centre college kai mccormack, ph.d. spelman...

FacultyAdvancementGrant,2015

ResearchinPrimateBehavior:

AnInter‐InstitutionalScienceCourseinBarbados

MelissaBurns‐Cusato,Ph.D.CentreCollege

KaiMcCormack,Ph.D.SpelmanCollege

Burns‐Cusato&McCormack‐2‐

Introduction

Theobjectiveofthisproposalistodevelopaninternational,inter‐institutionalscience

course.Thecourse,ResearchinPrimateBehavior,willbringtogetherstudentsfromseveralACS

campuses(SpelmanCollege,CentreCollege,RhodesCollege,MorehouseCollegeandtheUniversity

oftheSouth)tostudyferalgreenmonkeys(Chlorocebussaebus)attheBarbadosWildlifeReserve.

Toourknowledge,thisisthefirstinternationalcoursethatinvolvesfiveACSinstitutions.

Weanticipateseveraladvantagesfrombringingtogetherstudentsfromtheselectedschools

inacommoncourse.First,noneofthetargetedinstitutionsprovidemanyopportunitiestostudy

scienceabroad.Ofthosethatdoexist,veryfewareofferedinthesummer.Giventhis,the

proposedcoursefillsavoidthatexistsonallfivecampuses.Secondly,offeringthecourseatboth

HBCUandnon‐HBCUinstitutions,inthreedifferentstates,willcreateadiversecohortofstudents,

tobeexposedtoawiderangeofperspectivesandideas.Thiswillfuelthought‐provoking

discussionsandfacilitateconnectionsamongstthestudents’newACSpeers.Finally,offeringthis

coursetostudentsatfivedifferentinstitutionsshouldlowerthecostperstudentbecausewe

anticipateachievingtheenrollmenttargetof18students.(Eighteenstudentsallowsforthemost

economicalhousingandgroundtransportationfees.)Furthermore,insteadofpayingfivedifferent

instructorstoteachfivecampus‐specificcourses,thisinter‐institutionalcoursewillbetaughtby

onlytwoinstructors,bothexpertsinprimatefieldresearch.

Thegoalofthecourseistodevelop,withinourstudents,anunderstandingofanimal

behaviorinthecontextoftheenvironment.Thecourseobjectivesareforstudentsto1)gaina

thoroughunderstandingofthebehaviorofgreenmonkeys;2)developproficiencyinthemethods

anddataanalysistechniquescommonlyusedinfieldresearch;3)demonstrateaptitudeinoral

presentationskillsrelatedtothescientificmethod;4)gainanappreciationfortherichculture,


historyandecologyofBarbados,especiallyastheyrelatetogreenmonkeys;5)identifywaysto

improveorsustainthedeterioratingnaturalhabitatofthegreenmonkeys.

Activities

1)Gainathoroughunderstandingofthebehaviorofgreenmonkeys

Inordertoprepareforthecourse,Dr.Burns‐CusatoandDr.McCormackplantodevelopa

sharedwebpage,inwhichpre‐departurereadingscanbeaccessed,aswellasadiscussionboardto

whichstudentswillbeexpectedtocontribute.(Inaddition,therewillbeavirtualmeetandgreet

inApril,inwhichthestudentsacrossthecampusescanlogontotheircomputerandbeintroduced

totheinstructorsandotherstudents.)Readingswillincludeonebook,HowMonkeysSeethe

World,byCheneyandSeyfarthandseveralresearcharticlesdescribinggreenmonkeysandthe

closelyrelatedvervetmonkey(Chlorocebusceropithicus).Throughoutthecourse,studentswill

conductfieldobservationsofthemonkeysduringtheday,andpresentbookchaptersandarticles

asthebasisfordiscussionduringeveningclassmeetings.Inthisway,themonkeyobservations

conductedattheBarbadosWildlifeReserve,thereadings,andtheeveningclassdiscussionswill

beintertwined.

2)Developproficiencyinthemethodsanddataanalysistechniquesusedinfieldresearch

Inadditiontoreadingaboutprimatebehavior,studentswillalsoreadthetextbook

MeasuringBehaviourbyMartinandBatesonandrelatedarticlesdescribingfieldresearch

techniques.Practicalandtheoreticalissueswillbediscussedineveningclassmeetings.Working

ingroups,studentswillusethisinformation,andtheirknowledgeofgreenmonkeybehavior,to

developaresearchprojectthatutilizesafieldresearchmethodologytoexamineahypothesisof

theirowninterest.StudentswillcollectdatadailyattheBarbadosWildlifeReserve,wherethree

troopsofmonkeyshabituatedtohumansareknowntovisitregularly.Towardstheendofthe


course,studentswillanalyzetheirdataandthenpresenttheirfindingsinaprofessional‐style

writtenreportandoralresearchpresentation.

