Psychology Faculty, Alumni, Student Present Research at NEPA Conference

Psychology Professors Dr. Bruce Steinberg and Dr. Elizabeth Carey, along with four Curry alumni and a current student, presented a research poster on ADHD at the New England Psychological Association Conference (NEPA) in October 2016.

Curry student and former student presenters were Tanisha Baptiste, Class of 2017, Katie Cummings '16, Jessica Newman '16, Raymond Nicks '11, and Nicholas Pawlak '16.

The research, represented in the poster titled, LORETA Z Score Neurofeedback With Two Adults With ADHD, demonstrates an improvement in the electrical activity of brain areas that support attention and memory.  The research involved using the electrical activity of the brain to control visual displays, in an effort to teach the participants to improve their attention to the visual displays.

This technique, which is known as Neurofeedback, has been successfully used to help individuals with Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) to increase their focus and concentration.  The team's implementation of this technique measured changes in attention with a combination of behavioral, neuropsychological and EEG measures of attention. 

"The New England Psychological Association's annual conference is a great opportunity for undergraduate students to present their research to students and faculty from other colleges and universities in the New England area," said Dr. Steinberg. "Attendance and participation in the conference is a tremendous opportunity for our students to experience professional growth and development, within a community of their peers."

"I am very proud of the role our students played in conducting this research in my Advanced Research seminar, as well as their accomplishment in bringing this project to a successful conclusion. The students did an excellent job of representing Curry College at the conference!"

Pictured above, L to R: Jessica Newman '16; Nicholas Pawlak '16; Katie Cummings '16; Tanisha Baptiste, Class of 2017