at local and national conferences. In addition to my work at the Children’s
Board, I have consulted on several economic cost analysis studies of prevention
programming, have co-authored and published several articles on this topic, am developing
a cost analysis tool for national distribution as well as continuing to pursue my
own research interests in the area of affective motivators and adolescent decision
making.
Personal
I am married and I have a two-year old son and am expecting another child in June
2005. I sing in a choir and enjoy scrapbooking, reading and playing with my son
and watching hockey.
Jane A. Noll, Ph.D.
Jane A. Noll, Ph.D.
Area
Cognitive and Neural Sciences 1999
Current Information
Director of Intro Psych & Undergraduate Coordinator, Psychology Department,University
of South Florida,Tampa, FL.
Current Position
I am lucky enough to have been able to join the faculty here at USF as well as having
graduated from the CNS doctoral program here. My current position is half teaching
and half administration of the undergraduate program. I teach the large undergraduate
Intro Psych courses and a graduate course on teaching. I’m in charge of the training
of incoming graduate students to prepare them for their teaching assistantships.
For those graduate students who want to teach their own course, I help them prepare
and I supervise their first semester of teaching.
Career Highlights
My graduate work was with Judy Bryant and Jim Jenkins in Psycholinguistics. After
graduation, I had a post-doctoral research position in the Alcohol & Substance
Use Research Institute (Dr. Goldman’s lab). There I was able to apply my research
in cognitive psychology to the problem of college students’ alcohol use. Several
published articles came from our work there.
Personal
Married, three children. I enjoy living in Florida.
Cynthia Smith, Ph.D.
Cynthia Smith, Ph.D.
Area
Cognitive and Neural Sciences 1998
Current Information
Assistant Professor, Psychology Department,University of Southern Indiana,Evansville,
Indiana
Current Position
The Psychology department at USI offers a BA and BS in Psychology, so I am teaching
in a program that is quite a bit like my undergraduate program in southern Indiana.
I teach undergraduate classes, mentor undergraduate students in research, and conduct
original empirical research on gender issues, the impact of college education, and
the teaching of psychology.
Career Highlights
I have published one journal article and presented at numerous conferences throughout
the US with publications in the conference proceedings. I have reviewed textbooks
(that is how I afford my imported beer habit) and have graded Advanced Placement
Psychology exams on the beach.
Personal
Single.
Gwendolyn Campbell, Ph.D.
Gwendolyn Campbell, Ph.D.
Area
Cognitive and Neural Sciences 1995
Current Information
Senior Research Psychologist,Department of the Navy, NAVAIR Orlando Training Systems
Division,Orlando, FL.
Current Position
As a researcher in a government (Navy) lab, my primary responsibility is to plan
and conduct research studies designed to improve the effectiveness and efficiency
of the training that the Navy provides to its warfighters. Many of my projects investigate
the role that advanced technologies, such as computer-based natural language processing,
neurophysiological measurement and virtual reality, can play to help the military
achieve its training goals. I receive most of my funding from the Office of Naval
Research.
Career Highlights
Collaborating with John R. Anderson. A five-day “cruise” on U.S.S. Cowpens, CG-63,
observing a variety of training exercises and an underway replenishment. Visiting
computational linguists at the University of Edinburgh in Scotland.
Personal
Married. Hobbies include rock climbing and sewing.
John Pruitt, Ph.D.
John Pruitt, Ph.D.
Area
Cognitive and Neural Sciences 1995
Current Information
User Research Manager, Tablet & Mobile PC Division,Microsoft Corp.,Seattle,
Washington
Current Position
As a user research manager, my job is to research and design the interactive experiences
that people will have with our software products. And, I manage a small team of
researchers and user interface designers. Our research includes laboratory testing,
field observation (ethnography), prototyping, surveys and focus groups among other
techniques. Since joining Microsoft in 1998, I have conducted usability studies
and more general user research for a number of products including four versions
of Microsoft Windows and three version of an internet browser called MSN Explorer.
I am currently working on the next generation of pen and touch interfaces for tablet
PCs.
Career Highlights
Being invited as a keynote speaker for "The Market Research Event" (an annual conference
hosted by the International Institute for Market Research). Just published my first
book, "The Persona Lifecycle: Keeping People in Mind Throughout Product Design".
