Teaching Qs

**Done in collaboration with classmates**

Kayla: What are your greatest strengths and weaknesses as a professor, and in which areas do
you feel you could improve the greatest?

Abigail: How have you and will you address different student learning styles?

Sam: What strategies do you use to motivate students to be engaged in the material you teach?

Stephen: What aspects would you like to see be changed in the near future regarding the
overall design and methods of how education is handled?

Danielle: What is the impact you hope to have on all your students after they have taken your
class?

Service Qs (department, college, university, community, profession)

Kayla: How do you work to integrate service to your teaching and research?

Abigail: How would you describe your most significant contributions to the community?

Sam: Other than education, how do you give back to your community? Either in your immediate
residence or the greater Harrisonburg community?

Stephen: Are there any ways you have or would like to reach outside of the United states and
contribute to the international community?

Danielle: How would you say service has impacted your professional career?

How does the department of psychology foster community involvement?

Research Qs
Kayla: How do your research interests fit in with the departments missions?

Abigail: Regarding research, who are your biggest competitors? What are they doing? How do
you and will you compete with them?

Sam: How have you been able to apply specific aspects of your research findings to your own
life?

Stephen: What was the most unpredictable and surprising research finding you discovered?

Danielle: How did you pick your research topic? What do you think the next step for your
research is?
OTHER QUESTIONS:
Human v. animal research related questions
What about the department could improve?
What about teaching as kept you here?
How have your goals changed?
How has JMU helped you achieve your goals?
What are skill you have had to develop?
How do you foster critical thinking in your classroom?
How did you discover what you want to teach?
Notes on Interview:
Selection, Performance Evaluation, and Retention (dynamic criteria) focus

Contributions to the department, community, society:

Holt: service work with stokes on training clinic, autism, filling in gaps in community
Jeff: bad at service to community?, give talks to school boards about school start times, grow
and stabilize graduate studies at JMU
Kurtz: curriculum and instruction person, speak on departments behalf, CVille non-profit, blog
for psych today to put research out to community, book? Giving information to broader audience
on HAPPINESS AND TRAVELS, happiness and decision making while traveling
Tracy: department service assessment day @ jmu, community around birth matters VA, health
care to reduce infant mortality, local refugee community, church service board member

Skills developed since coming to JMU

Holt: develop role and responsibility as you become more experienced, working with others who
are just as educated and intelligent, collaborating (note: decision made for the department are
made by the dept, search committees with 4 or 5 faulty, a chairman, and a student recommends
with the dept head to uni about who to hire)
Jeff: get along with dan (lol), first civilian job in a while = readjustment to that life, learn how to
teach to large classes (hiring process is humbling)
Kurtz: take the long view on the career instead of short term goals, big picture goals, 5-10-15-20
year outlook, large range planning
Tracy:

Research without constraints

Holt: turn down money for research, no unlimited resources, not put into a position of having to
get it all, would grow to hate profession (key difference between JMU and a research 1 uni)
Jeff: gravitated to jmu for interests, connection to students, involvement with students (have
turned down people with great applications but have no teaching experience or wish to work
with undergrad, even at the grad level they benefit the undergrad by working labs focus on
student run research)
Kurtz: untranslatable words that represent better life or happiness + views on happiness (hygge,
lagom), cross cultural study of cultural
Tracy:

How much teaching experience

Holt: grad programs teaching, regularly taught r.methods and intro, had a great advisor in phd,
uni in Wisconsin
Jeff: a lot, teaching assistantship, intro classes, PhD focused on helping students learn teach
Kurtz: distinguished teaching fellowship to teach in specialty area, visiting faculty position (LA
and Oregon), supervise honors thesis, several years of teaching, not interesting in traditional
post-doc research experiences,
Tracy: lots of IO teaching bc not a lot of people want to, taught stats, Bill? at Auburn focused on
training teachers, teaching fellowship to pay for school and focus on teaching

Teachings effect on personal research

Holt
Jeff: doesnt worry about if they lead to publication, does focus on taking students to
conferences,
Kurtz: pressure at research ones to pub and present that isnt here
Tracy: lots of freedom, doesnt have to focus on specialized topic
*where does this freedom come from: focus is on development of undergrad not on professors,
middle ground of liking research and teaching
*requirements: 4/4 teaching load (fall and spring), one of those can be a research lab course
each semester

What makes you a good teacher:

Holt: teaches things that they like (not assigned what they like), time of day teaching, style
teaching
Jeff: different pedagogical studies, diversity of styles or forces to learn to teach a specific way
Kurtz: want to share experience and share knowledge
Tracy: freedom to teach how they want, people need to be proactive and okay with ambiguity of
instruction and creative ability to form teaching patterns, LIKE students,

Biggest challenges when came to JMU

Holt
Jeff: SO HAPPY to be here, at AFA strict office hours/ask to go to research lab/told what to
teach when, getting used to being on a real college campus
Kurtz: unwritten rules of the job (ie committees), service without experience, running a research
lab/teaching skills/delegating
Tracy: how accessible to be while still having boundaries, how much structure to give students,
how much freedom, how much guidance and support do you give students v preparing for real
world after college

Changes to department or JMU

Holt:
Jeff: more faculty
Kurtz
Tracy: how it is decided where money is spent, changes things before data supports it,
*assistant prof, associate prof, full prof, lecturer

What qualities would you likes students to leave with

Holt yes to Jamie, leave thinking college was the hardest thing youve ever done, to be fully
prepared
Jeff: critical thinking skills, do something will your degree,
Kurtz: growth mindset, not saying you could never do that, valuing effort and working your ass
off
Tracy: pro-active, figure out shit on your own/help others figure shit out

Additional Question to Tracy:

Education require: PhD, doctoral degree
Kim DuVall: lecture, does not have a PhD
Everyone hired at assistant, after 6 Years -> to associate, apply for tenured position meaning
there has to have documented reason to be fired instead of VAs right to work (at will thing)(if
denied tenure = fired), after another 6 years they can move to full prof
-If you leave and go somewhere else the title doesnt follow
Resource to become a better teacher? Center for Faculty Innovation
Everyone must be on committees all the time, SOO many committees: committee work =
service work
Tracy: research, committee, and teaching all go together
 I. Introduction
A. Job Description:
a. Job Title (titles)
Professor of Psychology (Postsecondary)
b. Education required
Ph.D or Doctoral Degree relating to course curriculum

B. Important work values necessary for this work

Work Values
Independence -- capable of taking on tasks and completing them, making their own decisions,
maintain autonomy and responsibility for their own work
Team Player -- works well with colleagues, willing to collaborate on projects
Service -- willing to participate in service to the department, university, and profession

C. Interests that are fulfilled via this work

1. Conducting research with faculty and student aid while assisting students with their individual
research
2. Application of research-based findings to multiple communities

D. Uses for this Job Analysis

This Job Analysis will be useful for marketing the job and as a reference when selecting
applications and during the interview process.

E. Organizational Setting
a. James Madison University was founded in 1908 in Harrisonburg, Virginia as an all-
women's institution for those who sought to become teachers or develop technical
training. Today, JMU offers 124 different degree programs and is home to more than
21,000 undergraduate students.
The department of psychology resides in Miller hall where there are around 30 full time
faculty and staff. The departments mission is to educate students in, and contribute to,
the science of psychology. - Kevin J. Apple, Department Head.

b. Professors engage in small course sizes to foster personal relationships with students
while allowing them to actively engage in critical thinking in a broad range of psychology
fields. Faculty are also required to participate in committees with other faculty members.
These include reviewing changes aimed at making the department a greater learning
environment and providing service to the community.

II. Job Analysis Method

A. Background research included looking at the job criteria of a general post-secondary
psychology professor, obtaining and reviewing two James Madison University professors CVs,
and preparing interview questions for professors regarding their teaching, research, and service.
 By analyzing a variety of sources, we were able to prepare a more complete image of the
criteria required for this job.

B. During the group interview, we, combined with the efforts of our classmates, directed our
questions for the professors present to detail their thoughts on teaching, research, and service.
Regarding teaching, each professor described their own education, their views on what makes a
good teacher, and how teaching affects their research. This shaped the idea of the best qualities
to possess when teaching. For research, the professors discussed the rules and constraints that
come with doing research at a university. These answer separated the difference between a
research one school and a non-research one school. Finally, they talked about their
contributions to the community and to the department at the university.