3)Demonstrateaptitudeinoralpresentationskillsrelatedtothescientificmethod

Eachstudentwillmakeseveraloralpresentations.Feedbackwillbeprovidedintheformof

writtencommentsonagradingrubricanddiscussionwiththeprofessors.

4)Gainanappreciationfortherichculture,historyandecologyofBarbados

Approximatelysevenclasseswillbedevotedtothediscussionofassignedhistoricaland

culturalreadings.Inaddition,eachstudentwillbeexpectedtoresearchanaspectofBarbadian

culture,history,orecology,anddevelopa15‐minuteoralpresentation.Readingsandresearchwill

beaugmentedbyseveralexcursionsrelatedtothehistory,culture,food,andecologyoftheisland

(seeTimetable).Finally,severalBarbadiannativeshaveagreedtogiveguestlecturesaboutthe

island(seeTimetable).

5)Identifywaystoimproveorsustainthedeterioratingnaturalhabitatofthegreenmonkeys

Barbadosistrailingbehindotherdevelopedcountriesintheattitudestowards

environmentalsustainability.Litter,uncheckederosion,overdevelopment,andclear‐cuttingare

common.Thesedestructivepracticesimpactboththemonkeyandhumaninhabitantsofthe

island.Studentswilllearnaboutcurrentattitudesandpracticesofthenativepopulationthrough

fieldtrips,guestspeakers,andhomevisits.Theywillthendevelopandexecuteaservicedaythat

willensurethegroupmakesapositiveimpactontheenvironment.Theserviceprojectwillbe

developedwiththeguidanceofnativenaturalists,DebbieBrankerandKarlWatson.Theservice

projectmayalsooccurinconjunctionwithCanadianstudentsattendingsummercoursesatthe

BellairsResearchInstitute(McGillUniversity).


Logistics

Dr.Burns‐CusatoandDr.McCormackhavebeengrantedpermissionfromtheBarbados

WildlifeReservetobringstudentstheredailytoconductbehavioralobservations.Housing

accommodationshavealreadybeenidentified,andweanticipate2‐3studentssharingaroom,

whichwillalsohaveakitchen.Thehousingsiteissituatedinalocalcommunityinwhichthereare

shops,restaurants,grocerystores,laundryfacilities,anda24‐hrmedicalcenter.Guestspeakers

havebeenidentifiedandhaveagreedtopresenttoourstudents.

TimetableJanuary,2016 AcceptanceofProgramApplicationsFebruary,2016 Selectionofparticipants;NotificationofawardApril,2016 Weeklypre‐departurereadingsandassignmentspostedoncross‐institutional

website.Onlineintroductionandorientationforstudentsacrossallinstitutions.

May23 DepartforBarbadosMay24‐May28 OrientationtoBarbados

DailycoursesrelatedtoobservationaldatacollectionandstudydesignDatacollectionpracticeandrefiningofresearchquestion(s)atReserveGuestlecture:DebbieBranker:Director&NaturalistatWelchmanHallGullyFieldTrip:WelchmanHallGully;FlowerForest;LittleBay;WestIndiesUniversity

May29‐June3 DailycoursesrelatedtothehistoryandcultureofBarbadosDatacollectiondailyatReserveGuestLecture:Dr.KarlWatson,BarbadosNationalTrust‐‐ExpertiseinBarbadoshistoryandnaturalenvironmentFieldTrip:BarbadosHistoryMuseum;GeorgeWashingtonHouse;Bridgetown

June4‐8 DailycoursesrelatedtotheevolutionofprimatesocietiesandsocialbehaviorDatacollectiondailyatReserveDevelopmentofservicelearningprojectsGuestlecture:SusanMahon,DirectorofBellairsResearchInstituteFieldTrip:FishFryFestival,Oistens;St.NicholasAbbey;CherryTreeHill

June9‐13 DailycoursesrelatedtocognitionandintelligenceinprimatesocietiesImplementationandassessmentofservicelearningprojectsDatacollectiondailyatReserveGuestLecturer:Dr.JuliaHorrocks,directoroftheBarbadosSeaTurtleProjectFieldTrip:SnorkelingandSeaTurtles;AnimalFlowerCave;Homevisits

June14‐16 Dailycoursesrelatedtodataanalysis,interpretationofresultsStudentculturalpresentationsDatacollectionatReservewindingdownFieldTrip:Harrison’sCave;CropOverfestivalevent;Bathsheba


June17 StudentpreparationforstudentpresentationsandfinalexamsJune18 StudentresearchpresentationsJune19 FinalexamJune20 DepartBarbadosEvaluation:

Belowarethelearningobjectivesofthecourse,alongwiththeassignment(s)thatwillbeused

fortheassessment:

OBJECTIVE ASSESSMENT

1) Thoroughunderstandingofthebehaviorofgreenmonkeys: FinalExam

2) Developproficiencyrelatedtomethodsanddataanalyses: ResearchProposal ResearchPresentation

3) Improveoralpresentationskills CulturalPresentationLeadingDiscussionsResearchPresentation