Prior to Microsoft, I was an invited researcher in the Human Information Processing
Division of the Advanced Telecommunications Research Laboratory, in Kyoto, Japan,
and also worked as a civilian scientist doing simulation and training research for
the U.S. Navy. I also have been a regular seminar instructor Jakob Nielsen's and
Don Norman's international User Experience conferences (see http://www.nngroup.com/events/).
Personal
Married, with one very new little girl. Hobbies include racquetball, mountain biking,
and skiing, as well as playing and recording music.
Industrial/Organizational Alumni
Lizzette Lima, Ph.D.
Lizzette Lima, Ph.D.
Area
Industrial/Organizational 2004
Current Information
Human Capital Management Consultant,ePredix, Inc.,Pittsburgh, PA
Current Position
ePredix, Inc. is a human capital management company that offers online selection
assessments and is based in Minneapolis, Minnesota. I started working there in July,
2003 and have recently relocated to Pittsburgh, PA to work as an independent contractor
for the company on various projects. I have conducted validation studies, job analyses,
business outcome (ROI) studies, written technical manuals, created new test content,
developed role play and simulation exercises, and managed numerous client projects.
Career Highlights
I have conducted research primarily in the mentoring arena and presented at SIOP
a number of times. I am currently in the process of publishing my dissertation and
look forward to growing and learning more as my career progresses. I have been involved
in multiple roles (e.g., product development, project management, consulting) with
a fast-growing, innovative human capital management company
Personal
I am married to Brad Schneider, and I own a golden retriever named Ruffles. I love
to read anything I can get my hands on, travel to exotic locations, and ride horses
(especially Arabians!).
Jennifer Kisamore, Ph.D.
Jennifer Kisamore, Ph.D.
Area
Industrial/Organizational 2003
Current Information
Assistant Professor, Psychology Department,University of Oklahoma,Tulsa, OK
Current Position
I am teaching at the Tulsa campus of the University of Oklahoma (OU). The OU Psychology
Department offers traditional degree programs (research-based M.S. and Ph.D.) at
the Norman campus. The OU Psychology Department also offers an applied M.A. degree
in Organizational Dynamics at the Tulsa campus. I primarily teach courses for the
Organizational Dynamics program so I am teaching in a program quite different than
the program I attended at USF. Courses are offered in a compressed format, on weekends.
Students in the program are full-time working professionals from all organizational
levels. I teach Masters level classes, mentor graduate students, and conduct research
on statistical methods and academic integrity.
Career Highlights
I have presented research at national conferences and published articles in the
field. I have recently been named co-editor of the Education and Training column
for TIP, the professional publication of the Society for Industrial-Organizational
Psychology.
Personal
I am originally from Maryland. I have a fearless cat named Callie. I enjoy reading,
meditating, and philosophical discussions with friends.
Lisa Penney, Ph.D.
Lisa Penney, Ph.D.
Area
Industrial/Organizational 2003
Current Information
Assistant Professor, Psychology Department,University of Houston,Houston, TX
Current Position
As an assistant professor, I teach both undergraduate and graduate courses in I/O
and conduct research. I also work with graduate students, guiding them through their
own research projects and helping them plan for their post-graduate careers.
Career Highlights
This being so early in my career, I feel that the best highlights are yet to come.
However, I did present a paper on workplace incivility at the SIOP conference in
2003 that was profiled by a reporter. The resulting story was picked up by the major
news wires and ran in several major media outlets, culminating with a profile piece
on my study that ran in Newsweek Japan and invitations from organizations to speak
about incivility. How cool is that?!
Personal
Hobbies include hiking and tennis. I’m also a big hockey fan. Go Lightning!
Scott Birkeland, Ph.D.
Scott Birkeland, Ph.D.
Area
Industrial/Organizational 2002
Current Information
Consultant,Personnel Decisions International,Minneapolis, MN.
Current Position
Personnel Decisions International (PDI) is an Industrial/Organizational Psychology
consulting firm. In my current role at PDI, I work with large retail organizations
to help them select and develop store personnel. Much of my time is spent creating
and implementing tools to help store managers better understand the performance
and capabilities of their staff. To do this, a typical week for me includes the
following: interviewing store staff, developing questionnaires, performing statistical
analyses, creating project plans, and meeting with technology vendors.