C. The APA released information to help guide current students who are interested in
becoming psychology professors. It provides information on job searches and workplace data to
help students decide if it is an appropriate career for them to pursue.
My Plan, a website that compares various careers, provides job tasks and a ranked list
of important work activities. This website focuses mostly on the interpersonal relationships
require to be a professor of psychology.

III. Job Analysis Outcomes

Linkage Analysis
1. Knowledge
a. Field of Psychology: Knowledge of the history of psychology; research methods; clinical
applications and treatment; human behavior; and the latest research in these domains.
i. Applicant must accurately teach a wide range of material and answer students questions on the
topic. Should effectively explain the material in a variety of ways in order to convey the
information.
b. Teaching Practices: Knowledge of effective teaching styles and methods; appropriately evaluate
student progress; and adapt to different learning styles
i. Develop and adhere to a course outline and ensure that it meets department requirements.
Promptly grade students work in order to assess progress.
c. Cultural Differences: Knowledge of different customs, beliefs, and values someone has based
on his/her origins. Being mindful and respectful of cultural differences.
i. Accommodate students when necessary by altering deadlines to account for religious
observations, allowing extra time on an exams, and restating or elaborating on topics that need
further clarification.
2. Skills
a. Critical Thinking: Analyzing and evaluating weaknesses of an accepted explanation to a
problem and subsequently developing an alternative.
i. Develop research designs of original research to challenge existing literature in the field.
b. Instructing - Teaching others information or how to do something.
i. Professor needs to be able to teach his/her material to students during lectures, and provide
instruction during assignments and projects.
3. Abilities
 a. Communication: The ability to convey information effectively through written and oral
communication; actively engage in conversation in a professional manner; and confidently
present research in front of an audience.
i. Lecture by speaking clearly and precisely, explaining the information in a concise, complete
manner. Write journal articles and grant proposals in area of expertise. Converse with students,
colleagues, and supervisors via telephone, e-mail, or face-to-face.
b. Time Management - Being able to manage ones own time and the time of others.
i. Organizing times for lecture, office hours, research, family time, and maybe extra time to help
students if needed/possible.
ii. Make sure times dont overlap so much that they will get burned-out.
4. Other Characteristics:
a. Accessibility: Available to meet with students multiple times per week to advise them and
answer questions.
Other Important Qualifications
a. Dependability - job requires a reliable and responsible person who can fulfill obligations.
b. Flexibility - open to change; adapts easily
c. Achievement - setting, maintaining, and reaching personal goals must be valuable for the job.
 KRISZTINA VARGA JAKOBSEN
Curriculum Vitae

Department of Psychology
jakobskv@jmu.edu 91 E. Grace Street, MSC 7704
kriszvarga@gmail.com
James Madison University
540.568.4301 Harrisonburg, VA 22807

ACADEMIC POSITIONS

Associate Professor, James Madison University, Harrisonburg, Virginia

2015 Present
Alvin V., Jr. and Nancy C. Baird Professor, James Madison University,
Harrisonburg, Virginia 2012 Present
Assistant Professor, James Madison University, Harrisonburg, Virginia
2010 2015
Visiting Assistant Professor, James Madison University, Harrisonburg,
Virginia 2009 2010
Instructor of Record, University of Georgia, Athens, Georgia
2008 2009
Adjunct Instructor, Piedmont College, Athens, Georgia
2008 2009

EDUCATION

Ph.D., Psychology, University of Georgia, Athens, Georgia

2009
Thesis: The Development of Attentional Orienting to Non-Social
Directional Cues
Advisor: Dr. Janet Frick
M.S., Psychology, University of Georgia, Athens, Georgia
2007
Thesis: The Effect of Spatial Characteristics on Inhibition of Return in 6-
Month-Old Infants
Advisor: Dr. Janet Frick
B.S., Psychology, Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State
University (Virginia Tech), Blacksburg, Virginia 2004
Undergraduate Honors Thesis: SixMonthOld Infants Preference for
NonNative Language Accent
Advisor: Dr. Robin Panneton

PROFESSIONAL MEMBERSHIPS
Association for Psychological Science, Society for Research in Child
Development, International Society on Infant Studies, Psi Chi, Society for the
Teaching of Psychology (APA Division 2), Developmental Psychology (APA
Division 7), Cognitive Development Society, Virginia Psychological Association

AWARDS AND HONORS

Distinguished Teacher Award, College of Health and

Behavioral Studies, Nominee 2016
Goodman Faculty Support Endowment, College of Health
and Behavioral Studies, Nominee 2014
College of Health and Behavioral Studies Outstanding
Junior Faculty, Nominee 2013
Jane S. Halonen Teaching Excellence Award, Nominee
2013
Provost Award for Excellence in Academic Advising
Freshman Advisor, Nominee 2012
One of 39 nominees across campus
Provost Award for Excellence in Academic Advising
Graduate Advisor, Nominee 2012
One of 47 nominees across campus
National Society of Collegiate Scholars Distinguished
Membership, JMU 2012
Only distinguished member inducted in 2012

AWARDS AND HONORS CONTINUED

Department of Psychology Award for Promoting Student

Professional Development, JMU 2012
Jane S. Halonen Teaching Excellence Award, Nominee
2012
Madison Teaching Fellow, James Madison University, $600
2009 2010
One of 7 members of a learning community of faculty
focused on team learning
The Charles D. Smock Memorial Award, University of
Georgia, $200 2009
Recognized as the most promising senior graduate student in the
Developmental Psychology Program
The Charles L. Darby Award, University of Georgia, $200
2009
One graduate student is recognized annually as the outstanding
Graduate Teaching Assistant in the Department of Psychology
Nominated for Excellence in Teaching Award for Teaching
Assistants, University of Georgia 2009
One graduate student is nominated from each department across campus
Outstanding Teaching Assistant Award, University of
 Georgia 2009
Recognized as being among the top 10% of graduate teaching assistants
Teaching Portfolio Award, University of Georgia
2008
Acknowledged for excellent teaching skills and abilities as an educator
Graduate School Emerging Leaders Program, University of
Georgia 2008
Invited leadership program; 1 of 24 chosen out of 6,000 graduate
students
Undergraduate Research Award, Virginia Tech
2004
Recognized for excellent undergraduate research

GRANTS, SCHOLARSHIPS, AND FUNDED AWARDS

APS Fund for Teaching and Public Understanding of Psychological

Science, Funded, $2,548 2016
Team-Based Learning for Teaching Psychological Science Workshop
Center for Instructional Technology Seed Grant, Funded, $330
2015
Society for the Teaching of Psychologys Scholarship of Teaching and
Learning Grant, Funded, $1,500 2015
NSF Developmental and Learning Sciences, Unfunded, $166, 454
2014
Pearson Education Pedagogical Innovations Grant, Co-Principal
Investigator, $4250 2012
College of Integrated Science and Technology Research Grant, Principal
Investigator, $2377 2012
Cengage Technology in Education Grant, Co-Principal Investigator,
Cengage Publishers, $10,000 2011
General Education Grant, James Madison University, $375
2011
College of Integrated Science and Technology Mini Grant, James Madison
University, $902 2011
General Education Grant, James Madison University, $500
2010
College of Integrated Science and Technology Mini Grant, James Madison
University, $928 2010
Travel Grant Recipient, University of Georgia, $200
2009
Society for the Teaching of Psychology Faculty Development Small
Grants Program, APA, $250 2008
Funds the costs of attending the Southeastern Teaching of Psychology
Conference; 1 of 12 recipients
The Herbert Zimmer Scholar Award, University of Georgia, $100
2008
Recognized for outstanding research accomplishments
Graduate School Deans Award, University of Georgia, $1,000
 2008
Defrays the cost of conducting dissertation research
Travel Grant Recipient, University of Georgia, $550
2008
Grant to present research at the International Conference on Infant studies
James F. Powell Scholarship, Virginia Tech, $3,000
2001-2004
Provided on academic merit and need

