Dr. Taunjah Patrease Bell’s Vita 465 East Ridgeway Street Jackson, Mississippi 39206 (601) 979‐3386 [office] (404) 933‐1271 [cellular]
[email protected] OBJECTIVE To secure a position in the field of Experimental Psychology, work with an academic team interested in behavioral neuroscience research, and utilize the solid knowledge, skills, abilities, and scientific training developed in the Behavioral Psychology, Psychobiology, Psychopharmacology, and Non‐Human Animal Behavioral Testing laboratories at Southern Illinois University‐Carbondale. EDUCATION Ph.D., Experimental Psychology with honors, Southern Illinois University‐Carbondale, Carbondale, IL, May 2007 Dissertation: A Study of the Effects of Vagus Nerve Stimulation (VNS) on Anxiety in Laboratory Rats. Area of Specialization: Behavioral Neuroscience/Brain and Cognitive Sciences, GPA: 4.0 M.A., Experimental Psychology with honors, University of Northern Iowa, Cedar Falls, IA, July 1999 B.A., Psychology with honors, University of South Florida, Sarasota, FL, May 1995 TEACHING EXPERIENCE August 2008‐present, Visiting Assistant Professor of Psychology, Jackson State University (Please see details listed under Professional Experience) PSY 211:01 Statistics I (3 credits) PSY 212:01 Statistics II (3 credits) PSY 411:01 Learning (3 credits) PSY 415:01 Experimental Psychology (4 credits) August 2005‐May 2006, Graduate Teaching Assistant, Southern Illinois University‐ Carbondale PSY 211:101‐102 Statistics and Research Methods (4 credit hours) Served as teaching assistant for Dr. Josephine Korchmaros’ Research Methods and Statistics courses in the fall of 2005 through the spring of 2006; assisted with course planning and test preparation. Prepared and conducted lectures both semesters. Instructed the laboratory sections of the Research Methods and Statistics course, managed students’ course‐related information on paper and online via WebCT and used the latest computer technology (SmartBoard), programs and software (e.g., Microsoft Office Power Point, Windows, Word, EXCEL, and SPSS) to present lecture material and to assist students in
the computer lab sections of this course. Organized group and individual study sessions, conducted test reviews, and administered/proctored unit exams. Facilitated group discussions and assisted students with library research and internet searches for their group research projects. Assisted students with planning, designing, and developing group research projects. Assisted students with developing and submitting human subjects research protocols for approval by the Internal Review Board. Assisted students with developing human subjects agreement forms, informed consent forms, and debriefing forms. Assisted students with conducting and completing experimental sessions, collecting data during the experimental sessions, and entering as well as analyzing data using Microsoft Office Excel and SPSS. Assisted students with interpreting their research results and preparing data for group presentations using Microsoft Office Power Point and other internet software. Accommodated student with special needs. August 1997‐May 1998, Graduate Teaching Assistant, University of Northern Iowa, Cedar Falls PSYC 400:163g (Special Topics) Social and Cognitive Development (4 credit hours) Served as a teaching assistant for Dr. Carolyn Hildebrandt’s Social and Cognitive Development class in the fall of 1997 through the spring of 1998. Assisted with lectures, assignments, and in‐class demonstrations. Assisted with test preparation. Conducted test reviews and proctored unit tests. Organized group and individual study sessions. Facilitated in‐class group discussions. Conducted library research and prepared an extensive annotated bibliography. Accommodated students with visual disability. Presented new and innovative teaching ideas to the professor. January 1998‐May 1998, Graduate Teaching Assistant, University of Northern Iowa, Cedar Falls PSYC 400:173g Psychology of Aging (4credit hours) Assigned to be the teaching assistant for Dr. Julia Wallace’s Psychology of Aging course in the spring of 1998. Assisted faculty with the preparation and presentation of lecture materials. Coordinated and facilitated group discussions in class. Assisted students with research on individual topics selected for oral presentation at the end of the semester. Designed test questions, developed unit tests, and administered unit tests. Prepared and administered in‐class quizzes. Prepared and conducted tests reviews. Organized and lead study sessions. Presented the professor with new ideas for students to earn extra credit to increase their exam scores and maximize their final grade. Conducted library research, located current internet websites on aging issues, and presented current research to the professor to assist with the writing of a textbook on theories of aging (e.g., stability vs. change in human personality over the lifespan) for publication. August 1997‐May 1998, Graduate Teaching Assistant, University of Northern Iowa, Cedar Falls PSYC 400:152g Sensation and Perception (4 credit hours) Served as teaching assistant for Dr. Andrew Gilgen’s Sensation and Perception class beginning in the fall of 1997 until the end of the spring semester of 1998. Assisted with editing custom course study packet. Presented lecture materials. Facilitated in‐class group discussions.
