Tag: College of Psychology

Psychology Students Present at Research Conference

On Thursday, Aug. 10, 2023 from 1 to 3 p.m., College of Psychology students presented in the College’s fourth Student Virtual Research Conference.

Student presenter Kiara Williams

The Zoom event consisted of presentations on Trauma/Bipolar Disorder, Substance Use/Adolescence, and Clinical issues, and were offered simultaneously, which allowed participants to move from session to session. The presentation and presenters were:

  • A Literature Review on Treatment Options and Effectiveness for Anorexia Nervosa in Adolescence by Leeza Camilo
  • Alcohol Use Disorder and the Impact on Family Systems by Kathleen Andre
  • Clinical Recommendations for Treating Latine Migrant Populations that Have Experienced Trauma by Sabrina Dominguez
  • Deafness and Psychosis: All of What We Don’t Know by Alexis Israel
  • Human-Canine Bonding as a Diversion Program for Adolescents with Substance-Related and Addictive Disorders by Morgan Lawrence
  • Medical & Frontline Worker Burnout in the Age of COVID by Danny Bui
  • Neurocognitive Effects of Adolescent Depression by Chloe Christian
  • Peer-Related Social Interventions for Pediatric Survivors of Cancer A Review by Jake Metsky
  • The Intersection Between Bipolar Disorder and Trauma and Implications for Treatment by Ashley Kimbrough
  • Understanding the Phenomenology and Treatment Experience of Bipolar Disorders in the African American Population by Kiara Williams

After each presentation, the student presenters participated in a Q & A with attendees.

Student presenter Morgan Lawrence

College of Psychology faculty Amy Ellis Ph.D., Barbara Gracia-Lavin Ph.D., and Ana Fins, Ph.D., served as the faculty chairs for the presentations, while other faculty served as reviewers. The virtual conference was organized by Nurit Sheinberg, Ed.D., Wendy Burrion, and College of Psychology doctoral students Carly Cohen and Hannah Quimby.

Posted 08/13/23

Applications Open for Provost’s Research & Scholarship Awards

Starting August 7, 2023, nominations will be accepted for the annual Provost’s Research and Scholarship Awards. Last year this program was expanded to increase recognition opportunities for NSU faculty, and to improve accessibility to faculty from all academic disciplines and career stages.

The Provost’s Research and Scholarship Awards (PRSA) program now awards up to four awards. The PRSA program has two disciplinary categories and two awards within each category by career stage (one for early career and one for established faculty). Therefore, the below four awards, given sufficient candidates in each category, will be awarded annually:

  1. Assistant Professor in the Arts, Business, Humanities, Law, and Social Sciences
  2. Associate/Full Professor in the Arts, Business, Humanities, Law, and Social Sciences
  3. Assistant Professor in STEM and Health/Medicine
  4. Associate/Full Professor in STEM and Health/Medicine

The purpose of this program is to recognize demonstrated achievement in research, scholarship, and creative pursuits by NSU faculty members. These annual awards recognize distinguished accomplishments in the pursuit of research, creative, and scholarly activities across disciplines and career stages, as noted above.

More information and the link to the application is available here: http://www.nova.edu/academic-affairs/provost-award/index.html.

The deadline to submit a nomination or to self-nominate is September 6, 2023, 5:00 p.m., EDT. The winners of the Provost’s Research and Scholarship Awards will be announced in November 2023.

Posted 08/04/23

Sports Medicine Clinic Enhances Patient Care Quality

Of the many clinics at Nova Southeastern University, there is only one that is focused on athletes. Located on the first floor of NSU’s University Center, the Sports Medicine Clinic is one of the university’s interdisciplinary units. This unique clinic facilitates the exchange of knowledge and expertise among professionals that promotes a comprehensive approach to athletic care and injury prevention.

Staffed with individuals from the Dr. Kiran C. Patel College of Osteopathic Medicine and the College of Psychology, the clinic provides a beneficial opportunity for collaboration among various disciplines such as sports medicine physicians, physical therapists, athletic trainers, nutritionists, and clinical psychologists. This integration of different disciplines not only enhances the quality of patient care but also promotes a culture of holistic health and wellness on campus, which is designed to benefit both athletes and the larger NSU community.

The clinic’s administrative team includes Alessandra Posey, D.O., who serves as the Chair of the Sports Medicine Department; Lailah Issac, D.O., FAAPMR, CAQSM; and Roody Joseph, P.T., D.P.T., O.C.S. All are from the Dr. Kiran C. Patel College of Osteopathic Medicine. Also on the team is Ryan Bennett, Psy.D. Dr. Bennett is a trained neuropsychologist and works in the College of Psychology.