Career Highlights
I help manage one of PDI’s largest clients. This has given me an opportunity to
work with senior executives and travel around the world (mainly Europe and the Middle
East). Additionally, I have presented papers at numerous SIOP and APA conferences.
Personal
I’m married and have a daughter. During the summer I enjoy playing golf and fishing.
During the winter I enjoy playing broomball and going to movies.
Dee Newson, Ph.D.
Dee Newson, Ph.D.
Area
Industrial/Organizational 2002
Current Information
Assessment Manager,Raymond James & Associates,St. Petersburg, FL.
Current Position
My role reports to the Organizational Effectiveness group. Through the HR Partner
groups, we empower business units and their people by providing practical and innovative
performance measurement and management processes, tools and consulting. We strive
to anticipate client needs and bring out the best in all associates by keeping a
pulse on the business, fostering open communication, and encouraging continual learning.
I am currently working on initiatives such as leadership development, executive
coaching, and employee engagement.
Career Highlights
I received a graduate training fellowship from the American Psychological Association.
I have an MBA from the University of Tampa, which complements my degree in I/O psychology.
I have worked for large multi-national corporations as well as smaller domestic
companies. I have presented at conferences such as the Society for Industrial-Organizational
Psychology. I am an active member of the Tampa Chamber of Commerce.
Personal
I am a bachelor with no animals. I play chess and enjoy watching professional and
college football and basketball. On the weekends, you can find me cutting a rug
or enjoying libations at just about any local Tampa establishment.
Shaobang Sun, Ph.D.
Shaobang Sun, Ph.D.
Area
Industrial/Organizational 2001
Current Information
Research Scientist,Human Resources Research Organization (HumRRO),Alexandria, VA.
Current Position
HumRRO helps its clients apply social and behavioral sciences in work settings.
My work at HumRRO often involves preparing proposals, meeting with clients, analyzing
data, developing HR related tools, and writing reports. Currently, I am leading
a team to market HumRRO’s products and services to the market in my native country,
China.
Career Highlights
I authored many project reports. I am the chief editor of the Western and Eastern
Human Resources (www.we-hr.org) Newsletter that I created to foster communications
between the Western world and the Eastern world in the area of human resources.
Personal
Married, one child. I enjoy web programming.
Tim Carey, Ph.D.
Tim Carey, Ph.D.
Area
Industrial/Organizational 2000
Current Information
Director of Consulting Services,Personnel Decisions International,Shanghai, China.
Current Position
Personnel Decisions International is a global consulting firm with offices in 30
cities around the world. My role in Shanghai, in addition to business development,
delivery of services and client management, is to ensure that all of our consultants
are trained and effective at delivering our services in a professional and soundly
research-based manner. This includes overseeing our assessment practice in the Greater
China area and considering all the proposals that go out to ensure that we are offering
services that are based on best practices in Industrial/Organizational Psychology.
As not all of our consultants even have a background in psychology, this can be
a challenge at times.
Career Highlights
One of the benefits of working for a global consulting company is that once you’ve
proven yourself capable and created a network in the organization, you are invited
to join numerous projects around the world. I’ve delivered services for PDI in Shanghai,
Hong Kong, Indonesia, South Korea, Singapore, Tokyo, Paris and Khobar ( Saudi Arabia)
among other locales. As well, I’ve been involved in a little research for the company
and have gotten the opportunity to ‘call the shots’ for what we do and don’t do
regarding assessments in this region. Finally, as a consultant, we see into the
inner workings of many global, Fortune 500 companies at a very high level. This
has been in a variety of industries, including retail, high tech and FMCG organizations.
It has been very eye-opening and an education in itself. The typical path after
a consulting job is to either teach at a university or go into the ‘client side’
as an HR professional. It will be hard to leave this position, however, as there
is always something new to learn.
Personal
Living abroad is fascinating – in Asia there is always somewhere interesting to
visit that isn’t too far away. As I take trips, I always schedule some time to see
the local sights and sample the culture.
LeAnne Bennett, Ph.D.
LeAnne Bennett, Ph.D.