TEACHING EXPERIENCE

James Madison University, Instructor of Record

Early Development across Cultures, Spring 2012, Spring 2014,
Spring 2017
Developmental Psychology, Spring 2010, Spring 2011, Summer 2011, Fall
2011, Spring 2012, Fall 2012, Summer 2013 (online), Fall 2013, Spring
2014, Summer 2014 (online), Fall 2014, Summer 2015 (online), Fall
2015, Summer 2016 (online), Fall 2016, Spring 2017
Life-San Human Development, Fall 2009, Fall 2010, Summer 2015
(online), Spring 2016, Summer 2016 (online)
Clarke County High School Dual Credit Program through
James Madison University, Instructor of Record
General Psychology, Fall 2009, Fall 2010, Fall 2012, Fall 2013, Fall
2014
Piedmont College, Instructor of Record
Human Growth and Development, Fall 2008, Spring 2009
Psychology of Women, Summer 2009
University of Georgia, Instructor of Record
Developmental Psychology, Summer 2008, Fall 2008, Spring 2009
University of Georgia, Lab Instructor
Developmental Psychology, Spring 2006, Spring 2007, Fall 2007, Spring
2008
Research Methods, Fall 2006
University of Georgia, Teaching Assistant
Elementary Psychology, Fall 2005
Social and Personality Development, Summer 2009

PUBLICATIONS (* = STUDENT CO-AUTHOR, [PR] = PEER REVIEWED, [I]

= INVITED)

Jakobsen, K. V., & Knetemann, M.* (in press). Putting structure to

flipped classrooms using Team-Based Learning. International Journal of
Teaching and Learning in Higher Education. [PR]
Simpson, E. A., Jakobsen, K. V., Damon, F., Suomi, S. J., Ferrari, P. F., &
Paukner, A. (in press). Face detection and the development of own-
species bias in infant macaques. Child Development. [PR]
 Jakobsen, K.V., Umstead, L.*, & Simpson, E. A. (2015). Efficient human
face detection in infancy. Developmental Psychobiology.
doi:210.1002/dev.21338 [PR]
Simpson, E., Buchin, Z.*, Werner, K.*, Worrell, R.*, & Jakobsen, K.V.
(2014). Finding faces among faces: Human faces are located more
quickly and accurately than other primate and mammal faces. Attention,
Perception, and Psychophysics, 76(8), 2175-2183. doi: 10.3758/s13414-
014-0744-x [PR]
Simpson, E., Husband, H. L.*, Yee, K.*, & Fullerton, A.*, Jakobsen, K.V.
(2014). Visual search efficiency is greater for human faces compared to
animal faces. Experimental Psychology, 61(6), 439-456. doi:
10.1027/1618-3169/a000263 [PR]
Jakobsen, K.V., McIlreavy, M. E., Marrs, S. A.* (2014). Student
performance in lecture and team-based learning courses. Psychology
Learning and Teaching, 13(1), 25-31. [PR]
Simpson, E. A., Jakobsen, K. V., Fragaszy, D. M., Okada, K., & Frick, J.
E. (2014). The development of facial identity discrimination through
learned attention. Developmental Psychobiology, 56(5), 1038-1101. doi:
10.1002/dev.21194 [PR]
Jakobsen, K. V., Frick, J. E., Simpson, E. (2013). Look here! The
development of attentional orienting to symbolic cues. Journal of
Cognition and Development, 14, 229-249. [PR]
Saville, B. K., Lawrence, N. K., & Jakobsen, K. V. (2012). Creating
learning communities in the classroom. In Buch, K., & Barron, K.E.
(Eds.), Discipline-centered learning communities: Creating connections
among students and faculty within a major. New Directions for Teaching
and Learning. San Francisco: Jossey-Bass. [I]
Jakobsen, K.V. (2012). Applying for academic positions. In P. Giordano,
S. Davis, & C. Licht (Eds.), Your Graduate Training in Psychology:
Suggestions for Success. Thousand Oaks, CA: Sage Publications. [I]

PUBLICATIONS CONTINUED

Saville, B. K., Zinn, T. E., & Jakobsen, K.V. (2012). Leading discussions.
In W. F. Buskist & V. A. Benassi (Eds.), Effective College and University
Teaching: Strategies and Tactics for the New Professoriate, Thousand
Oaks, CA: Sage Publications. [I]
Jakobsen, K. V., & Lee. M. R. (2011). Faculty writing lockdowns. Essays
from E-xcellence in Teaching. In J. Holmes, S.C. Baker, & J. R. Stowell
(Eds.), Essays from e-xcellence in teaching (Vol. 11). Retrieved from the
Society for the Teaching of Psychology Web site:
http://teachpsych.org/ebooks/eit2011/index.php [I]
Simpson, E., & Varga, K. (2011). Gaining teaching experience in
graduate school. APS Observer, 24, 35-37.
Simpson, E., Varga, K., Frick, J., & Fragaszy, D. (2011). Infants
experience perceptual narrowing for non-primate faces. Infancy, 16, 18-
28. doi: 10.1111/j.1532-7078.2010.00052.x [PR]
 Varga, K. (2010, July). Modified team-based learning in a developmental
psychology course. SRCD Teachers Corner, 53, 8. [I]
Varga, K., Frick, J. E., *Kapa, L. L., & Dengler, M. J. (2010).
Developmental changes in inhibition of return from 3 to 6 months of age.
Infant Behavior and Development, 33, 245-249.
doi:10.1016/j.infbeh.2009.12 [PR]

PRESENTATIONS (* = STUDENT CO-AUTHOR, [I] = INVITED)

Stiegler-Balfour, J., Jakobsen, K. V., Daniel, D. B., & Stroud, M. (2016,

November). In-text references hurt knowledge construction in lower
ability readers. Poster to be presented at the Annual Meeting of the
Psychonomic Society, Boston, Massachusetts. [International]
Jakobsen, K. V., & Brandmark, A.* (2016, October). Team-based
learning vs. lecture: What do students remember? Poster to be presented
at the Society for Teaching of Psychologys Annual Conference on the
Teaching of Psychology, Decatur, Georgia.
Simpson, E. A., Jakobsen, K. V., Damon, F., Soumi, S., Ferarri, P., &
Paukner, A. (2016, August). Face detection in infant rhesus macaques
(Macaca mulatta). Poster presentation at the American Society of
Primatologists, Chicago, Illinois. [National]
Simpson, E. A., Jakobsen, K. V., Damon, F., Suomi, S., Ferrari, P., &
Paukner, A. (2016, May). Face detection, attention capture, and holding.
Paper presented at the International Congress of Infant Studies, New
Orleans, Louisiana. [International]
Larkin, R.*, Pellegrino, H.*, & Jakobsen, K.V. (2016, March).
Recognition memory across teaching methods: A lab study. Oral
presentation at the Team-Based Learning Collaborative Conference,
Albuquerque, New Mexico. [National]
Kerr Lawrence, N., Baker, S., & Jakobsen, K. V. (2015, January).
Changing students perceptions of instructor caring. Poster presented at
the National Institute on the Teaching of Psychology, St. Pete Beach,
Florida. [National]
Harris, C. M., Jakobsen, K. V., & Lyons, C. (2014, October). The
Madison Collaborative: Ethical reasoning in action. Symposia presented
at the Society for Teaching of Psychologys Annual Conference on the
Teaching of Psychology, Altanta, Georgia. [National]
Buchin, Z.*, Fullerton, A.*, Werner, K.*, Yee, K.*, & Jakobsen, K.V.
(2014, April). During visual search task, irrelevant human faces capture
attention. Poster presented at the Virginia Psychological Association
Spring Convention and Educational Conference, Norfolk, Virginia. [State]
Jakobsen, K. V., Umstead, L.*, Eisenmann, V.*, Cover, S.*, & Simpson, E.
A. (2013, October). Becoming human face detection specialists: Human
faces capture attention more quickly than animal faces in 11-month-olds,
but not 4- and 6-month-olds. Oral paper presented at the Cognitive
Development Society VII Biennial Meeting, Memphis, Tennessee.
[National]
Jakobsen, K. V., & McIlreavy, M. E. (2013, October). Promoting student
 learning through Team-Based Learning. Symposium presented at the
2013 Best Practices Conference: Research-Based Approaches for
Teaching Psychology, Atlanta, Georgia. [National]
Jakobsen, K. V., Simpson, E. A., Umstead, L.*, Perta, A.*, Eisenmann,
V.*, & Cover, S.* (2013, May). Human faces capture attention more
efficiently than animal faces in complex visual arrays. Poster presented at
the Association for Psychological Sciences Convention, Washington, D.C.
[International]
PRESENTATIONS CONTINUED

