Alyssa J. Kersey
Department of Brain & Cognitive Sciences (585) 275-7657
University of Rochester, Rochester, NY akersey@bcs.rochester.edu
http://www.bcs.rochester.edu/people/akersey/home.html EDUCATION
2013 – Present University of Rochester (Rochester, NY) PhD Program in Brain & Cognitive Sciences Primary Advisor: Jessica Cantlon, PhD 2009 – 2013 Indiana University (Bloomington, IN)
B.S. Psychology with Highest Distinction and Honors, Neuroscience Certificate Honors Thesis Advisor: Karin James, PhD
2011 University of Salamanca (Salamanca, Spain)
Cursos Internacionales Study Abroad Summer Program
RESEARCH EXPERIENCE
2013 – Present Concepts, Objects, and Actions Lab (University of Rochester) PI: Jessica Cantlon, PhD and Brad Mahon, PhD
Graduate Research Assistant: Exploring the functional and structures changes that occur in the brain as a result of concept acquisition by relating age and
performance on behavioral tasks to neural data acquired using functional and structural magnetic resonance imaging in children (3 - 8 years) and adults.
2009 – 2013 Cognition and Action Neuroimaging Lab (Indiana University) PI: Karin James, PhD
Honors Thesis: Investigated the role of motor experience in the development of a visual network for cursive letters in children. Completed the full year honors thesis program in the Department of Psychological & Brain Sciences consisting of a full- year seminar course, a written thesis manuscript, a thesis defense, and a poster presentation at the J. R. Kantor Undergraduate Honors Banquet.
Research Assistant: Worked on several projects that investigated the relationship between cognition and action over development. I was involved in all stages of research including recruiting participants, running experiments, data coding, data analysis, and writing. Trained new RAs on MRI procedures and head camera coding. Worked with children from 18 months – 12 years.
2009 – 2013 Science, Technology, and Research Scholars (STARS) Program (Indiana University)
Member: Attended research talks by IU faculty and outside researchers.
Discussed current research with other student members. Presented posters in annual research symposia. Met with recruits to discuss program.
PUBLICATIONS AND MANUSCRIPTS UNDER REVIEW
Kersey, A. J., Clark, T. S., Lussier, C. A., Mahon, B. Z., & Cantlon, J. F. (under review). Development of tool representations in the dorsal and ventral streams.
James, K. H. & Kersey, A. J. (under review) Dorsal stream function in the young child: An fMRI investigation of visually-guided action.
Kersey, A. J. & James, K. H. (2013). Brain activation patterns resulting from learning letter forms through active self-production and passive observation in young children. Front. Psychol. 4:567 doi: 10.3389/fpsyg.2013.00567
PRESENTATIONS
Kersey, A. J. & Cantlon, J. F. (2015). Distinct neural circuitry underlying numerical development in 4- to 6-year-old children. Poster to be presented at The Cognitive Neuroscience Science Society Annual Meeting, San Francisco, CA.
Kersey, A. J. & James, K. H. (2013). The neural mechanisms underlying handwriting: Effects of sensorimotor experience. Poster presented at UCLA Psychology Undergraduate Research Conference, Los Angeles, CA.
Kersey, A. J. & James, K. H. (2013). The neural mechanisms underlying handwriting: Effects of
sensorimotor experience. Poster presented at J.R. Kantor Undergraduate Banquet, Bloomington, IN.
Kersey, A. J. & James, K. H. (2013). The neural mechanisms underlying handwriting: Effects of sensorimotor experience. Poster presented at STARS Research Symposium, Bloomington, IN.
Kersey, A. J. & James K. H. (2012). The role of motor experience in the development of distinct visual networks for cursive letters in 6-7 year olds. Poster presented at STARS Fall Reception,
Bloomington, IN.
Kersey, A. J. & James K. H. (2012). The role of motor experience in the development of distinct visual networks for cursive letters in 6-7 year olds. Poster presented at STARS Research Symposium, Bloomington, IN.
James, K.H. & Kersey, A. J. (2011). Dorsal stream function in 4-6 year old children: Assessing the neural correlates of the ‘posting’ task using fMRI. Poster presented at Hutton Honors College Research Symposium & Fair, Bloomington, IN.
James, K.H. & Kersey, A. J. (2011). Dorsal stream function in 4-6 year old children: Assessing the neural correlates of the ‘posting’ task using fMRI. Poster presented at STARS Research Symposium, Bloomington, IN.
James, K.H. & Kersey, A. J. (2011). Dorsal stream function in 4-6 year old children: Assessing the neural correlates of the ‘posting’ task using fMRI. Poster presented at 13th Annual Women in Science Research Conference, Bloomington, IN.
James, K.H. & Kersey, A. (2011). Dorsal stream function in the 4-6 year old child: Assessing the neural correlates of the posting task using fMRI. Talk presented by K. H. James at the Society for Research In Child Development. Montreal, PQ.