Area
Industrial/Organizational 1999
Current Information
Vice President, Institutional Trust Services (ITS) Development Executive,JPMorgan
Chase,New York, New York
Current Position
I am responsible for driving ITS-wide development initiatives and partnering with
our HR and business partners to facilitate organizational & individual effectiveness
and culture change consistent with the overarching business strategy. Responsibilities
include needs analysis & organizational diagnosis; designing/identifying tailored
solutions to development-related challenges; implementing solutions and following
up to ensure success; facilitation (group process, business strategy meetings, talent
review sessions, etc.); individual development and career management; leadership
development/talent management; organizational change management; and team-building
(including the use of MBTI, JumpStarts & TeamStarts).
Career Highlights
I have been with JPMorgan Chase (or one of its predecessor firms) since 1997 and
have been fortunate that the organization is large (& getting larger with every
merger) and supports cross-organization mobility. In my 7+ years here, I have held
several very different OD-related jobs in 3 of the major businesses within the firm
(Retail/Consumer, Investment Bank, and, currently, our cash management business,
Treasury & Securities Sevices). I have personally experienced 2 large-scale
mergers from the inside (and lived to tell the tale) which has been an excellent
opportunity to apply a wide variety of the knowledge and skills I learned at USF
(e.g., job analysis, change management, org design & behavior, team-building,
etc.). I am also currently on the board of METRO (the Metropolitan New York Association
for Applied Psychology).
Personal
Single in the City-but looking, traveling, sailing and eating at new and exotic
restaurants in the city. Oh yeah, and yoga to help work off all the food I eat in
these restaurants.
Lori Foster Thompson, Ph.D.
Lori Foster Thompson, Ph.D.
Area
Industrial/Organizational 1999
Current Information
Assistant Professor, Psychology Department,North Carolina State University (NCSU),Raleigh,
NC.
Current Position
The Psychology department at NCSU offers a Ph.D. in Industrial and Organizational
Psychology, so in many ways it is similar to the program at the University of South
Florida where I attended graduate school. I teach both graduate and undergraduate
classes, mentor graduate students, and conduct original empirical research on technology-driven
changes in the world of work. Some example topics in this area include computer-mediated
teamwork, electronic monitoring, and e-recruitment. I also study careers and employee
surveys. In addition to my job at NCSU, I work as a Senior Research Fellow at the
Army Research Institute’s Fort Bragg field office, where I enjoy studying and applying
I/O psychology in a military environment.
Career Highlights
I have written journal articles and book chapters on the topics mentioned above.
I also co-authored a book on “computer-supported cooperative work.” I’ve been able
to present research outside of the United States, which has been a lot of fun! I
often review articles for journals and am on a couple of journal editorial boards.
In addition, I oversee a column for the Society for Industrial and Organizational
Psychology’s newsletter, TIP.
Personal
I enjoy traveling and spending time with my husband, Win.
Suzy Fox, Ph.D.
Suzy Fox, Ph.D.
Area
Industrial/Organizational 1998
Current Information
Associate Professor, Institute of Human Resources and Industrial Relations, Graduate
School of Business,Loyola University Chicago,Chicago, IL
Current Position
I teach MSHR (Master of Science in Human Resources) and MBA courses in organizational
behavior, ethics of employment and diversity, global human resource management,
and strategic finance for HR professionals. I’m developing an undergraduate course
in Global HR/OB.
Career Highlights
The best part is getting to do lots of research with Paul Spector on counterproductive
work behavior. My other two areas of research are racial/ethnic workplace bullying
and the Successful Women Worldwide international research group. I’ve presented
research at conferences in Peru, Hungary, Poland, Canada, and the U.S., and teach
in an executive MBA program in Austria – keep those frequent flyer points coming.
Just finished a 3-year stint as Associate Editor of Human Relations (Tavistock,
England).
Personal
Live with my husband, son, and dog in a condo a few doors away from Lake Michigan,
absolutely LOVE Chicago. I play flute in the City Symphony and the Chicago Reading
Orchestra (not-quite professional but fun).
Dave Dorsey, Ph.D.
Dave Dorsey, Ph.D.