4) Appreciationfortheculture,historyandecologyofBarbados CulturalPresentation FinalExam

5) Improveorsustainthedeterioratingnaturalhabitat ServiceProjectEffort

Dissemination

Wewilldisseminatecourseinformationwidely.Weanticipatethateachoftheparticipating

campuseswillshowcasethiscollaborationontheirwebpages.Bothinstructorsaremembersof

severalanimal‐researchsocieties(AnimalBehavior,AmericanSocietyofPrimatology),andwill

presentaboutthecourseattheannualmeetingsofthesegroups.Finally,uponreturn,Dr.Burns‐

CusatoandDr.McCormackwillworkcloselywithinterestedstudentswhowanttopresenttheir

researchfindingsatnationalorregionalconferencesorwhowishtodraftamanuscriptfor

publication.


Budget

StipendsforCourseDevelopmentandInstruction

Dr.MelissaBurns‐Cusato

Dr.KaiMcCormack

$2,500

$2,500

RequiredFICA/Medicaretaxes $200

InstructionalSupplies

Projector(forclass)

10Binoculars(datacollection)

10Audiorecorders(datacollection)

Courserelatedreadings

$500

$500

$500

$200

GuestSpeakers(4at$250each) $1,000

FieldTripsfor18students&2instructors

BarbadosMuseumofHistory($10ea)

FlowerForest($20ea)

AnimalFlowerCave($20ea)

Snorkeling/SeaTurtles($30ea)

Harrison’sCave($25ea)

$200

$400

$400

$600

$500

StudentScholarships $5,000

Total $15,000

Thecostofthiscourseforeachstudentwillbedeterminedbythecostofthesharedroom

overthe30days,airfare,food,plannedfieldtrips,guestspeakerhonorariums,vanrentals,

instructionalsupplies,andinstructorstipends.Weanticipatethecosttobeapproximately$4,000

perstudent,plusthecostoffood.Wearerequestingstudentscholarshipstohelpreducethecost

forstudentswhomightnototherwisebeabletoattendtheclass.Ifweareawardedthisgrant,the

costperstudentforthis4‐weekcourseabroadwillbereducedfrom$4000to$3000.Studentswill

payforthecoursethroughtheirhomeinstitution.


ContactInformation

a. ReportingPI:MelissaBurns‐Cusato

b. ContactDetails:

1. Dr.MelissaBurns‐CusatoDowlingAssociateProfessor,BehavioralNeuroscienceCentreCollege

600WestWalnutStreet Danville,KY40422 (859)583‐6280 [email protected]

2. Dr.KaiMcCormack AssociateProfessor,Psychology SpelmanCollege 350SpelmanLane,Box209 Atlanta,GA30314 (404)593‐7752 [email protected]

Drs.Burns‐CusatoandMcCormackhavediscussedtheproposedcoursewithcolleaguesat

SpelmanCollege,CentreCollege,RhodesCollege,MorehouseCollege,andtheUniversityofthe

South,andtheseindividualshaveagreedtoassistthePIsinrecruitingstudentstothe2016

summercourse.

Spelman College 350 Spelman Lane SW Box 1209 Atlanta, Georgia 30314-4399 www.spelman.edu

November 11, 2015 Associated Colleges of the South I am pleased to endorse the attached proposal from Dr. Kai McCormack of Spelman College and Dr. Melissa Burns-Cusato of Center College. Their plan to conduct a field-based course on primate behavior in Barbados has significant implications for the ACS consortium. It allows our small colleges to leverage research and scientific expertise to benefit a population far beyond our individual campuses. It also supports pedagogical practices that all of our institutions want for our students, including international experiences, experiential learning and undergraduate research. Finally, it sets the stage for future credit-bearing collaborative course offerings. Participants from Morehouse College will receive four Spelman summer course credits (Psych 400) through our consortial arrangement with the Atlanta University Center. Participants from Rhodes College and the University of the South will receive course credit through existing arrangements with Centre College. I look forward to seeing this course come to fruition. Thank you. Sincerely,

Myra Burnett, Ph.D.

OFFICE OF THE PROVOST PHONE: 404-270-5031

MYRA N. BURNETT, PH.D. INTERIM PROVOST AND VICE PRESIDENT , ACADEMIC AFFAIRS

MELISSA BURNS-CUSATO, PH.D.

