Meet our staff
Melody Mickens
Clinical Psychology Doctoral Student
Location
Billy Reynolds Jr. Building, First Floor
6605 W. Broad Street
Richmond, VA 23230
“Neuropsychology appeals to me because it involves knowledge about basic brain/behavioral research and application of this research to help individuals. I enjoy the challenge of interpreting and conceptualizing test data and then using it in a way that is clinically appropriate for the client population with whom I work. I chose to work with the VCU Parkinson’s and Movement Disorders Center to expand my knowledge of neurodegenerative disorders and gain exposure to the neuropsychological aspects of working with people with Parkinson’s disease.”
Education
- B.A. in Psychology, College of William and Mary
Research interests
As a graduate research assistant, I administer pre- and post-intervention testing and help conduct the Expressive Writing Study, which is a stress-relieving study that encourages clients to write for several 20-minute sessions during a two-week period. Additionally, I work with Dr. Lageman on the Neurocognitive Intervention for individuals with Parkinson’s, which is an 8-week project that encourages the daily use of a calendar system and teaches clients problem-solving strategies.
Other research interests include examining the relationship between sleep and cognitive performance in individuals with Parkinson’s and Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI) and participation in cognitive rehabilitation interventions for individuals with Mild Cognitive Impairment (MCI).
Professional affiliations
- American Psychological Association (APA) Student Affiliate Member
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Psi-Chi Member
Publications, abstracts and presentations
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Mickens, M., Hull, L., Perry, B. & Svikis, D. (June, 2011). Racial and ethnic differences in Predictors of problem drinking among college women. Poster presented at 2011 Annual Meeting ofthe Research Society on Alcoholism, Atlanta, GA.
Mickens, M., Langhorst, Lanni, S., Alvanzo, A. & Svikis, D. (June, 2009). Pregnant women at risk for prenatal alcohol and tobacco use. Poster presentation at 2009 Annual Meeting of the Research on Alcoholism, San Diego, CA.
