Curriculum Vitae

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Sharmila A. Chari

M.A., M. Phil., Ph. D

 

                                                                                                                                    

Research Assistant Professor

Adolescent and Adult Learning Research Center

Krasnow Institute for Advanced Study

George Mason University

Fairfax, VA 22030

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

           

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Personal Details                                                                                                   

Name:                                                 SHARMILA A. CHARI

Gender:                                              Female

Address:                                             43714, Scarlet Square

                                                            Chantilly, VA 20152

 

E-mail:                                                schari@gmu.edu

sharmilachari@yahoo.com

 

Telephone:                                         703-993-4376 (office)

703-542-2232 (home)

                                                            703-945-7663 (mob)

 

Professional Qualifications    M. A (Applied Child Psychology)                             

M. Phil (Clinical Psychology)                                                                                    Ph. D (Clinical NeuroPsychology)

              

Current Profession and Research Engagements 

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                       

Research Assistant Professor, Adolescent & Adult Learning Research Center

Krasnow Institute for Advanced Study, George Mason University, Fairfax, Virginia.

 

Working as Clinical NeuroPsychologist since 2001, in the research programs ‘Youth of Promise, Phase I-III ’ and  Special Projects and Demonstrations for Providing Vocational Rehabilitation Services to Individuals with Severe Disabilities’ both funded by US Department of Education

 

Specialist Training & Expertise

 

Design, Development, Administration and Statistical Analysis of Cognitive and Neuropsychological Assessments for

(a)    Learning-disabled & normal, adolescent & adults

(b)   HIV-infected population and AIDS Patients

Statistical Analysis of Clinical & Psychophysiological Data

Advanced Statistical Applications: SPSS and SAS  

Knowledge Base: Neurosciences- Clinical & Developmental NeuroPsychology

Knowledge Domain & Core Competency: Psychometric & ERP/EEG Evaluations

 

 

The main objective of the current research program is to design, develop and validate effective information processing assessment tools of instructional interventions and companion manuals, for adolescents and adults with receptive language disorders, mental imaging difficulties and phonemic awareness deficits. The way forward and long-term pursuit is to dedicate efforts towards development of self-administered remedial tools/aids of education for learning-impaired children, designed with strategies based on Cognitive Psychology and Neurobiological research, thus contributing to the realization of the ‘No Child Left Behind’ mission.

 

 

Current Research Accomplishments, Expertise and Specialty Training

                                                                                                                                              

  • Evaluated the feasibility and cost/benefit of several commercial, computer-driven, software remediation programs for learning-disabled school children, through experimental ERP/EEG assessments. Discerned the strengths and weakness of the packages and enumerated the scope for modification and improvisation (Daily Mason Gazette, 11 March, 2003)

                                                   

  • Key person with major efforts & contributions to the design and administration of diverse ERP/EEG and Psychometric tasks (Auditory and Visual) specifically tailored to discern differences in Psychophysiological profiles of learning-impaired and normal children

                                                                                                            

  • Anchor-person for establishing on-site ERP/EEG laboratory facilities at select Middle and High Schools in Northern Virginia. (http://krasnow.gmu.edu/aalrc/ )

Taught, trained and lead cross-functional teams of graduate students and research assistants for ERP/EEG recordings. Directly administered ERP/EEG assessments, supervised the proceedings on-site and interacted with parents and the children population at the schools, which enabled efficient & productive data-collection

                                                                                                                                

  • Assumed the Leadership role for Design, Development and Creation of Databases for Psychometric, EEG as well as ERP results; and also taken up complete responsibility for data-mining and analysis of the collected information. Long standing research experience in analyzing clinical data utilizing diverse, advanced statistical methods which includes Multivariate Analysis, enabled the successful completion (data collected in Phase I&II, Phase III-ongoing), and presentation in ‘Educational Neuroscience: Building Bridges from Research to Educational Practice’- Annual Meeting of American Educational Research, 2004

                                                                                                                                                               

  • Contributed to collaborative experimental studies, on the application of fully optimized linear and quadratic canonical discrimination analysis in the resolution of physiological responses to auditory stimuli in school children – Submitted to Journal of Cognitive Neurosciences

                                                                                                                                                             

  • Serving as a resource person: Responsible for manuscript development, preparation and dissemination, communication with other Scientists that are renowned experts in and related fields of Clinical NeuroPsychology

Summary of Professional Experience

                                                                                                                                   

Sep 2002 till date:                              Research Assistant Professor

                                                            Adolescent & Adult Learning Research Center

                                                            Krasnow Institute for Advanced Study

George Mason University, Fairfax, VA

           

Jan 2001 to Sep 2002:                       Post-doctoral Fellow

                                                            Adolescent & Adult Learning Research Center

                                                            Krasnow Institute for Advanced Study

George Mason University, Fairfax, VA

 

Jan 1999 to Dec 2000:                       Project Officer

                                                            Department of PsychoPharmacology

National Institute of Mental Health &

NeuroSciences  (NIMHANS)

                                                            Bangalore, INDIA

 

Nov 1994 to May 1999:                     Ph. D Scholar

                                                            Departments of NeuroPsychology &

NeuroVirology, HIV/AIDS Section

                                                            NIMHANS, Bangalore, INDIA.