NOVEMBER 2015

MAILING ADDRESS: TELEPHONE: (859) 238-5384 1382 Lannock Place Danville, KY 40422 E-MAIL ADDRESS: [email protected] EDUCATIONAL BACKGROUND Ph.D., University of Texas at Austin. Austin, Texas 1999 Major: Behavioral Neuroscience B.A., Southwestern University. Georgetown, Texas 1993 Major: Animal Behavior EMPLOYMENT HISTORY Associate Professor, Centre College 2011-present Department of Behavioral Neuroscience Assistant Professor, Centre College 2006-2011 Department of Behavioral Neuroscience Post-Doctoral Fellow, University of Virginia 2003-2006 Departments of Biochemistry & Molecular Genetics/Neuroscience Assistant Professor, Texas Christian University 2001-2003 Department of Psychology Post-Doctoral Fellow, The University of Texas 1999-2001 Department of Psychology HONORS AND AWARDS Kentucky Academy of Science (Undergraduate Research Supplies Award) 2010 with Emily Gregory “Prolactin and Parental Care in Japanese Quail” Psi Chi/Council on Undergraduate Research Summer Undergraduate 2010 Research Mentor for Emily Gregory “Parent-Offspring Recognition in Japanese Quail” Associated College of the South Faculty Professional Development Grant 2010 “The aging process: Analyses of aging from a cellular, systemic, and behavioral

perspective” Kentucky Academy of Science (Special Research Award) 2010 “The aging process: Analyses of aging from a cellular, systemic, and behavioral

perspective” Associated Colleges of the South Faculty Professional Development Grant 2008 “Undergraduate Research Across Disciplines Workshop”

Melissa Burns-Cusato 2

NIH R01 Co-PI with Kimberly Nixon (University of Kentucky) “Ethanol alteration of the neurogenic niche” 2007 Institutional Technology Initiative Grant (Centre College) 2007 “Respondus Lock Down” Kentucky Academy of Science (Undergraduate Research Supplies Award) 2007 with Sarah Weidinger “Proximate Mechanisms underlying monogamous behavior in rink neck dove” Institute on Aging Pilot Grant (University of Virginia) 2006 “Genetic Control of Age-associated Anxiety” National Research Service Award (Individual Post-Doctoral) 2004 “Sexual Learning and Steroid Hormone Interactions” TCU Senior Appreciation Award Recipient (2 awards) 2003 American Psychological Association Division 3 (Experimental Psychology) 2002

New Investigator Award TCU College of Science & Engineering Dean’s Grant 2002 TCU Instructional Development Grant 2002 TCU Senior Appreciation Award Recipient 2001 TCU Research and Creative Activities Grant 2000 Janet T. Spence Teaching Award 1999 The University of Texas at Austin Student Paper Competition Awardee (First Place), Southwestern 1999 Psychological Association Meeting, Albuquerque, New Mexico 1997

Dissertation Research Award Student Paper Competition Awardee (Second Place), Southwestern 1995

Psychological Association Meeting, San Antonio, Texas Predoctoral Fellowship, Institut National de la Recherche 1994 Agronomique, Centre Tours, Nouzilly, France PUBLICATIONS (* Indicates Undergraduate Students) Burns-Cusato, M., Glueck, A., C., Duggan, I. S., Hinds, R. T., Cusato, B. (Under

Review). Threats from the past: Barbados green monkeys fear leopards after centuries of isolation. Behavioural Processes

Burns-Cusato, M., Cusato, B.M., & *Glueck, A.C. (2013). Barbados green monkeys (Chlorocebus sabaeus) recognize ancestral alarm calls after 350 years of isolation. Behavioral Processes, 100, 197-199.

Burns-Cusato, M. & Cusato, B. (2013). Mate reinforcement value and the pair bond in ring neck dove (Streptopelia risoria) Behaviour, 150, 255-276.

Pehar, M., Burns-Cusato, M., Andrzejewski, M. E., Li, H., O’Riordan, K. J., del Alcazar, C. G., Burger, C., Scrable, H., & Puglielli, L. (2010). Altered longevity-assurance activity of p53:p44 in the mouse causes memory loss, neurodegeneration, and premature death. Aging Cell, 9(2), 174-190 doi: 10.1111/j.1474-9726.2010.00547.x.

Scrable, H., Burns-Cusato, M., & Medrano, S. (2009) Anxiety and the aging brain: Stressing out over p53. Biochimica et Biophysica Acta (BBA) - General Subjects, 1790(12), 1587-91.


Cusato, B. M., & Burns-Cusato, M. (2009). Individual recognition requires physical and behavioral cues in Japanese quail. International Journal of Comparative Psychology, 22, 93-112.

Medrano, S., Burns-Cusato, M., Atienza, M. B., Rahimi, D., & Scrable, H. (2009). Regenerative capacity of neural precursors in the adult mammalian brain is under the control of p53. Neurobiology of Aging, 30(3), 483-497.

Park, J. H., Burns-Cusato, M., Dominguez-Salazar, E., Riggan, A., Shetty, S., Burgoyne, P. S., Arnold, A. P., & Rissman, E. F. (2008). Effects of sex chromosome aneuploidy on male sexual behavior. Genes, Brain, & Behavior, 7, 609-617.

Burns-Cusato, M., Cusato, B., & *Daniel, A. (2005). A new model for sexual conditioning: The ring dove. Journal of Comparative Psychology, 119(1), 111-116.