In describing the clinic, Dr. Bennett stated, “Our interdisciplinary Sports Medicine Clinic here at NSU truly embodies the mentality of “One team, one goal.” It is an absolute pleasure working with this outstanding team as we continually strive to reach our unified goal by utilizing our knowledge and passion to help maximize the performance of our athletes and well-being of our community.”

Additionally, the clinic serves as a practical training ground for students pursuing careers in healthcare which allows them to gain valuable firsthand experience and exposure to a diverse range of medical conditions.

For more information about this clinic, please click HERE.

Posted 06/18/23

Psychology Faculty Presents at International Conference

College of Psychology faculty, Janell Mensinger, Ph.D., presents.

On June 1, Janell Mensinger, Ph.D., fellow, Academy of Eating Disorders presented at the annual meeting of the International Conference on Eating Disorders in Washington, D.C. The paper highlighted unexpected findings on the relationship between interoception and disordered eating and was co-authored by doctoral students Katerina Rinaldi and Molly Robins, as well as CoP faculty member Paula Brochu, Ph.D. This work led to the bases for an R16 SuRE grant submission at the end of May that emphasized the need for further construct validation and inquiry into potential biases underlying the measurement of interoceptive sensibility – a critical transdiagnostic factor in mental and physical well-being.

The Academy for Eating Disorders Annual Meeting this year was special for multiple reasons. It was the organization’s 30-year anniversary, and it represented a much-needed reunion of clinicians and researchers in the field of eating disorders after three years of pandemic-related virtual meetings where the meaningful networking and face-to-face connections cannot be replicated.

Paula Brochu, Ph.D., and Janell Mensinger, Ph.D., making connections with Canadian collaborator Sarah Nutter, Ph.D.; Denver collaborator Erin Harrop, Ph.D.; and Florida School of Professional Psychology doctoral candidate Alexis Dosal.

Our students benefitted tremendously from the networking opportunities afforded by this in-person annual event after beginning their academic careers during the throes of a global pandemic that thwarted these invaluable experiences.

In a related project, Mensinger led a paper recently published in a special issue of the journal Eating Behaviors titled “The Integration of Eating Disorders and High Body Weight (https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S1471015323000302). This work represents the first publication, co-authored by clinical psychology doctoral students (Benjamin Shepherd, Stevie Schapiro, and Yashvi Aware) and CoP colleague (Paula Brochu, Ph.D.) out of the new CHEERS lab (Connecting to Heal Eating distress with Empowerment and Resilience for all Sizes, https://cheerslab.wordpress.com).

Posted 06/18/23

NSU Alums Honored at First Black School Psych Summit

From left, NSU College of Psychology student Kethaki Karunathilake; Aline Milfort, Psy.D.; Tiara Bland, Ed.D.; and NSU College of Psychology student Asia Flagg.

On April 27 and 28, 2023, NSU alums Tiara Bland, Ed.D., and Aline Milfort, Psy.D. organized the inaugural Black School Psych Summit in Atlanta, Georgia. Per the organizers, the summit’s aim was “to support, elevate, and advance the work of Black school psychologists”.

From left, NSU Alumnae Aline Milfort, Psy.D. and Tiara Bland, Ed.D., both NSU Distinguished Alumni recipients.

Both Bland and Milfort founded the Black School Psychologists Network (BSPN) and created the summit to have a safe space where practitioners could feel a sense of belonging and support while accessing resources that would help them in their profession. Milfort completed her doctorate degree in School Psychology in 2022 while Bland completed her specialist in School Psychology in 2017.

The summit welcomed more than 475 registered attendees and included a legends panel, featured sessions, breakout sessions, live podcasts, and interviews from a wide range of Black school psychologists. There was also an exhibit hall, poster sessions, panel discussions, and an awards ceremony celebrating Black excellence.

As part of the award ceremony, Bland and Milfort received NSU’s Distinguished Alumni Award for their pivotal efforts with BSPN and the summit.

NSU College of Psychology’s doctoral program in School Psychology is accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of the American Psychological Association. Its School Psychology Specialist degree is Florida Department of Education approved and holds the designation of National Recognition by the National Association of School Psychologists.