Jakobsen, K. V., Daniel, D. B., Marrs, S.*, Taylor, S.*, & Souza, E.*
(2012, May). Reading eBooks versus textbooks: An eye tracking study.
Poster presented at the Association for Psychological Sciences
Convention, Chicago, Illinois. [International]
Jakobsen, K.V., Mertins, H.*, Wilson, E.,* & Dunay, B.*, Simpson, E. A.
(2012, May). How general is attention capture? Poster presented at the
Association for Psychological Sciences Convention, Chicago, Illinois.
[International]
Sibley, J., & Jakobsen, K. V. (2012, March). Great workshop! Now what?
Invited workshop presented at the Team-Based Learning Collaborative
Conference, St. Petersburg, Florida. [National, I]
Marrs, S. A.*, Jakobsen, K. V., & Daniel, D. B. (2012, February). Are APA
citations speed-bumps? Poster presented at the 24st Southeastern
Conference on the Teaching of Psychology, Atlanta, Georgia. [Regional]
Lawrence, N. K., & Jakobsen, K. V. (2011, October). Active learning
strategies for any psychology course. Workshop presented at the 13th
Annual Mid-Atlantic Teaching of Psychology Conference, Largo,
Maryland. [Regional]
Lawrence, N. K., & Jakobsen, K. V. (2011, October). Active learning
strategies in large general psychology courses.
Symposium presented at the 2011 Best Practices Conference: Teaching
Introductory Psychology, Atlanta, Georgia. [National]
Varga, K. (2011, May). Team-based learning in Psychology classes.
Invited presentation at the 2011 Association for Psychological Science,
Washington, D.C. [International, I]
Simpson, E. A., Varga, K., Frick, J. E., & Fragaszy, D. (2011, March).
Developmental changes in animal face discrimination. Poster presented
at the Society of Research in Child Development, Montreal, Canada.
[International]
Best, J., Varga, K., & Carter, B. S.* (2011, March). The development of
planning and relations to attention. Poster presented at the Society of
Research in Child Development, Montreal, Canada. [International]
Prins, S. B., Broscheid, A., & Varga, K. (2010, November). Encouraging
adaptation: A continuum of team based learning. Interactive session
presented at the 35th Annual Professional and Organizational
Development Network in Higher Education Conference, St. Louis,
Missouri. [National]
Harris, C. M., Lee, M., Martino-McAllister, J., Pastor, D., & Varga, K.
 (2010, October). A 5-year follow-up: Assessing cognitive outcomes.
Symposium presented at the 2010 Best Practices Conference: Assessing
Teaching and Learning in Psychology, Atlanta, Georgia. [National]
Varga, K., & Kibler, E.* (2010, June). Qualitative analyses of a team-
based teaching approach as compared to lecture. Poster presented at
the Eastern Conference on the Teaching of Psychology, Staunton,
Virginia. [Regional]
Varga, K., Frick, J. E., Simpson, E. (2010, March). Toddlers
Understanding of Socially-Shared Directional Cues. Poster presented at
the International Conference on Infant Studies, Baltimore, Maryland.
[International]
Varga, K. & Daniel, D. B. (2010, February). Team-Based Learning
strategies: Getting students to take charge of their learning. Invited
workshop presented at the 22nd Southeastern Conference on Teaching of
Psychology, Atlanta, Georgia. [Regional, I]
Simpson, E., Varga, K., & Frick, J. (2009, October). Infant and adult
face discrimination beyond primates: Perceptual narrowing of facial
identity. Poster presented at the Cognitive Development Society
Conference, San Antonio, Texas. [National]
Dengler, M. J., Engles, M., Varga, K., Frick, J., & Hammond, B. R. (2009,
May). Contrast thresholds in infants compared to adults. Poster
presented at the Association for Research in Vision and Ophthalmology
Annual Meeting, Fort Lauderdale, Florida. [National]
Varga, K., Frick, J. E., *Stansky, L., *Beck, H., Dengler, M. J., & Bright,
M. A. (2009, April). I saw the sign: The development of directional
understanding. Poster presented at the Society for Research in Child
Development, Denver, Colorado. [International]
Varga, K., & Simpson, E. (2009, February). InterNetActive learning:
Enhancing students' knowledge base with web-based activities. Poster
presented at the 21st Southeastern Conference on teaching of Psychology,
Atlanta, Georgia.
Simpson, E., Varga, K., & Crast, J. (2009, February). Bringing animals
into the classroom: The use of live video-streaming to demonstrate
psychological concepts. Poster presented at the 21st Southeastern
Conference on teaching of Psychology, Atlanta, Georgia. [Regional]

PRESENTATIONS CONTINUED

Varga, K., Frick., J., *Kapa, L., & Dengler, M. (2008, March).
Developmental changes in IOR from 3 to 6 months of age. Poster
presented at the XVIth Biennial International Conference on Infant
Studies, Vancouver, Canada. [International]
Dengler, M., Frick, J., Hammond, B. R., Renzi, L., & Varga, K. (2008,
March). Visual performance in infants related to dietary intake of lutein
and zeaxanthin. Poster presented at the XVIth Biennial International
Conference on Infant Studies, Vancouver, Canada. [International]
Kipp, K., & Varga, K. (2007, March). Playdoh. Session presented at the
 19th Southeastern Conference on the Teaching of Psychology, Atlanta,
Georgia. [Regional]
Frick, J. E., Varga, K., Dengler, M., & McIlreavy, M. E. (2007, March).
Infant look duration and shifting of attention to static and live faces.
Poster presented at the Society for Research in Child Development
Biennial Meeting, Boston, Massachusetts. [International]
Frick, J. E. and Varga, K. (2006, Ocober). Infant attention and
disengagement to static and live faces. Poster presented at the Society
for Research in Human Development Conference, Fort Worth, Texas.
[National]
Diehl, M., Varga, K., Panneton, R., Kitamura, C., Burnham, D. (2006,
June). Six month olds perception of native speech accent. Poster
presented at the XVth International Conference on Infant Studies, Kyoto,
Japan. [International]
Varga, K. & Cooper, R. P. (2004, April). Six-month-old infants preference
for non-native language accent. Paper presented at the 2nd Annual
Virginia Tech Undergraduate Research and Potential Graduate Student
Conference, Blacksburg, Virginia. [Local]

STUDENT PRESENTATIONS AND PUBLICATIONS

Takahashi, L., Rodgers, B., Chhoun, A., Guirgis, D., & Lanzara, C. (2016,
April). Competition between faces: The role of own-species bias. Poster
presented at the Virginia Association for Psychological Science
Convention, Newport News, Virginia. [Regional]
Vega, A., & Brandmark, A. (2016, April). Recognition memory across
pedagogies. Oral presentation at the Virginia Association for
Psychological Science Convention, Newport News, Virginia. [Regional]
Rodgers, B., Takahashi, L., Chhoun, A., Guiris, D., Lanzara, C. (2016,
April). The effects of color and inversion on own-species bias. Poster
presented at the Department of Psychology Spring Research Symposium,
Harrisonburg, Virginia. [Local]
Brandmark, A., & Vega, A. (2016, April). Short-term recognition memory
across pedagogies. Poster presented at the Department of Psychology
Spring Research Symposium, Harrisonburg, Virginia. [Local]
Werner, K., Rodgers, B., & Worrell, R. (2015, April). Low-level
contributions to the own-species bias in face detection. Poster presented
at the Department of Psychology Spring Research Symposium,
Harrisonburg, Virginia. [Local]
Takahashi, L., Worrell, R., Rodgers, B., & Killen, R. (2015, April). 4-
month-olds show evidence of own-species bias. Poster presented at the
L. Starling Reid Undergraduate Psychology Conference, Charlottesville,
Virginia. [Regional]
Werner, K. (2015, April). Low-level contributions to the own-species bias
in face detection. Oral presentation at the L. Starling Reid
Undergraduate Psychology Conference, Charlottesville, Virginia.
[Regional]
Buchin, Z., Werner, K., Worrell, R., & Yee, K. (2014, April). Search
asymmetry for human faces. Poster presented at the Department of
Psychology Spring Research Symposium, Harrisonburg, VA. [Local]
Buchin, Z., Cover, S., & Werner, K. (2014, April). Attention capture of
human bodies. Poster presented at the Department of Psychology Spring
Research Symposium, Harrisonburg, VA. [Local]
Knetemann, M. (2014, April). Structure building and academic
performance. Poster presented at the L. Starling Reid Undergraduate
Psychology Conference, Charlottesville, Virginia. [Regional]
Eisenmann, V. (2014, April). Threat detection of evolutionarily
threatening stimuli. Poster presented at the Colonial Academic Alliance
Undergraduate Research Conference, Towson, Maryland. [Regional]
Perta, A. (2013, April). Attention capture of evolutionarily relevant
stimuli. Poster presented at the Department of Psychology Spring
Research Symposium, Harrisonburg, VA. [Local]