Area
Industrial/Organizational 1997
Current Information
Principal Research Scientist,Personnel Decisions Research Institutes (PDRI),Washington,
DC
Current Position
PDRI is an applied research and consulting firm that specializes in applying Industrial
and Organizational psychology to real-world problems. As a principal research scientist
at PDRI, much of my work centers on specific projects. Depending on the project,
my role spans a range of activities, including business development, project management,
technical design and analysis, and communicating results. Much of my work in the
last several years has been with military and defense clients.
Career Highlights
My career highlights include winning a couple of awards from the Society for Industrial
and Organizational Psychology, including one for my dissertation, and a second award
with some colleagues at PDRI for a program of applied research. One of my career
goals has been to maintain a balance between doing applied consulting work and contributing
to the field via professional presentations and publishing.
Personal
Married, with one daughter. My hobbies include being a triathlete (run, bike, swim)
and playing 4-year-old games with my 4-year-old daughter.
Chris Wright, Ph.D.
Chris Wright, Ph.D.
Area
Industrial/Organizational 1996
Current Information
Assistant Professor, Psychology Department,San Francisco State University,San Francisco,
CA
Current Position
The Psychology department at SFSU offers an M.S. in Industrial and Organizational
Psychology. I teach both graduate and undergraduate classes in I/O Psychology, Employee
Selection, Training Development and Evaluation, and Multiple Regression. In addition,
I mentor graduate students and conduct original empirical research on employment
interviews and job embeddedness. I also work as a human resource consultant. Two
current clients include the California Public Utilities Commission and the San Francisco
Fire Department.
Career Highlights
Prior to joining the faculty at SFSU, I was a practitioner of I/O psychology for
7 years. I completed projects related to job analysis, employee selection, training,
performance appraisal, and salary equity for a variety of clients, including the
State of California Department of General Services, the State of Louisiana Department
of Law Enforcement, the State of Alaska, the State of Florida Board of Accountancy,
and the Roswell Park Cancer Institute in Buffalo, New York. I was also the Director
of Selection for the California Public Utilities Commission from 1998-2000.
Personal
I met my wife, Ann, at USF and we were married in 1997. We have three children (Holden,
6; Madison, 4; and Dylan, 2) and are expecting our fourth in April 2005.
Kevin Cook, Ph.D.
Kevin Cook, Ph.D.
Area
Industrial/Organizational 1996
Current Information
Team Leader, Consulting Services,Development Dimensions International,Pittsburgh,
PA
Current Position
I currently lead a client implementation team based in Pittsburgh. The team is unique
at DDI in that we manage client projects but also have close ties to the R&D
process. We are responsible for designing, implementing and refining new applications
and solutions to effectively meet client business needs and provide a demonstrable
ROI.
Career Highlights
I’ve been fortunate to have many varied experiences in my 8 years at DDI. I began
as a Research Consultant evaluating the effectiveness of our client solutions. I
have also managed several large-scale projects (for clients such as Bank of America,
Canadian National Rail and Bestfoods Corporation). I currently manage a small but
exciting project with the National Basketball Association. My career at DDI has
also afforded some very rewarding travel opportunities to locations such as London,
Buenos Aires, Brussels and Monterrey, Mexico.
Personal
I have been married for 11+ years and have 2 children (Jason is 5 and Lindsay is
2)
Dan Dwyer, Ph.D.
Dan Dwyer, Ph.D.
Area
Industrial/Organizational 1994
Current Information
Division Head, Human Systems Research & Engineering,Naval Air Systems Command,
Training Systems Division,Orlando, FL
Current Position
I am the head of Division made up of approximately 45 psychologists, engineers,
and training specialists who perform basic and applied research in the areas of
human performance, training, and simulation in the military. We also support the
design, development, and procurement of military weapon systems by applying what
we know about human factors, engineering, and human systems integration, and by
applying what we have learned from our research.
Career Highlights
I have written, presented, and published many papers during my career. I have traveled
to Europe and the Middle East, as well as throughout the US. I have landed (and
spent a week) on an aircraft carrier (USS Kennedy). I have met the Secretary of
the Navy (Honorable Gordon England) and the Chief of Naval Operations (Admiral Vern
Clark).
Personal
Married, two children. I enjoy woodworking, and watching my son play college lacrosse
and my daughter play high school basketball.