Burns-Cusato, M., Scordalakes, E., & Rissman, E. (2004). Of mice and missing data: What we know (and need to learn) about sexual behavior of male mice. Physiology & Behavior, 83, 217-232.

Burns-Cusato, M. (2003). Motivation. In S. Davis (Ed.), Handbook for Research Method in Experimental Psychology. Malden, MA: Blackwell Publishing. Pp. 389-412.

Burns-Cusato, M., & Marrow, M. (2003). Fear in the captive-bred Attwater’s Prairie Chicken as an indicator of postrelease survival. International Journal of Comparative Psychology, Conservation Issue.16, 95-110.

Coleman, S. L., & Burns, M. (2002). Attwater’s Prairie Chicken Recovery Project at Fossil Rim. Quarterly Journal of the North American Falconry Association.

Burns, M., & Domjan, M. (2001). Topography of spatially directed conditioned responding: Effects of context and trial duration. Journal of Experimental Psychology: Animal Behavior Processes, 27, 269-278.

Burns, M., & Domjan, M. (2001). Data from plus maze experiments and the dynamic field theory of perseverative reaching in infants (Commentary). Brain and Behavior Sciences, 24, 35-36.

Akins, C. K., & Burns, M. (2001). Visual control of sexual behavior. In R. Cook, (Ed.), Avian Visual Cognition. http://www.pigeon.psy.tufts.edu/avc/

Burns, M., & Domjan, M. (2000). Sign tracking in domesticated quail with one trial a day: Generality across CS and US parameters. Animal Learning & Behavior, 28, 109-119.

Domjan, M., & Burns, M. (2000). Learning Theories. In A. Kazdin, (Ed.), Encyclopedia of Psychology. Washington D.C., American Psychological Association.

Burns, M., Mills, A. D., & Domjan, M. (1998). Effects of genetic selection for fearfulness and social reinstatement behavior on adult social and sexual behavior in domestic quail (Coturnix japonica). Psychobiology, 26, 249-257.

Burns, M., & Domjan, M. (1996). Sign tracking versus goal tracking in the sexual conditioning of male Japanese quail (Coturnix japonica). Journal of Experimental Psychology: Animal Behavior Processes, 22, 297-306.

Purdy, J. E., Bales, S. L., Burns, M. L.., & Wiegand, N. (1994). Assessing the rewarding aspects of a stimulus associated with extinction through the observing response paradigm. International Journal of Comparative Psychology, 7 (3), 101-116.


PROFESSIONAL ORGANIZATIONS Animal Behavior Society Southwestern Psychological Association American Psychological Association Southwestern Comparative Psych Assn International Society for Comparative Psychology Phi Kappa Phi Honor Society Kentucky Academy of Science Council for Undergraduate Research Society for Teaching Psychology PROFESSIONAL ACTIVITIES Consulting Reviewer: Journals: Animal Behaviour Learning & Memory Animal Cognition Learning and Motivation Animal Learning & Behavior Pharm, Biochem, & Behav. Behavioural Processes Physiology & Behavior Brain, Behavior, & Evolution Hormones & Behavior European Jrnl of Neuroscience International Journal of Comparative Psychology External Grant Reviewer: Barrow Neurological Institute 2008-2012 Research Foundation Kentucky Academy of Science Research Funds 2011 American Federation for Aging Research 2006 Textbook Reviews: Psychological Science By Mark Krause and Daniel Corts (Pearson) 2011 Foundations of Behavioral Neuroscience 8th ed 2010 by Neil Carlson (Pearson Publishing) Editorships: International Journal of Comparative Psychology 2003 Special Editor; Applied Issue (Double Issue) International Journal of Comparative Psychology 2003 Special Editor; Conservation Issue Program Chairmanships: Society for Behavioral Neuro-endocrinology June 2005 Symposium “Comparative Neurobiology of Sexual Learning” Winter Conference on Animal February, 2004 Learning and Behavior February, 2003