STUDENT PRESENTATIONS AND PUBLICATIONS CONTINUED

Umstead, L., Perta, A., Eisenmann, V., & Cover, S. (2013, May). Human
faces capture attention more efficiently than animal faces in complex
visual arrays. Poster presented at the Department of Psychology Spring
Research Symposium, Harrisonburg, VA. [Local]
Marrs, S. A. (2012, October). Why do we insist upon APA-style citations
in our introductory textbooks? Paper presented at the Northeastern
Educational Research Association Conference, Rocky Hill, CT. [Regional]
Dunay, B., Martin, K., Perta, A., & Umstead, L. (2012, April ). Whatcha
lookin at? Adult passive viewing task. Poster presented at the
Department of Psychology Spring Research Symposium, Harrisonburg,
VA. [Local]
Mertins, H., Wilson, E., & Dunay, B. (2012, April). Visual pop-out effects
in adults. Poster presented at the Colonial Academic Alliance
Undergraduate Research Conference, Norfolk, Virginia. [Regional]
Dunay, B., Mertins, H., & Wilson, E. (2012, April). How general is
attention capture for faces? Poster presented at the Department of
Psychology Spring Research Symposium, Harrisonburg, VA. [Local]
Marrs, S., Taylor, S., Souza, E., & Perta, A. (2012, April). eTextbook vs.
printed textbook performance and usability: An eye-tracking study.
Poster presented at the Department of Psychology Spring Research
Symposium, Harrisonburg, VA. [Local]
Kline, J. R., Roth, M. L., Andonyadis, Daisy, Taylor, S. E., & Marrs, S. A.
(2012, April). Does working memory predict planning ability? Poster
presented at the Department of Psychology Spring Research Symposium,
Harrisonburg, VA. [Local]
Kline, J. R., & Andonyadis, D. (2012, April). Trustworthiness and the
ovulatory cycle. Poster presented at the Department of Psychology
Spring Research Symposium, Harrisonburg, VA. [Local]
Carter, B. (2011, April). Cognitive development: Executive planning in
children. Poster presented at the Department of Psychology Spring
Research Symposium, Harrisonburg, VA. [Local]
Smith, B., Boyd, S., DeMoss, & Kline, J. (2011, April). Using arrows to
cue attention. Poster presented at the Department of Psychology Spring
Research Symposium, Harrisonburg, VA. [Local]
Kline, J., Hayden, J., Foell, S. & Andonyadis, D. (2011, April).
Development of working memory. Poster presented at the Psychology
Spring Research Symposium, Harrisonburg, VA. [Local]
Andonyadis, D., Boyd, S., Hayden, J., & Wu, A. (2011, April). Face
trustworthiness and ovulatory cycle. Poster presented at the Psychology
Spring Research Symposium, Harrisonburg, VA. [Local]
Wilson, E., Dunay, B., & Carter, B. (2011, April). Does the pop-out effect
exist for non-human primate faces? Poster presented at the Department
of Psychology Spring Research Symposium, Harrisonburg, VA. [Local]
Mertins, H., Roth, M., & Wu, A. (2011, April). Development of facial
discrimination in adults. Poster presented at James Madison University's
annual Undergraduate Psychology Symposium, Harrisonburg, Virginia.
[Local]
Carter, B., McCurdy, J., & Michel, A. (2010, April) Development of facial
identity perception. Poster presented at the Department of Psychology
Spring Research Symposium, Harrisonburg, VA. [Local]
Dawson, J., Lopez, S., & Mayberry, S. (2010, April). Cognitive
development: Executive planning in children. Poster presented at the
Department of Psychology Spring Research Symposium, Harrisonburg,
VA. [Local]
Beck, H., Swindler, K., Stansky, L., Johnson, S. (2009, March). The use of
arrow cues to direct the attention of young children. Poster presented at
the 8th Annual Georgia Undergraduate Research in Psychology
Conference, Kennesaw, Georgia. [State]
Stansky, S. L. (2009, April). The development of directional
understanding in three- to five-year-old children. Poster presented at the
Center for Undergraduate Research Opportunities Symposium, Athens,
Georgia. [Local]
Doyague, L. (2009, April). Facial identity recognition: Perceptual
narrowing from infancy through adulthood. Poster presented at the
Center for Undergraduate Research Opportunities Symposium, Athens,
Georgia. [Local]
Stansky, L. (2009, March). Which way should I go? The development of
directional understanding in young children. Paper presented the 32nd
Annual Convention of the Behavioral Sciences, Athens, Georgia. [Local]
Payne, M., & Bidwell, V. (2009, March). Infant reactions to the still face
paradigm with direct and averted gazes. Poster presented at the 32nd
Annual Convention of the Behavioral Sciences, Athens, Georgia. [Local]
Swindler, K., Beck, H., & Stansky, L. (2009, March). Attentional orienting
in infants, children, and adults. Poster presented at the 32nd Annual
Convention of the Behavioral Sciences, Athens, Georgia. [Local]
STUDENT PRESENTATIONS AND PUBLICATIONS CONTINUED

Beck, H., Swindler, K., Stansky, L., & Johnson, S. (2009, March). The use
 of arrow cues to direct the attention of young children. Poster presented
at the 8th Annual Georgia Undergraduate Research in Psychology
Conference, Kennesaw, Georgia. [State]
Doyague, L. (2009, March). Just another face in the crowd? Young
infants are surprisingly good at recognizing other species' faces. Paper
presented at the 32nd Annual Convention of the Behavioral Sciences,
University of Georgia, Athens, Georgia. [Local]
Kapa, L., Gower, M., & Giordano, A. (2007, March). IOR in six-month-old
infants: A study of attentional shifting. Poster presented at the 30th
Annual Convention of the Behavioral Sciences, Athens, Georgia. [Local]
Caudill, L. E., Childers, A. L., Dreaden, B. L., Giordano, A. L., Gower, M.
W., Richardson, K. M., Saef, A. C., Walker, C. E., & Wartner, A. B. (2006,
March). Infant attention and disengagement to static faces. Poster
presented at the 29th Annual Convention of the Behavioral Sciences,
Athens, Georgia. [Local]

STUDENT AWARDS

Deans Award for Outstanding Thesis Poster

Perta, A. (2013, April). Attention capture of evolutionarily relevant
stimuli. Poster presented at the Department of Psychology Spring
Research Symposium, Harrisonburg, VA.

Deans Award for Excellent Research Poster

Mertins, H., Roth, M., & Wu, A. (2011, April). Development of facial
discrimination in adults. Poster presented at James Madison University's
annual Undergraduate Psychology Symposium, Harrisonburg, Virginia.

Department of Psychology Award for Excellent Research Poster

Dunay, B., Mertins, H., & Wilson, E. (2012, April). How general is
attention capture for faces? Poster presented at the Department of
Psychology Spring Research Symposium, Harrisonburg, VA.
Wilson, E., Dunay, B., & Carter, B. (2011, April). Does the pop-out effect
exist for non-human primate faces? Poster presented at the Department
of Psychology Spring Research Symposium, Harrisonburg, VA.
Kline, J., Hayden, J., Foell, S. & Andonyadis, D. (2011, April).
Development of working memory. Poster presented at the Department of
Psychology Spring Research Symposium, Harrisonburg, VA.