Fostered interaction as well as communication among students. Proctored unit tests. Organized and conducted study sessions. Presented ideas for new assignments to the professor and offered opportunities for extra credit to the students. Provided support to faculty and students as needed. RESEARCH EXPERIENCE Graduate Research Assistantships: August 2002‐May 2007, Doctoral Research, Southern Illinois University‐Carbondale Served as a graduate research assistant and the laboratory manager in the Psychobiology, Psychopharmacology, and Behavioral Testing Laboratories. Developed specialization project that included writing a research plan and involved completing a grant application for submission to the National Science Foundation and the National Institutes of Health. Developed and coordinated dissertation research project designed to study the effects of vagus nerve stimulation on anxiety. Prepared and submitted laboratory animal research protocols (surgical procedure and behavioral testing) for approval by the Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee at Southern Illinois University‐Carbondale. Performed stereotaxic surgery, conducted pre‐surgery and post‐ surgery animal monitoring and caretaking. Administered cholinergic muscarinic antagonist, atropine methylnitrate, or saline and delivered electrical or sham stimulation to examine the effects of drug and stimulation on anxiety‐related behavioral responses. Designed data collection sheets used to record data during behavioral testing sessions. Conducted videotaped behavioral testing sessions using the open field, elevated plus‐maze, and predator scent task measures. Trained research assistants on animal handling, post‐surgery animal care, data collection, data entry, and data presentation. Collected, scored, entered, and checked data. Managed subjects’ files and analyzed data using the Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS) and Microsoft Office Excel. Presented research and results using Microsoft Office Power Point. Managed/supervised undergraduate and graduate research assistants. Managed the budget for the Anxiety Study (i.e., A Study of the Effects of Vagus Nerve Stimulation on Anxiety in Laboratory Rats) funded by grants from the National Institutes of Health and the National Science Foundation. The Anxiety Study was also funded by the Dr. James Walker Graduate Fellowship Research Award and the Dr. James Walker Graduate Fellowship awarded to me by The Graduate School at Southern Illinois University‐Carbondale. Assisted with managing the budgets for the National Institutes of Health (NIH) and the National Science Foundation (NSF) grants awarded to the Psychopharmacology, Psychobiology, Behavioral Testing, Electrophysiology, and Tissue Regeneration Laboratories at Southern Illinois University‐ Carbondale. These grants were used to fund a series of studies including the Anxiety Study, and the grants were awarded to Dr. Robert A. Jensen (Principal Investigator on the NSF grant and Co‐Investigator on the NIH grant) and Dr. Douglas C. Smith (Principal Investigator on the NIH grant and Co‐Investigator on the NSF grant). Ordered research supplies, surgical instruments, and other tools and equipment needed for the laboratories; designed and maintained weight and feeding logs for all laboratory animals; monitored and tracked animals’ health status and reported problems to Veterinarian/Vivarium staff as needed. Dr. Robert A. Jensen, Professor in the Department of Psychology and the Department of Anatomy and former Associate Provost of Southern Illinois University‐Carbondale.