Southwestern Comparative April, 2004 Psychology Association April, 2003


Workshops: Bluegrass Academic Leadership Academy Mar/Sept 2015 Kentucky Biomedical Research Infrastructure Network Oct, 2012 NIH R15 AREA Grant Writing Workshop Council on Undergraduate Research February 2011 Dialogues: Grant Writing Student/Faculty Collaborations Across Disciplines August 2008 Organized workshop at Centre College Project Kaleidoscope National Assembly November 2007 Leaders Developing Leaders Council on Undergraduate Research October 2007 Institutionalizing Undergraduate Research American Association of Colleges & Universities April 2007 Students as Scholars Undergraduate Neuroscience Education (PKAL) July 2005 Leadership, Laboratories, and a Curriculum for the 21st Century Professional Development: Advanced Placement Psychology Test Reader June 2014 Educational Testing Services June 2013 June 2012 June 2011 June 2010 June 2009 June 2008 COURSES TAUGHT AT CENTRE COLLEGE Introduction to Psychology Physiological Psychology Advance Research Sensation & Perception Drugs, the Brain, & Behavior Emotion Human Neuropsychology Research in Primate Behavior Animal Behavior Senior Seminar Foundations in Behavioral Neuroscience INTERNSHIP SUPERVISION Rita Basconi (Boyle County Detention Center, Substance Abuse Program Spring 2015 Rebecca Barefield (Primate Rescue Center) Summer 2014 June Dingle (The Game Agency) Fall 2013 Shelby Gregory (Wilderness Trace Child Development Center) Centre Term 2012 Lizy LeBlond (Cincinnati Children’s Hospital, Neuropsychology) Centre Term 2012 Sandra Gregor (Bluegrass Austism Services, Behavior Modification) Fall 2011 Shawn Malony (Boyle County Detention Center, Substance Abuse program Fall 2011 Cynthia Estremera (Danville School District, School Psychology) Centre Term 2010 Catie Granbery (Toliver Elementary School, School Psychology) Centre Term 2010 Rebecca Rhule (Wilderness Trace Child Development Center) Spring 2009 Kyle Barnett (Rocky Top Furniture) Spring 2008 Amber Wood (Talisman Summer Camp for disabled children) Summer 2007 Megan Collins (Cinncinatti Children’s Hospital) Centre Term 2007

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ABBREVIATED CURRICULUM VITA

Kai McCormack, Ph.D.

EDUCATION

Ph.D. Developmental Psychology, University of Georgia Dissertation: “The Effects of Maternal Maltreatment on the Behavioral and Neuroendocrine Development of the Rhesus Macaque Infant: The First Six Months”

2001-2003

M.S. Developmental Psychology, University of Georgia Thesis: “The Social Development of Maternally Maltreated Rhesus Macaque Infants”

1998-2000

B.A. Psychology, Claremont McKenna College, Claremont, CA 1991-1995

EMPLOYMENT HISTORY

Associate Professor, Spelman College, Dept. of Psychology 2011-present

Affiliate Scientist, Emory University, Yerkes Primate Research Center 2005-present

Assistant Professor, Spelman College, Dept. of Psychology 2005-2011

Adjunct Professor, Morehouse College, Dept. of Psychology 2004-2005

Post-Doctoral Fellow (Dr. Paul Plotsky), FIRST program at Emory University, Dept. of Psychiatry

2004-2005

RECENT AWARDS AND FUNDING

NSF, Innovation through Institutional Integration, $1,250,000 “Enhancing Global Research and Education in STEM at Spelman College” Role: Principal Investigator (Co-PIs: Dr. T. Galvão, & Dr. J. Butler/Dr. M Burnett)

2010-2016

NIMH, Center Grant, $40,828 ($2,329,000 Total Costs) “Early Experiences, Stress, and Neurobehavioral Development” Role: Co-Investigator (PI: Dr. Mar Sanchez)

2009-2015

Center for Behavioral Neuroscience Venture Grant (NSF), $21,000 “Physiological Responsiveness To Sexual Stereotypes In Music Videos And Its Association With Sexual Attitudes And Behaviors” Role: Co-Investigator (PI: Dr. Shani Harris Peterson)

2008-2009

Yerkes National Primate Research Center Venture Grant, $150,000 “Heritability Analyses of Rhesus Macaques” Role: Principal Investigator (Co-PI: Mark Wilson)

2007-2009

Center for Behavioral Neuroscience Venture Grant (NSF), $24, 500 “Investigating Affiliative Behavior in Rhesus Macaques Role: Principle Investigator (Co-PI: Dr. Mark Wilson)

2007-2009

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SCHOLARSHIP

Publications

Howell, B.R., McCormack, K., & Sanchez, M.M. (2015). Social buffering of stress responses in nonhuman primates: Maternal regulation of the development of emotional regulatory brain circuits. Social Neuroscience. E-pub, in press.

McCormack, K., Howell, B.R., Guzman, D., Villongco, C., Pears, K., Kim, H., Gunnar, M.R., & Sanchez, M.M. (2015). The development of an instrument to measure global dimensions of maternal care in rhesus macaques (Macaca mulatta). American Journal of Primatology. 77, 20-33.

Howell, B.R., Grand, A.P., McCormack, K.M., Shi, Y., LaPrairie, J., Maestripieri, D., Styner, M.A., Sanchez, M.M. (2014). Early adverse experience increases emotional reactivity in juvenile rhesus macaques: Relation to amygdala volume. Developmental Psychobiology, 56, 1735-1746

Koch, H., McCormack, K., Sanchez, M.M., & Maestripiri, D. (2014). The development of the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis in rhesus monkeys: Effects of age, sex, and early experience. Developmental Psychobiology, 56, 86-95.

Howell, B. R., McCormack, K., Grand, A.P., Zhang, X., Maestripieri, D., Hu, X., & Sanchez, M.M. (2013). Brain white matter microstructure alterations in adolescent rhesus monkeys exposed to early life stress: Associations with high cortisol during infancy. Biology of Mood and Anxiety Disorders, 3, 1-14.