Outstanding Research by an Undergraduate-Graduate Student

Team
Kline, J. R., Roth, M. L., Andonyadis, Daisy, Taylor, S. E., & Marrs, S. A.
(2012, April). Does working memory predict planning ability? Poster
presented at the Department of Psychology Spring Research Symposium,
Harrisonburg, VA.

Phi Beta Kappa Award Department of Psychology Nominee

Zach Buchin (2015) Critical thinking skills across the semester in lecture
 and Team-Based Learning classes

Phi Beta Kappa Award Department of Psychology Honorable

Mention
Perta ,A. (2013). Attention Capture of Evolutionarily Relevant Stimuli

STUDENTS SUPERVISED

Research assistants: Stella Lopez, Brad Carter, Julia McCurdy, Heather Davis,
Jessie Dawson, Sarah Mayberry, Alyssa Michel, Daisy Andonyadis, Shane Boyd,
Lauren DeMoss, Brittany Dunay, Shaunna Foell, Jessica Hayden, Haley Mertins,
Beth Smith, Emily Wilson, Amy Wu, Janna Kline, Megan Roth, Liz Souza, Sarah
Taylor, Angela Perta, Lindsey Umstead, Sidney Cover, Veronica Eisenmann,
Yisak Jang, Kim Marin, Zach Buchin, Katie Werner, Krysten Yee, Alison
Fullerton, Lily Takahashni, Rey Worrell, Ragan Killen, Brianne Rodgers,
Anthony Chhoun, Danielle Guirgis, Caroline Lanzara, Lindsey Cusimano,
Cameron Wilhelm
STUDENTS SUPERVISED CONTINUED

Teaching assistants: Shae Weingarten, Emily Wilson, Emily Jacobson, Natalie

Cocozza, Sarah Marrs, Marsha Renfroe, Ginger Wayland, Aneta Nikolic, Caitlin
Powell, Nadia Alchaar, Erik Simmons, Erin Holland, Brianne Rodgers, Allison
Piotrowski, Rachel Willard, Sarah Kraft, Jackie Seeman, Heather Asca, Sarah
Kline

Independent study: Alec Bernstein, Megan Knetemann, Hannah Pellegrino,

Allison Brandmark, Amariah Vega, Meredith Byrne

Honors thesis (chair):

Zach Buchin (2015) Critical thinking skills across the semester in lecture and
Team-Based Learning classes
Rachel Larkin (2015) Retention across pedagogies
Angela Perta (2013) Attention capture of evolutionarily relevant stimuli

Honors thesis (member): Daroon Jalil (in progress); Eliana Segal (2016);
Caroline Hall (2016); Shannon Malloy (2016); Julia Ricotta (2015), Nancy Costa
(2015), Ahsley Kalabritinos (2015), Hunter Green (2014), Lindsey Umstead
(2013), Christina Jordan (2012), Aubrey Tuttle (2012), Daisy Andonyadis
(2011), Katie Valliere (2011), Crystal Carter (2011)

Psychological Sciences M.A. thesis (chair):

Sarah Marrs (2013) To Move or Not to Move: The Impact of Instruction on
Childrens Planning and the Role of Inhibitory Control

SERVICE

Service to the Department of Psychology

Personnel Advisory Committee, Chair
 2016 Present
Methodology and Diversity Search Committee, Chair
2015 2016
Transfer Advising Effectiveness Committee, Co-chair
2013 2014
Biopsychology Search Committee, Member
2013 2014
Department of Psychology Assessment Committee, Co-chair
2013 2016
Summer Transfer Student Orientation, Member
2012, 2013
Personnel Advisory Committee, Member
2011 2013
Cognitive Psychology Search Committee, Member
2011 2012
Department of Psychology Student Symposium Committee
o Chair 2011 2012, 2013
Present
o Member 2010 2011,
2012 2013
Department of Psychology Awards Committee, Member
2010 2013
Life-Span Human Development Steering Committee, Co-chair
2010 Present
o Develop standards for the Life-Span Development course at JMU
Phi Beta Kappa Honors Thesis Award Selection Committee
2010
o Review and nominate one honors thesis to represent the Department of
Psychology
Department of Psychology Curriculum and Instruction Committee,
Member 2009 Present
o Review course and curriculum proposals

Service to the College of Health and Behavioral Studies

Undergraduate Curriculum Committee, Alternate Member
2010 2013

SERVICE CONTINUED

Service to the University

Sociocultural Thought Process Assessment Rating Committee, Facilitator
2016 2017
New Faculty Academy, Mentor
2016 Present
James Madison Undergraduate Research Journal, Reviewer
2016
General Education Diversity Position Statement, Member
 2016 Present
Teaching Analysis Poll Consultant, Center for Faculty Innovation
2016 Present
Assessment Advisory Council, Member
2015 Present
Madison Playgroup, Organizer
2014 Present
Request for Information Childcare Services and Facility Committee,
Member 2014 Present
JMU Daycare Taskforce, Member
2013 2014
First Year Advisor
2011 Present
JMU Daycare Planning Committee, Member
2011 2013
General Education Council, Alternate representative
2011 2013
Cluster Five Coordinator Search Committee, Member
2011
Sociocultural Thought Process Assessment Rating Committee, Member
2010, 2011
General Education Distinguished Teaching Award Committee, Member
2010 2011
General Education Sociocultural Domain Steering Committee, Member
2009 Present
Center for Faculty Innovation Workshops/Facilitator Roles
o Jakobsen, K. V., & Kerr Lawrence, N. (2016, February). Making large
classes seem small. Workshop presented for the Center for Faculty
Innovation Faculty Workshop Series, Harrisonburg, Virginia.
o Kerr Lawrence, N., & Jakobsen, K. V. (2015, May). Faculty perspectives
on work and parenthood. Roundtable presented at the JMU May
Symposium, Harrisonburg, Virginia.
o Scholarship of Teaching and Learning Faculty Interest Group Facilitator
(2011-2012)
o Conversations about Academic Culture Facilitator (2011)
o Paulson, S., Jakobsen, K.V., & Hyser, S. (2012, January). Mentoring
undergraduate research. Information session presented at the JMU January
Symposium, Harrisonburg, Virginia.
o Prins, S. B., Broscheid, A., & Varga, K. (2011, May). Team-Based Learning
Lockdown. Workshop presented at the JMU May Symposium.
Harrisonburg, Virginia.
o Prins, S., Broscheid, A., Varga, K., & Shonk, D. (2010, September).
Modified team-based learning for your course. Workshop presented for
Center for Faculty Innovation Faculty Workshop Series, Harrisonburg,
Virginia.

Service to the Community

 Harrisonburg-Rockingham County Daycare Center Executive Board,
Member 2010 2014
o Staff Development Committee, Chair, 2011-2014

Service to the Field

PsychTeacher Listserv, Moderator
2014 2016
Ad-hoc Reviewer
o Infancy
o Computers and Education
o Biology Letters
o Developmental Psychology
Judge for the Virginia Psychological Association Conference
2014

SERVICE CONTINUED

Service to the Field Continued

Reviewer for the Society for Research in Child Development (SRCD)
Conference
o Attention, Learning, & Memory
2012, 2014
o Infancy: Neurodevelopmental, Cognitive, Motor, Perceptual Processes Panel
2011
o Developmental Science Teaching Institute
2011
Judge for the Virginia Academy of Sciences
2010
Reviewer for the International Society on Infant Studies (ISIS)
International Conference on Infant Studies
o Attention, Memory, and Learning Review Panel
2010
Reviewer for the Association for Psychological Science (APS) Student
Caucus APS Convention 2009
o Research on Socially and Economically Underrepresented Populations (RiSE-
UP) Research Award
o Student Research Award
o Student Grant Competition
Reviewer for the American Psychological Association Convention
o Division 2 - Society for the Teaching of Psychology (STP)
2012
o Division 2 - Society for the Teaching of Psychology (STP)
2009
Reviewer for the 31st Annual Convention for the Behavioral Sciences
2008
 Janna Taft Young, Ph.D.
91 E. Grace St., Miller 2173, MSC 7704, Harrisonburg, VA 22807
Phone: 540.383.7903; Email: taftyojx@jmu.edu

EDUCATIONAL HISTORY

PHD (NEURO)PSYCHOLOGY 1999-2003

Florida Atlantic University Boca Raton, FL
Dissertation: Memory Deficits for Faces and Names in Alzheimers Disease:
Investigation with a Faces-Names Stroop-like Task.
Advisor: Monica Rosselli, PhD.