August 2002‐June 2003, Senior Researcher, Human Participants and Non‐Human Subjects Behavioral Psychology Laboratories, Southern Illinois University‐Carbondale Served as a graduate research assistant in the Behavioral Psychology Laboratories where I managed both the human subjects and small animals (male and female Long‐Evans hooded rats) studies on judgment, decision‐making, and impulse behavior. Managed the undergraduate research assistants in the Behavioral Psychology Laboratories. Supervised and conducted behavioral testing sessions in the non‐human subjects laboratory. Scheduled, supervised, and conducted experimental testing sessions in the human participants laboratory. Trained research assistants on handling, weighing, feeding, and taking care of animals. Trained research assistants on collecting, entering, interpreting, and presenting data. Prepared and maintained the work schedule for the undergraduate research assistants in both laboratories. Designed data collection sheets used to record data during behavioral testing sessions. Collected, entered, checked, and presented data. Scheduled laboratory meetings and presented data from scholarly, peer‐reviewed journals and the Behavioral Psychology Laboratories at various meetings. Dr. Eric A. Jacobs, Associate Professor in the Department of Psychology and Director of the Behavioral Psychology Laboratories at SIU Carbondale. August 1996‐May 1999, Masters Research, University of Northern Iowa, Cedar Falls Served as a graduate research assistant and project coordinator for the Games Research Group in the Department of Psychology and the Department of Education. Replicated and extended previous study of differential effects of cooperative and competitive board games and physical activities on the cooperative and aggressive behaviors of young children between seven and nine years of age. Designed the data collection sheets and other research materials used to collect data during the experimental sessions of this study. Assessed the socio‐moral climate of the classroom as well as the level of fun or enjoyment experienced and reported by the participants. Dr. Carolyn Hildebrandt, Professor in the Department of Psychology and in the Regents’ Center for Early Developmental Education in the Department of Education at UNI. PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE August 2008‐Present, Visiting Assistant Professor, Jackson State University, Jackson, Mississippi Serve as Visiting Assistant Professor of Psychology at Jackson State University (JSU), a historically black university located in urban Mississippi. Taught senior‐level classes including Learning (PSY 411‐01; 3 hrs.) and Experimental Psychology (PSY 415‐01; 4 hrs.) during the fall 2008 and spring 2009 semesters. Taught Statistics I (PSY 211‐01; 3 hrs.) in the fall 2008 semester and Statistics II (PSY 212‐01; 3 hrs.) in the spring 2009 semester. Supervised and mentored a first‐year graduate student assigned as the teaching assistant for all courses instructed by me during the fall 2008 and spring 2009 semesters. Served as the faculty advisor for the Graduate Psychology Organization at JSU. Designed the curriculum and developed the coursework and testing
materials for all classes instructed by me. Conducted two exam review sessions before every exam administered in each class both semesters; therefore, a total of 36 exam review sessions were conducted during my first academic year at JSU. Served as mentor for undergraduate student in the Ronald E. McNair Post‐Baccalaureate Achievement Program at JSU. July 2001‐July2002, Program Director, University of Northern Iowa, Cedar Falls Served as Program Director for Gaining Early Awareness and Readiness for Undergraduate Programs (GEAR UP), a government‐ funded program awarded to UNI to provide academic support, social services, cultural enrichment, and financial assistance to Logan Middle School in Waterloo, Iowa. Supervised program staff, managed undergraduate teaching assistants, and coordinated activities of community volunteers. Assisted school principals/faculty/parents with meeting the needs of the middle school students and their families. Ensured that the academic and social objectives of the grant were operationalized and implemented by faculty and staff and ensured that our team met all the objectives of the grant. Attended School Board meetings in Waterloo, IA, to ensure that the GEAR UP Program staff would provide support to improve the academic (e.g., reading, writing, spelling, and math) and social skills of the Logan Middle School students. Met with the grant officer in Washington, DC, to maintain 100% compliance with federal rules and regulations for GEAR UP. Maintained the grant budget and prepared annual, monthly, weekly, and daily reports. Secured matching grant funds