Loman, M.M., Gunnar, M., Bruce, J., Dallman, M., Dozier, M., Fisher, P., Fox, N., McCormack, K., Plotsky, P., Pollak, S., Sanchez, M.M., & Suomi, S. (2010). Early experience and the development of stress reactivity and regulation in children. Neuroscience and Biobehavioral Reviews, 34, 867-876.

Sanchez, M. M., McCormack, K., Maestripieri, D. (2010). Ethological case study: Infant abuse in rhesus macaques. In C. Worthman, P. Plotsky, D. Schechter, & C. Cummings (Eds.) Formative experiences: The interaction of caregiving, culture, and developmental psychobiology. New York: Cambridge University Press.

Sanchez, M.M., McCormack, K., Grand, A.P., Fulks, R., Graff, A. & Maestripieri, D. (2010). Effects of sex and early maternal abuse on the development of hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal function in the first 3 years of life in group-living rhesus monkeys. Development and Psychopathology, 22, 45-53.

Keen-Rhinehart, E., Haynes, J.K., Eisen, A., Eaton, D. C., & McCormack, K. (2009). Interactive methods for teaching action potentials, an example of teaching innovation from neuroscience postdoctoral fellows in the Fellowships in Research and Science Teaching (FIRST) program. Journal of Undergraduate Neuroscience Education, 7, 74-79.

McCormack, K., Newman, T.K., Higley, D., Maestripieri, D., & Sanchez, M. (2009). Serotonin transporter gene variation, infant abuse, and responsiveness to stress in rhesus macaque mothers and infants. Hormones and Behavior, 55, 538-547.

Maestripieri, McCormack, K., D. Higley, J. D., Lindell, S. G., Newman, T. K., & Sanchez, M. (2006). Influences of parenting style on the offspring’s behavior and CSF monoamine metabolites in cross-fostered and noncrossfostered rhesus macaques. Behavioural Brain Research,175, 90-95.

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Maestripieri, D. Higley, J. D., Lindell, S. G., Newman, T. K., McCormack, K., & Sanchez, M. (2006). Early maternal rejection affects the development of monoaminergic systems and adult abusive parenting in rhesus macaques. Behavioral Neuroscience,120, 1017-1024.

McCormack, K., Sanchez, M. M., Bardi, M., & Maestripieri, D. (2006). Maternal care patterns and behavioral development of rhesus macaque abused infants in the first six months. Developmental Psychobiology,48, 537-550.

Student Sponsored Research at Regional/National Conferences

*Student(s) won an award for presentation.

Williams, J., Clark, M., Saliu, K., Birton, K., & McCormack, K. (2011). College students’ likelihood of attributing positive or negative characteristics towards disabled individuals. Poster presented at the Annual Meeting of the Southeastern Psychological Association, Jacksonville, FL.

Brown, K., Pugh, G., Cunningham, S., Wells, J., & McCormack, K. (2010). The Mozart effect: The effects of classical music on spatial task and reading comprehension on African American females. Poster presented at the Annual Meeting of the Southeastern Psychological Association, Chattanooga, TN.

Ainsworth, K., Grand, A., Sawyer, N., Sanchez, M.M., McCormack, K. (2009). Maternal maltreatment, serotonin, cortisol, and aggression in rhesus macaques: How are they connected? Poster presented at the Annual Meeting of the Southeastern Psychological Association, New Orleans, LA.

Chaffers, Q., Dickens, D., Harris, J.R., & McCormack, K. (2009). The dilemma of being black and female, and the compromise of ideologies: Voting decisions of African American women in 2008. Poster presented at the Annual Meeting of the Southeastern Psychological Association, New Orleans, LA.

Heath, A., Washington, A., Williamson, C., & McCormack, K. (2009). The relationship between academic goal setting, self-efficacy, and parenting style on college student’s success. Poster presented at the Annual Meeting of the Southeastern Psychological Association, New Orleans, LA.

*Gibson, G. & McCormack, K. (2008). The relationship between social desirable responses and the sexual attitudes of African American women. Poster presented at the Annual Meeting of the Southeastern Psychological Association, Charlotte, NC.

*Moncreift, A, Priester, M., Johnson, E., & Jones, G. (2008). The effects of music on the evaluation of visual stimuli. Poster presented at the Annual Meeting of the Southeastern Psychological Association, Charlotte, NC.

Ainsworth, K. & McCormack, K. (2007). The HPA axis and social behavior of rhesus macaques: Gene by environment interactions. Poster presented at the Annual Biomedical Research Conference for Minority Students, Austin, TX.

Armstrong, A.P., Heard, S. L., Johnson, L.N., Taylor, L.S., McCormack, K. (2007). The emotional impact of hip hop music lyrics on African American females. Poster presented at the Annual Meeting of the Southeastern Psychological Association, New Orleans, LA.