Posted 05/21/23

Psychology Faculty, Students Make Humanitarian Trip to Jordan

In keeping with its mission to assist the wider community, NSU College of Psychology faculty and students traveled to Jordan during the 2023 spring break, where they provided psychological support services and donated items to refugee children and their families. This annual humanitarian trip was last completed in March 2019 prior to the COVID-19 pandemic lockdown.

Led by faculty Oraib Toukhly, Psy.D., Stephen Campbell, Ph.D., and Gene Cash, Ph.D., ABPP, and accompanied students from the College’s Humanitarian Global Outreach (HGO) student organization, the group visited various refugee sites in Jordan. The sites included camps such as Al-Hussein, Al-Baqaa, and Hittin as well as the Our Lady of the Mountain Church.

Posted 05/21/23

Psychology Professor Gives Keynote on Youth Mental Health

Miami-Dade Mayor Daniella Levine Cava and NSU College of Psychology professor Scott Poland, Ed.D.

NSU College of Psychology professor Scott Poland, Ed.D., presented the keynote address at the Miami Dade-County and Miami Dade County Schools Youth Mental Health Summit held on Tuesday, March 28, 2023.

The event, held at the University of Miami Newman’s Alumni Center, was attended by Miami-Dade County Mayor Daniella Levine Cava, Miami-Dade Public Schools Superintendent Jose L. Dotres, administrators, mental health professionals, agency representatives as well as University of Miami staff.

The purpose of the summit was to expand the conversation between educators and Miami-Dade County services providers regarding the status of mental health services and approaches for children living in the county.

Poland’s keynote presentation, titled “Supporting Children’s Mental Health in a Traumatic World”, described the increased stress factors that affect youth. These factors included social media, racial and political tension, global warming, and the COVID-19 pandemic.

He highlighted the growing need to increase the number of mental health professionals in the state’s school districts. He added that Florida’s spending in support of school mental health services ranks lower when compared to other states. Moreover, some states spend twice as well per student, when compared to Florida. This increase in spending has allowed these states to provide better student services and offer more resources for mental health professionals.

During his presentation, Poland referenced a US Surgeon General advisory on youth mental health. The advisory offered numerous recommendations for caregivers, schools, and students. In closing, Poland asserted that mental health was essential to overall health and more needed to be done to address the barriers that contribute to poor mental health for youth.

Poland is a professor in the NSU College of Psychology and is the co-director of the Suicide and Violence Prevention Office at the university. He is a licensed psychologist and an internationally recognized expert on school safety, youth suicide, self-injury, bullying, school crisis prevention/intervention, threat assessment and parenting in challenging times. He has authored or co-authored five books and many chapters and articles on these subjects and has served as a legal expert in a number of lawsuits.

Posted 05/21/23

NSU Faculty Members Receive Grant for Alzheimer’s Research

Benedict C. Albensi, Ph.D.

Nova Southeastern University researchers Benedict C. Albensi, Ph.D., BCMAS, CRQM; and Lisa Robison, Ph.D.; recently received a National Institutes of Health (NIH) grant for their research on Alzheimer’s disease.

They will receive $616,000 over a period of four years for their project titled “Sex-based differences of a high fat diet in Alzheimer’s disease (AD): Can nilotinib reverse bioenergetic and neuropathological deficits?” The grant was given under the NIH Department of Health and Human Services’ National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke.

Professor Albensi – the principal investigator of the project – is the chair of the Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences with the Barry and Judy Silverman College of Pharmacy. Robison – the co-investigator – is an assistant professor in the Department of Psychology and Neuroscience at NSU’s College of Psychology.

“This grant specifically looks at a couple key features of Alzheimer’s disease that I have been studying for several years,” Albensi said.

  1. Sex differences: About two thirds of women get AD and we do not exactly know why that is the case. Longevity alone does not explain why. This study will look at sex differences with an emphasis on brain metabolism.
  2. Diet and exercise have a tremendous effect on our health and specifically on brain metabolism. Some scientists estimate we can reduce both AD and cancer by 40-50% with better nutrition and optimal exercise. This study will look at the effects of high fat diets, especially fats that are not healthy for us.
  3. In this study we will look at ways to reverse the negative effects of a high fat diet.

“So overall I have been studying and publishing on sex differences, memory dysfunction, brain metabolism, mitochondrial dysfunction, nutritional interventions, in AD,” Albensi said. “My co-investigator, Lisa Robison, has also been studying sex differences in AD and memory changes in AD.”

Research reported in this publication was supported by the National Institute Of Neurological Disorders And Stroke of the National Institutes of Health under Award Number R16NS134540. The content is solely the responsibility of the authors and does not necessarily represent the official views of the National Institutes of Health.