AWARDS, SCHOLARSHIPS, AND RECOGNITION
2014 – 2017 National Science Foundation (NSF) Graduate Research Fellowship 2013 Outstanding Honors Thesis Award (Psychological & Brain Sciences, IU) 2013 James A. Dinsmoor Award for Outstanding Undergraduate Research
(Psychological & Brain Sciences, IU)
2013 College of Arts & Sciences Excellence Award (STARS Symposium, IU)
2012 Phi Beta Kappa
2012 STARS Summer Stipend (IU)
2011 Edward L. Hutton International Experience Program Scholarship (IU)
2011 Psi Chi
2010 – 2013 Indiana University Founders Scholar
2010 Phi Eta Sigma/Alpha Lambda Delta Honorary Societies 2009 – 2013 Dean’s List (IU)
2009 – 2013 Indiana University Distinction Scholarship 2009 – 2013 Hutton Honors College Merit Scholarship (IU) 2009 – 2013 Hutton Honors College (IU)
TEACHING EXPERIENCE
Graduate Teaching Assistant (University of Rochester) Spring 2015 Neural Foundations of Behavior (K. Davis)
Independently led one recitation session per week to review class material.
Organized and led an additional review sessions before each exam. Met
individually with students to discuss material and exams. Graded exams consisting of multiple choice, true/false, and matching questions.
Future Faculty Workshops (University of Rochester) Fall 2013 Learner Centered Teaching
Attended workshop focused on incorporating hands-on teaching strategies to enhance student based learning. Participated in sessions specifically addressing
“Engaging exercises in critical thinking” and “Engaging the lecture hall audience.”
Undergraduate Teaching Assistant (Indiana University) Fall 2012 Introductory Psychology I (J. Craig)
Presented material on considerations and applications of fMRI studies with
children. Independently discussed class material with students during office hours.
Reviewed exams for clarity and typos. Prepared materials for and attended class.
Managed classroom technology during lectures.
Fall 2011 General Introductory Psychology, Honors (E. M. Wakefield)
Created practice and review worksheets and test questions. Independently discussed class material with students during office hours. Reviewed exams for clarity and typos. Assisted in grading multiple choice and short answer exam questions. Provided feedback on class progress and experiences to instructor.
Spring 2011 Introductory Psychology I (P. Summers)
Organized materials for upcoming classes. Graded short answer exam questions.
Spring 2012 Assistant to the Introductory Psychology Coordinator (Indiana University) Prepared materials for introductory psychology courses, proctored exams, and compiled lists of demonstrations and videos for teaching large lecture classes.
Fall 2011 Tutor (Indiana University)
Methods in Experimental Psychology (B. Motz)
Discussed and explained data analysis procedures. Reviewed proper scientific writing techniques and APA formatting with students.
Spring 2011 Undergraduate Teaching Internship Course (Indiana University PSY-P356) Completed a project on the benefits of multiple choice practice questions on test score. Discussed testing and grading methods. Found demonstrations to present in class.
UNDERGRADUATE RESEARCH MENTORSHIP
Spring 2015 Matt Mullen (Honors Thesis), Julia Yurkovic (Honors Thesis) Fall 2014 Julia Yurkovic (Honors Thesis)
Mentee Awards:
2015 Daniel J. Cohen Fellowship in Developmental Social Neuroscience (Marcus Autism Center, Atlanta, GA): Julia Yurkovic
SCIENCE OUTREACH
Brain Awareness Week (University of Rochester, Neuroscience Department) 2015 Planning Committee: Planned activities for three age groups (grades K-1, 2-3, and
4-5) to teach children about how memory works. Led training sessions for volunteers to explain the activities for each grade and topic.
2014 – 2015 Student Representative: Visited local schools and an after-school program to teach children in Kindergarten through 5th grade about how the brain works.
Specifically led activities that taught children how the brain helps people use their senses to explore and understand the world around them, how memory works, and how the parts of the brain communicate (signal transduction).
2014 – Present Rochester Museum & Science Center (Rochester, NY)
Volunteer: Explained a variety of exhibits to children and their parents including interactive exhibits that engage children in critical scientific thinking.
2013 Child-Scientist Activity Week (Indiana University)
Staff Member: Designed and led activities about the brain in the implementation of a summer morning day camp for young children (4-5 years) sponsored by the developmental psychology labs in the Department of Psychological and Brain Sciences at Indiana University.
2012 – 2013 WonderLab Museum of Science, Health, & Technology (Bloomington, IN) Volunteer: Engaged children and their parents in learning about science by explaining how to use the interactive exhibits. Maintained cleanliness and order.
2012 – 2013 Farmer’s Market Booth (Bloomington, IN)
Lab Representative: Spoke to families about the developmental psychology research at Indiana University and encouraged parents to sign up to participate.
2011 Girl Scout Math and Science Day (Bloomington, IN)
Student Ambassador for the Indiana University Department of Psychological &
Brain Sciences: Led activities to teach young girls about the brain and to encourage excitement about careers in brain science.
2010 Field Museum, Crown Family PlayLab (Chicago, IL)
Volunteer: Encouraged children to explore the world around them like a scientist by engaging them in interactive exhibits about the forest, pueblos, insects, and fossils. Maintained exhibit cleanliness and welcomed families to the lab space.
ACADEMIC SERVICE
Spring, Fall 2014 Conference Travel Funding Application Reviewer Graduate Student Association, University of Rochester
Spring 2012 Symposium Speaker Selection Committee
Science, Technology, and Research Scholars, Indiana University Spring 2012 Honors Research Symposium Steering Committee
Hutton Honors College, Indiana University
Spring 2012 Honors Research Symposium Undergraduate Moderator Hutton Honors College, Indiana University
SKILLS AND CERTIFICATIONS
Software: Microsoft Office, BrainVoyager®, SPSS, SuperLab, ELAN, MATLAB, R, Adobe Illustrator Hardware: Comfortable with Mac and Windows
Certifications: MRI Safety Certified Languages: Conversational Spanish