MA NEUROSCIENCE 1996-1999
Florida Atlantic University Boca Raton, FL
Thesis: Astrogliosis and its Correlates with Injury and Disease: GFAP
Immunocytochemistry in the Rat Brain.
Advisor: Gary Perry, PhD.

BS MATHEMATICS (CUM LAUDE), MINOR IN GERMAN 1991-1995

Florida Atlantic University Boca Raton, FL
Courses focused on mathematics, german, research methods, and psychology.

PROFESSIONAL POSITIONS
ASSISTANT PROFESSOR OF PSYCHOLOGY Harrisonburg, VA
James Madison University 2012-current
Biopsychology
General Psychology
Independent Study-Teaching Psychology & Biopsychology
Neuroscience of Memory, Senior Seminar
Psychological Measurement & Statistics

ASSOCIATE PROFESSOR OF PSYCHOLOGY, ADJUNCT Weyers Cave, VA

Blue Ridge Community College Summer 2012
Principles of Psychology

ASSISTANT PROFESSOR OF PSYCHOLOGY Bridgewater, VA

Bridgewater College 2005-2011
Applied Neuropsychology (formerly Neuropsychological Assessment)
Biology of Mind (replaces Cognitive Neuroscience)
General Psychology
Independent Study/Research/Honors Project
Measurement & Statistics
Memory & Cognition
Neurophysiology (formerly Introduction to Neuroscience)
Personal Development Portfolio 200/300/400

VISITING ASSISTANT PSYCHOLOGY PROFESSOR Lexington, VA

Washington and Lee University 2004-2005
Abnormal Psychology
Alzheimers disease Seminar
Brain and Behavior
Neuropsychological Assessment
Quantitative Literacy
 RESEARCH TECHNICIAN & MEMORY THERAPIST Boca & Jupiter, FL
Florida Atlantic University 2002-2004
In-home cognitive retraining (research program) therapy sessions for patients with mild
cognitive impairment or Alzheimers disease.
Project leader on cognitive program designed for the FAU community, with stimulating
mental exercises comprising many cognitive domains.
Research in developmental psychophysiology on mother and infant temperament
utilizing electroencephalogram.

GRADUATE TEACHING ASSISTANT / INSTRUCTOR Boca & Davie, FL

Florida Atlantic University 1999-2004
Biological Bases of Behavior - Supervisor: G. Perry, PhD
Biological Bases of Behavior 2 - Supervisor: S. Bressler, PhD
Neuropsychology - Supervisor: M. Rosselli, PhD
Research Methods - Supervisor: L. Liebovitch, PhD
The Mathematics and Science of Fractals - Supervisor: L. Liebovitch, PhD
Experimental Design & Statistical Inference - Supervisor: T. Monson, PhD
Statistics with laboratory - Supervisor: A. Nash, PhD
General Psychology - Supervisor: D. Wolgin, PhD
Subject Pool Coordinator - Supervisor: D. Wolgin, PhD

FAU GRADUATE ASSISTANT AND WEBMASTER Boca Raton, FL

Florida Atlantic University 1998-2002
Maintenance of FAU graduate programs and governmental funds in Education and
Science.
Creation and maintenance of various FAU graduate agencies with funding and academic
support to assist administration and student groups.
Organization and maintenance of FAU Graduate Studies websites including departmental
graduate programs.

NIMH GRADUATE RESEARCH TRAINING ASSISTANT Boca Raton, FL

Florida Atlantic University 1996-1998
Training and research in mathematics, computing, and neuroscience. Program focused on image analysis
such as quantitative methods for analyzing psychological and neural phenomenon. Supervisor: Gary Perry,
Ph.D.

MEMBERSHIP IN PROFESSIONAL ASSOCIATIONS

Association for Psychological Science Member National Academy of Neuropsychology Associate

Member International Neuropsychological Society Associate Society for Neuroscience Member Psi
Chi Member, International Honor Society in Psychology Phi Kappa Phi Member, National Honor Society
Sigma Xi Member, Scientific Research Society Alpha Epsilon Lambda Member, Graduate Student
Honor Society.

ACTIVITIES

Interviewer for JMUs Dingledine Scholarship JMU Cluster 5 Assessment Rater Member of Honors
Thesis Committee for JMU Undergraduate Psychology Student Eastern Teaching of Psychology
Conference Poster Judge Psi Chi Faculty Advisor @ Bridgewater College, 2006-2011 Institutional
Review Board, 2007-2010 (IRB Chair 2008-2009 & Vice-Chair 2007-2008) Institutional Effectiveness
(Course Evaluation & Faculty Reports Subcommittees) Member, 2006-2011 Research Resource Group
Committee Member, 2007-2011 Library Committee Member, 2009-2011 Teacher Education
Technology Committee Member, 2009-2011 Information Technology Committee Member, 2006-2009
Graduate Student Association President (2002-2003) & Vice-President (2001-2002) Created funded
 graduate assistantships and co-founded FAU's Agency for Graduate Concerns (2001-2003) Organized
Teaching Assistant Training Workshops (2000-2002) Organized Grant Writing and Dissertation
Workshops (2000-2001) Undergraduate Grants Committee Officer (1999-2002) Chair of Graduate
Grants Committee (1999-2001) Assisted in securing over $250,000 in funding for graduate grants
Parliament of the OWLS Member, FAU Leadership Honor Society (1999-2003) President of Psi Chi @
FAU, National Honor Society in Psychology (1998-2000) Mathematics tutor (1991-2003) Computer
assisted printmaking and web design Amateur photography.

SKILLS

TEACHING
Neurophysiology/Biopsychology & Biology of Mind/Cognitive Neuroscience (Brain & Behavior);
Statistics (lectures & labs); General Psychology; Memory & Cognition; Human and/or Abnormal
Neuropsychology & Assessment; Alzheimers disease.
Advising, supervising & counseling at undergraduate and graduate (up to 2004) level.
Developing teacher training programs and workshops and interactive technology in the classroom.

RESEARCH
Interactive classroom technology (e.g. clicker, iPad) and impact on student engagement and learning.
Celebrity recall and the role of contextual cues, memory priming, and/or status.
The role of interference in face/place-name memory recall and recognition in young adults.
Neuropsychological investigation of memory and language in healthy adults and Alzheimers disease.
Cognitive function and dysfunction in dementia and other neurological disorders (e.g. stroke and
epilepsy).
Neuroimaging for use as diagnostics or functional performance in young adult to adult populations.
Neuropathology of disease in human and rat models, and neurochemistry of rat brain with GFAP
staining.
Quantitative / statistical analyses of behavioral paradigms using SPSS software.

ADMINISTRATIVE / ORGANIZATIONAL
Committee work (chair, vice chair, member, organizing subcommittees, etc.) and problem solving
strategies.
Advisor to student honor society on campus (department specific for membership but open for
activities)
Consultant for memory lectures in the community.
Budget forecasting, grant budgeting and maintenance, fundraising.
Organizing seminars, training sessions and conferences, and detailed project searches.

COMPUTING
Course Management Systems: Canvas, Blackboard, Moodle.
Database & Statistical Packages: SPSS, tk20, Access, Integrated Functional Imaging System,
BrainVoyager 2000, MetaWin, Minitab.
Operating Systems: Windows, Macintosh, DOS, UNIX, VMS.
Office Software: Microsoft Office, Corel WordPerfect.
Presentation & Graphics Programs: Prezi, Keynote, Microsoft PowerPoint & Publisher,
Adobe Acrobat, Illustrator, PhotoDeluxe, Photoshop, Corel, Print Shop Ensemble, Photo Enhancer
Packages.
Web design: Macromedia Dreamweaver, Netscape Composer, HTML.