from community‐based sources. May 2001‐May 2002, Program Evaluator, University of Northern Iowa, Cedar Falls Served as Program Evaluator for Gaining Early Awareness and Readiness for Undergraduate Programs (GEAR UP) at Logan Middle School in Waterloo, Iowa. Evaluated teachers to ensure that they were in compliance with the grant objectives outlined by the federal government. Monitored classrooms to ensure that teachers were providing students with age‐appropriate opportunities for academic enrichment. Encouraged teachers to foster an environment for students to engage in cooperative learning activities and experience positive social interactions. Identified GEAR UP students at risk for retention and coordinated as well as supervised the testing and assessment of retention list students. Developed and completed assessments of teachers and students and successfully conducted program evaluations that focused on analyzing data involving Logan Middle School students’ test scores including Iowa Test of Basic Skills (ITBS) scores and Standardized Test for the Assessment of Reading (STAR) scores to determine whether the objectives of the grant and the goals of the Teachers/faculty/principal/vice‐principal/support staff were met. July 2001‐July 2002, Lead Spanish Teacher, University of Northern Iowa, Cedar Falls Served as Spanish Teacher for Gaining Early Awareness and Readiness for Undergraduate Programs (GEAR UP) and taught Spanish to English students in grades 6‐8 at Logan Middle School. Coordinated the academic curriculum and developed lesson plans designed to expose students to cultural and educational aspects of the language and the people. Encouraged students to use effective communication skills when learning to speak Spanish. Organized classroom activities and supervised community‐based outings (fieldtrips) designed to enrich
students’ Spanish grammar, reading, writing, speaking, and math skills. Supervised and trained the teacher/project assistant. August 1999‐April 2001, Qualified Mental Retardation Professional (QMRP), Hillsborough County Developmental Center, Tampa, Florida Served as the QMRP for 64 patients/clients living in a long‐term intermediate care facility for developmentally disabled (ICF/DD) adults between the ages of 18 and 65. Successfully managed a caseload of patients/clients diagnosed with multiple disorders including Mental Retardation, Developmentally Disabled, Physically Disabled, Learning Disabled, Schizophrenia, Bipolar Depression, and Psychosis. Developed, coordinated, and monitored the habilitation processes for assigned clients and assured that each individual was provided with an Individual Habilitation Plan of Care, services and active treatment programming designed to address specific individual needs. Implemented habilitation plans to offer individuals the opportunity to engage in activities of daily living that provided them the opportunity to become as independent and self‐sufficient as possible. Assessed clients and worked with the interdisciplinary habilitation team that included a Physician, Psychiatrist, Physical Therapist, Speech Therapist, Occupational Therapist, Program Director, and Physical and Nutritional Management Trainer/Therapist along with a Parent/Guardian to identify each client’s needs and assist with meeting all habilitation plan goals. Provided support, direction, and evaluation to clients working toward habilitation, vocational, occupational, and/or therapeutic goals. Assured that each client’s quality of care, services, programming and training were provided in accordance with federal and state standards, laws, and regulations. Supervised, assisted, trained, and in‐serviced 12‐16 employees including direct care staff, home managers, and home manager assistants on all three shifts; also responsible for hiring and firing as well as recommending and implementing necessary disciplinary actions of employees on all three shifts. Maintained compliance with state and federal laws/regulations, and accurately completed as well as made available all necessary documentation in a timely manner. August 1995‐June 1996, Lead Head Start Teacher, James E. Scott Community Association (JESCA), Miami, Florida Served as the Lead HeadStart teacher for 20 students enrolled in a government‐funded Early Childhood Development program for low‐income families with children between the ages of 3 and 4. Designed and implemented the daily lesson plans for each day of learning in the program. Provided educational, cultural, and social activities for all children enrolled in the HeadStart program at Center One in Liberty Square. Developed an individualized education plan (IEP) and organized community resources for each student in my classroom. Chaperoned students on all community‐based outings (fieldtrips) and important office visits to the doctor, dentist, optician, optometrist, hearing specialist, speech‐language pathologist, and other scheduled appointments at the local Family Health Center and at the University of Miami Medical Center in Coral Gables. Supervised the teaching assistant assigned to assist with daily lesson preparation, organization, and implementation. Conducted home visits to meet with the parent(s), guardian(s), and other family members of each student in our classroom to discuss the individual’s progress and the needs (i.e., educational, developmental, medical, psychological, social, emotional, behavioral, financial, and personal) of the child. ABSTRACTS AND PRESENTATIONS