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*Heard, S., Amuza, A., Cage, B., Daniels, I., Bell, S., Floyd, L., McCormack, K. (2007). Impulsivity and drug use: The moderating effects of behavioral disengagement. Poster presented at the Annual Meeting of the Southeastern Psychological Association, New Orleans, LA.

Sykes, J.E, Jones, J.N., Pierre, L. M., McCormack, K. (2007). Sex differences in reactions to emotional and sexual infidelity. Poster presented at the Annual Meeting of the Southeastern Psychological Association, New Orleans, LA.

Johnson, A. J., Hunt, L.M., Thompson, C.L., Scott, K. S., & McCormack, K (2006). The power of perception: Effects of race and store reputation on customer satisfaction among African American college students. Poster presented at the Annual Meeting of the Southeastern Psychological Association, Atlanta, GA.

Abdullah, A., Legette, K. B., Lineberger, W. N., Mack, E. C., & McCormack, K. (2006). Effects of gender on the perceptions of domestic violence. Poster presented at the Annual Meeting of the Southeastern Psychological Association, Atlanta, GA.

Fardán, A. K., Collins, C. T., Davis, G. J., Caldwell, T. L., & McCormack, K. (2006). College students attitudes towards alcohol and its relationship to alcohol consumption. Poster presented at the Annual Meeting of the Southeastern Psychological Association, Atlanta, GA.

Parilla, A. N.& McCormack, K. (2006). A cognitive assessment between brain activity and moral judgment. Poster presented at the Annual Biomedical Research Conference for Minority Students, Anaheim, CA.

Sawyer, N.T., & McCormack, K. (2006). An investigation of HPA axis activity and social aggression in abused and non-abused male adolescent rhesus macaques. Poster presented at the Annual Meeting of the Society for Neuroscience, FUN, Atlanta, GA.

TEACHING EXPERIENCE

Spelman College

PSY 201: Introduction to Psychological Science Fall, 2015

PSY 400: Research in Primate Behavior: The Green Monkeys of Barbados Summer, 2015

PSY 400: Psychopharmacology (co-taught) Spring, 2015

PSY 417: Statistics in Psychology II Spring, 2015 2005-2010,

PSY 400: Interdisciplinary Forays in Primatology (team taught) Spring, 2014

PSY 320: Brain and Behavior 2006-2014

PSY 305: Research Methods 2005-2011

PSY 307/308: Honors Seminar (team taught) 2005-present

PSY 444: Ethical Issues in Psychological Research (co-taught) 2008

PSY 491/492: Honors Thesis Research (team taught) 2006-present

Morehouse College

PSY 202: Research & Statistics II (co-taught) Fall, 2004

PSY 341: Animal Behavior (co-taught) Spring, 2005

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SERVICE

Spelman College and AUC Committee Service

Member, Ad-Hoc Research Committee, Spelman College 2015-present

Member, Teaching Resource and Research Center, Spelman College 2014-present

Co-Chair/Chair, Faculty Development Committee, Spelman College 2013-present

Member, HHMI Student Selection Committee, Spelman College 2013-present

Member, Gordon-Zeto Committee on International Education, Spelman College 2012-present

Co-PI, G-STEM Program, Spelman College 2010-present

Member, Institutional Review Board, Spelman College 2007-present

Co-Chair, Faculty Welfare Committee, Spelman College 2010-2013

Co-Chair, Student Research Day, Spelman College Spring, 2012

Member, Quantitative Reasoning Development Committee, Spelman College 2008-2010

Co-Chair/Member, Educational Technology Committee, Spelman College 2007-2010

Member, Strategic Planning Committee, Spelman College 2007-2009

Co-Chair, Faculty Research Day, Spelman College Fall, 2007

Spelman College and AUC Advising Service

Faculty Advisor, NuRhoPsi, Atlanta University Center 2014-present

Faculty Advisor, Sophomores and Juniors, Department of Psychology 2006-present

Faculty Advisor, Women in Neuroscience Student Club (WINS) 2006-2014

Faculty Advisor, Incoming Freshman 2007-2008

Scholarly Service

Co-Chair, Research and Development Grant Review Committee, American Society of Primatologists (ASP)

2010-2014

Manscript Reviewer, Behavioral Processes 2015

Manuscript Reviewer, Hormones and Behavior 2014

Manuscript Reviewer, American Journal of Physical Anthropology 2014

Manuscript Reviewer, Biological Psychiatry 2009-2014

Manuscript Reviewer, Developmental Psychopathology 2009-2013

Abstract Reviewer, Southeastern Psychological Association Annual Meeting 2008-2013

Manuscript Reviewer, Journal of Developmental Processes 2006

Burns‐Cusato/McCormack

Disclosure Statement

As is common practice, students who register for this course will be charged a small fee in addition to

the expenses notated in the budget. This fee will be used to cover the airfare and lodging costs of the

two professors teaching the course.

centre college kai mccormack, ph.d. spelman...

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