PUBLICATIONS & PRESENTATIONS

Young, J. Taft (in process). The Individual Benefit of Clicker Use in the General
Psychology Course. Teaching of Psychology.
 Young, J. Taft (June 2011). Clicking the Way to Better Test Scores?: The Effect of
Integrated Technology in the General Psychology Course. Eastern Teaching of Psychology Poster.

Aldstadt, Laura & Janna Taft Young, Ph.D. (April 2010). Visual and Auditory Cues in
Animated Character and Movie Naming. Virginia Psychological Association Paper.

Young, J. Taft & Rosselli, M. (in process). Disrupted semantic memory and face-name
interference in Alzheimers disease. Archives of Clinical Neuropsychology.

Stanley, Hope Harrison & Janna Taft Young, Ph.D. (April 2008). When is Memory at Its
Best?: The Impact of Emotional and Physical Arousal on Verbal and Visual Recall and Recognition.
Virginia Psychological Association Poster.

Bloom, Julie, Gordon, Ashley, Huston, Cameron & Janna Taft Young, Ph.D. (January
2008). Classroom Assessment of Adult Visuospatial and Memory Performance. National Institute on
the Teaching of Psychology Poster.

Taft, Janna R., Vertes, Robert P., & Perry, GW (August 2005). Distribution of GFAP+
Astrocytes in Adult and Neonatal Rat Brain. International Journal of Neuroscience,115, 1333-1343.

Taft, J.R., Massa, M., & Rosselli, M. (Nov. 2004). Face-name Interference in
Alzheimers disease. Archives of Clinical Neuropsychology, 19(7), 931-32.

Taft, J.R. (Dec. 2003). Memory Deficits for Faces and Names in Alzheimers Disease:
Investigation with a Faces-Names Stroop-like Task. Doctoral dissertation, Florida Atlantic University,
Boca Raton, FL 33431.

Taft, J.R., Massa, M., Matos, F.N., Yasin, A.R., & Rosselli, M. (Oct. 2003). Famous
Faces Naming Ability among Normal Adults with or without Semantic Interference. Archives of
Clinical Neuropsychology 18, 768.

Taft, J.R., Fernandez, M.L. & Rosselli, M. (Nov. 2001). Genetics and Neuropsychology
of Alzheimer Disease: Preliminary Results of a Meta-analysis. Society for Neuroscience Abstract,
#547.6.

Taft, J.R., Vertes, R.P., & Perry, G.W. (Nov. 2000). Differential Distribution of GFAP+
Astrocytes in the Mature and Immature Rat Brain. Society for Neuroscience Abstract, #618.18.

Taft, J.R. (Dec. 1999). Astrogliosis and its Correlates with Injury and Disease: GFAP
Immunocytochemistry in the Rat Brain. Master's thesis, Florida Atlantic University, Boca Raton, FL
33431.

Brain Awareness Week (BAW) Video Contest, Directed by Dr. Janna Taft Young,
submitted on June 9, 2011, hosted by Society for Neuroscience.

Understanding Schizophrenia: A Disorder of the Mind, Janna Taft Young, February 3,

2009 Invited Speaker at National Alliance on Mental Illness Research Meeting, Summit House,
Harrisonburg, VA.

Understanding Memory Loss: How Memory Works, Janna Taft Young, February 7, 2008
Invited Speaker at National Alliance on Mental Illness Research Meeting, Summit House,
Harrisonburg, VA.

Understanding Memory Loss: How Memory Works, Janna Taft Young, November 1,
2007 Invited Speaker at Alzheimers Associations Virginia Conference at James Madison University,
Harrisonburg, VA.
 Building Foundations of Memory & Family Members as Memory Keepers, Janna Taft
Young with Betsy Hayes, August 6 and April 28, 2007, Invited Speakers at Bridgewater Retirement
Community, Bridgewater, VA.

Face-name Interference in Alzheimers disease, Janna Taft Young, Fall 2006 Invited
Speaker at Radford University, Radford, VA.

Substance Abuse, Janna Taft Young, Bridgewater College, Fall 2006 Abnormal
Psychology Guest Lecturer, Bridgewater, VA.

Course Administration and Testing and Evaluation. Janna Taft, Florida Atlantic
University, Fall 2003 Graduate Training Seminar, Boca Raton, FL.

FAU Graduate Policies and Procedures. Janna Taft, Florida Atlantic University, Spring
2003 Graduate Orientation under supervision of Vice President for Research and Graduate Studies,
Boca Raton, FL.

Advances in Neuroimaging. Janna Taft, Florida Atlantic University, Department of

Psychology, Davie, FL.

Alzheimers Disease: The Biomedical Race Against Aging. Janna Taft, Florida Atlantic
University, Department of Psychology, Boca Raton, FL.

Genetics and Neuropsychology of Alzheimer Disease: Preliminary Results of a Meta-

analysis. Janna Taft, Margot Fernandez, and Monica Rosselli, Florida Atlantic University, Department
of Psychology, Boca Raton and Davie, FL.

Cognitive Decline in Patients with Familial Alzheimer's Disease Associated with E280A
Presenilin-1 Mutation: A Longitudinal Study. Janna Taft, Deborah Bojan, Monica Rosselli, Alfredo
Ardila, Virginia Standish, and Francisco Lopera, Florida Atlantic University, Department of
Psychology, Davie, FL and Universidad de Antioquia, Medellin-Colombia.

Astrogliosis and its Correlates with Injury and Disease: GFAP Immunocytochemistry in
the Rat Brain. Janna Taft and Gary W. Perry, Florida Atlantic University, Department of Psychology
and Center for Complex Systems and Brain Sciences, Boca Raton, FL.

GRANTS & AWARDS

JMUs Provost Award for Excellence in Part-time Teaching (2016)

Summer Teaching Unleashed Grant with JMUs CIT (2015)
Bridgewater Faculty Research Grant (2010-2011)
Bridgewater Faculty Grant (2005-2006)
National Academy of Neuropsychology Presentation Award (11/19/2004)
Newell Doctoral Fellowship (8/2001- 5/2003)
Rosenstein/Bachman Educational Trust Scholarship (6/2000- 5/2003)
Florida Atlantic University Graduate Research Grants (1999, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003)
SAMHSA Travel Grant Awardee, Research conference in CA (10/2000)
Psi Chi National Service Award (4/14/2000)
Florida Atlantic University Alumni Scholarship (1999-2000)
 REFERENCES

Dr. Kevin Apple, Professor and Head of Psychology, James Madison University, Miller 1123, Harrisonburg, VA
22807, applekj@jmu.edu, Tel (540)568-3696.

Dr. Michael Stoloff, Professor of Psychology and Associate Dean of Graduate School, James Madison University,
GSH 2, Harrisonburg, VA 22807, stolofml@jmu.edu, Tel (540)568-6396.

Dr. Claire Lyons, Associate Professor of Psychology, James Madison University, Miller 1181, Harrisonburg, VA
22807, lyonscw@jmu.edu, Tel (540)568-7660.

Dr. Tracy Zinn, Associate Professor of Psychology, James Madison University, Miller 1167, Harrisonburg, VA
22807, zinnte@jmu.edu, Tel (540)568-6309.

Dr. Hunter Honeycutt, Associate Professor of Psychology, Bridgewater College, Bowman Hall 211, Bridgewater, VA
22812, hhoneycu@bridgewater.edu, Tel (540)828-5439.

Dr. Jim Josefson, Associate Professor of Political Science and History and Director of Institutional Effectiveness,
Bridgewater College, Flory 217, Bridgewater, VA 22812, jjosefso@bridgewater.edu, Tel (540)828-5322.

Dr. Gavin Lawson, Associate Professor of Biology and Department Chair, Bridgewater College, McKinney Center
141, Bridgewater, VA 22812, glawson@bridgewater.edu, Tel (540)828-5467.

Dr. Lori Gano-Overway, Associate Professor of Health and Exercise Science, Bridgewater College, Nininger Hall
205, Bridgewater, VA 22812, lgano@bridgewater.edu, Tel (540)828-5728.

Roy Ferguson, Executive Vice President (Interim 2012-13 President) & Administrative Representative on the
Institutional Review Board, Bridgewater College, Flory 100, Bridgewater, VA 22812, rferguso@bridgewater.edu,
Tel (540)828-5307.