Kostyuk, N., Rajnarayanan, R. V., Isokpehi, R. D., Yeager, M., Mann, H., Konstantin, K., Williams, B., Sims, J., Howcroft, S. J., Bell, T., and Cohly, H. H. P. Bio‐electrographic method in detecting heterogeneity and unique features in autism. Presented at the 2009 Annual Meeting of the Jackson State University College of Science, Engineering, and Technology Bell, T. P., Smith, D. C., Jacobs, E. A., Hoane, M. R., and Jensen, R. A. Effects of vagus nerve stimulation on anxiety in rats. Presented at the 2005 Annual Meeting of the Society for Neuroscience Hildebrandt, C., Bell, T., Zan, B., and Stoeckel, T. Differential benefits of cooperative and competitive games in first graders. Presented at the 1999 Annual Meeting of the Association for Moral Education WORKS IN PROGRESS Bell, T. P. Effects of vagus nerve stimulation on anxiety‐related behaviors in laboratory rats. Prepared manuscript for submission to Behavioral Neuroscience in 2009 Bell, T. P., and Cohly, H. H. P. Gas discharge visualization and vagus nerve stimulation: Innovative tools with the potential to shed light on the mechanism of action of vagus nerve stimulation. Prepared manuscript for submission to Biological Psychiatry in 2009 Cohly, H. H. P., and Bell, T. P. Preparing grant application for Funding Opportunity Number: W81XWH‐09‐PH/TBIRP‐CA, Program Announcement, Department of Defense Congressionally Directed Medical Research Programs, Psychological Health/Traumatic Brain Injury (PH/TBI) Research Program, Concept Award (2009), Cohly, H. H. P., Bell, T. P., and Prosser, V. Preparing grant application for PROGRAM SOLICITATION NSF 08‐514: Collaborative Research in Computational Neuroscience (CRCNS), Innovative Approaches to Science and Engineering Research on Brain Function (2009) ACADEMIC SERVICE ‐ Research Advisor, Jackson State University, Department of Psychology, Graduate Program in Clinical Psychology ‐ Member, Quality Enhancement Committee (QEP), Jackson State University (2009‐present) ‐ Mentor, Ronald E. McNair Post‐Baccalaureate Achievement Program (2009‐present) ‐ Caucus Leader, Intergenerational Leadership Forum, Illinois State Senate (2007) ‐ Vice‐President, Graduate Registered Student Association (GRSA), SIU Carbondale (2003). ‐ Member, Search Committee for Director of Campus Computing, USF Sarasota (1995). ‐ Tutor, English for Students of Other Languages (ESOL), MCC Bradenton (1993‐1995). PROFESSIONAL AFFILIATIONS ‐ Mississippi Psychological Association (MPA) ‐ American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS). ‐ Society for Neuroscience (SFN).
‐ American Psychological Association (APA). ‐ Association for Psychological Science (APS). ‐ Mid‐American Association of Educational Opportunity Program Personnel (MAEOPP) HONORS/AWARDS ‐ Voted Psychology Teacher of the Year, Department of Psychology, JSU, August 2008‐May 2009 ‐ Recipient, James Walker Graduate Fellowship Research Award, August 2006 ‐ Recipient, James Walker Graduate Fellowship, SIU Carbondale, August 2006‐May 2007. ‐ Recipient, Graduate Teaching Assistantship Stipend, SIU Carbondale, August 2005‐May 2006. ‐ Recipient, Graduate Research Assistantship Stipend, SIU Carbondale, August 2002‐June 2005. ‐ Recipient, Graduate Research Award, UNI Cedar Falls, October 1998. ‐ Recipient, Graduate Tuition Scholarship, UNI Cedar Falls, January 1996‐May 1999. ‐ Recipient, Graduate Research Assistantship Stipend, UNI Cedar Falls, January 1996‐May 1999. ‐ Recipient, Graduate Teaching Assistantship Stipend, UNI Cedar Falls, August 1997‐December 1998. ‐ Member, Dean’s List, USF Sarasota, May 1995. ‐ Candidate, National Dean’s List Scholarship Award, USF Sarasota, August 1994. DISTINCTIONS ‐ Marquis Who’s Who in America featured biographee in 2007, 2008, and 2009 ‐ Manchester Who’s Who Among Executive and Professional Women Psychologists in Mental Health and Human Wellness candidate ‐ The National Scholars Honor Society member ‐ The Gamma Beta Phi Society member ‐ The Honor Society of Phi Kappa Phi, SIUC Chapter, member ‐ The International Honor Society of Phi Theta Kappa member ‐ Arts and Sciences Honor Society, USF Sarasota Campus, member