Posted 05/07/23

Psychology Alum Spins the Wheel, Wins Cash, Prizes

Matthew Jalazo, Psy.D.

“I’d like to buy a vowel.”

Contestants on Wheel of Fortune excitedly utter these words to host Pat Sajak and then hope Vanna White uncovers the letters they have chosen. NSU College of Psychology alumnus Matthew Jalazo, Psy.D., recently became one of those contestants. He spun the wheel and solved the puzzle—several puzzles, in fact.

Jalazo’s turn on the popular game show earned him $26,000 in cash and prizes, including a trip to Costa Rica.

His 15-minutes of fame—technically 22 minutes without commercial interruption—was the culmination of a journey that began when he was eight years old and first saw the colors of the wheel on his grandmother’s kitchen countertop television. He was in his 20s when his cousin got to meet Bob Barker on The Price is Right. She got to hear her name called with the phrase, “Come on down. You’re the next contestant on The Price is Right,” but unfortunately lost the game. Jalazo joked to her that it was now his singular life mission to get on The Price is Right to fix that disgrace to the family.

He did eventually audition for a spot on The Price is Right, and then tried using his celebrity impression of wrestler Hulk Hogan at a casting call for Deal or No Deal. Unfortunately, he didn’t make the cut for either show.

In November of 2022, Jalazo happened to see an advertisement inviting super fans of wrestling to try out for Wheel of Fortune, so he made a video and sent in the application. He was invited to a zoom audition, solved sample puzzles, and even dressed up as Hulk Hogan to entertain the casting committee and show his passion for wrestling. He remembered them laughing hysterically at his impersonation. Two hours later, he got the call to be a contestant, albeit not for WWE Week.

“They liked my energy and my enthusiasm, but not my wrestler impressions,” Jalazo said.

Jalazo traveled to California to be on Wheel of Fortune and put his psychology background to use when prepping for his appearance. Banking on his knowledge that it’s impossible to feel two emotions at once, he made sure he went into the taping feeling completely relaxed so it would be difficult to feel nervous. His goal was to be relatable—striking the balance between being entertaining and being ruthless in playing to win.

“I wanted to be a likeable, fun contestant, but I also wanted to play in a way that showed people I was taking the game seriously, because I understood I was very fortunate to get selected,” Jalazo said.

An army veteran and father of a 16-year-old son, Jalazo is a forensic psychologist and serves on the faculty of Albizu University. He has also participated in open mic nights for stand-up comedy.

“I tend to enjoy creative, spontaneous things where I get to show my personality,” he said. “It’s a nice balance with the serious work that I do.”

And while Wheel of Fortune is truly a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity, Jalazo’s dream of competing on game shows isn’t done. His next goal is to appear on Let’s Make a Deal. He still wants to dress up as a professional wrestler and show off his Hulk Hogan impersonation to a televised audience.

“If you have a dream – whether trying to be a national game show, or something else that you think is not within reach – go, get it,” Jalazo said. “Appearing on Wheel of Fortune was an amazing experience—one I’ll carry with me for the rest of my life. But had I not been looking at my computer for five minutes on that Wednesday morning, it wouldn’t have happened.”

“The message is to be open to life experiences each and every day. No dream is too big.”

Posted 05/10/23

College of Psychology Receives ASCA Recognition

On February 1, 2023, the College of Psychology’s M.S. in Counseling: School Counseling concentration earned national recognition through the American School Counselor Association (ASCA) Specialized Professional Association (SPA) under the Council for the Accreditation of Educator Preparation (CAEP). Per ASCA, their school counselor preparation program standards, “are a unified set of principles guiding school counselor preparation programs in training effective future school counselors in areas of professional practice and ethical behavior.”

NSU is the first-ever program to be awarded this national recognition. Attaining this specialty recognition was an essential component of maintaining CAEP accreditation as an advanced program, and it required the School Counseling program to demonstrate that they met each of the ASCA School Counselor Preparation Program Standards. In May 2022, the program was also granted the Council for the Accreditation of Educator Preparation (CAEP) accreditation with the Fischler College of Education & School of Criminal Justice.

The School Counseling concentration is one of five options offered as part of the M.S. in Counseling program. The concentration, which consists of 48 credit hours, is offered online. As part of the curriculum, students attend two residential institutes on campus.

More information about the ASCA SPA can be found HERE.

Posted 03/06/23

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