 

Sep 1993 to Nov 1998:                      Research Associate

                                                            Indo-US Project

Deaddiction Unit, NIMHANS

Bangalore, INDIA

                                                           

Sep 1988 to Aug 1993:                       Lecturer

                                                            Clinical Psychology

                                                            Department of Psychiatry

                                                            Christian Medical College, Vellore

                                                            INDIA.

 

Sep 1986 to Aug 1988:                       M. Phil. Scholar

                                                            Clinical Psychology

                                                            NIMHANS, Bangalore, INDIA

 

July 1985 to July 1986:                      Child Psychologist

                                                            Balamandir Research Foundation

                                                            Madras, INDIA

 

June1983 to June 1985:                     M. A. Student

                                                            University of Madras, INDIA.

 

 

 

Summary of Research Experience

 

2002 - till date:                         Research Assistant Professor,

                                                            Krasnow Institute for Advanced Study

George Mason University, Fairfax, VA

 

2001 to 2002:                                      Post Doctoral Fellow

                                                            Krasnow Institute for Advanced Study

George Mason University, Fairfax, VA

 

1999 to 2000:                                      Project Officer

 

1993 to 1998:                                      Senior Research Fellow (Deaddiction, HIV/AIDS)

 

1989 to 1993:                                      Senior Research Resource (HIV/AIDS) Person

 

1988 to 1989:                                      Senior ICMR Research Associate

 

1985 to 1986:                                      Clinical Research Associate

 

1984 to 1985:                                      Research Assistant

 

 

Professional Experience

 

·        M.A., 1984-86 Quantitative Methods in Psychology, Cognitive Psychology, Systems and Approaches of Psychology, Developmental Counseling, PsychoDiagnostics

 

·        M.Phil., 1986-88  SocioCultural Foundations of Behavior, Clinical Research Methods, Psychiatry, Biological Foundations of Behavior and NeuroPsychology,

Clinical Psychology: Therapeutic and PsychoPathology

 

·        Research Assistant, 1985-86, with Dr. Sharada Menon, in the project on ‘Effectiveness of Special Education for Slow Learners’ at the Balamandir Research Foundation, Madras

 

·        Research Associate in Clinical Psychology, 1985-86 at T. T. Ranganathan Clinical Research Foundation, Madras. Conducted individual, group and supportive Psychotherapy for Alcoholics and their families

 

·        Senior Research Associate, 1987-89 in the Indian Medical Research Council (ICMR) Project ‘Type A Personalities and Coronary Heart Disease’ at the Christian Medical College (CMCH), Vellore, India

 

·        Lecturer in the Faculty of Department of Psychiatry, 1988-93, Christian Medical

College (CMCH), Vellore, India.

Active involvement and participation in related research, teaching, training in  Clinical Programs of the Institute. Taught and trained Postgraduate and Undergraduate Students of Medicine, Nursing, Psychiatry, Occupational and Physiotherapy. In Clinical Psychology: Completed course on Principles and Practice of Epidemiology (1991)

Resource Person to evaluate and compile Course/Instruction material for distance program in Counseling and Education for Teachers under IGNOY and National Council for Education and Research Training (1992)

 

·         Senior Research Fellow 1993-98 in the Indo-US Project ‘PsychoPhysiological and NeuroPsychological Correlates of Recovery from Chronic Alcoholism’ at NIMHANS. Adjunct position during the Ph. D Program.

 

·        Ph. D Scholar, 1995-1999 Specialized in NeuroPsychology with major emphasis on PsychoPhysiological and NeuroPsychological Correlates of Cognitive Functioning in HIV Positive Subjects

Conducted research& training programs in AIDS/HIV. Convened, coordinated

and conducted workshops and outreach programs for training of instructors in AIDS/HIV Counseling under CMC Hospital as well as national Programs of Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR)

 

      Delivered invited lectures and presented papers on diverse aspects of AIDS/HIV:

(i)         Cognitive functioning in Asymptomatic HIV positive subjects

(ii)                Social support and subjective well being & coping among HIV positive subjects

(iii)               Personality profile and subjective well being & coping among HIV positive subjects

(iv)              Cognitive decline in Asymptomatic HIV positive subjects: Follow-up studies and analysis

 

·        Project Officer, 1999-2000: Department of PsychoPharmacology NIMHANS. Engaged in two projects on Alternative Systems of Medicine for the pharmaceutical companies Astra & Aristo Pharma, on PsychoPharmacological aspects of proprietary drug molecules. Investigated cognitive effects of Ayurvedic drugs in animal models

 

·        Postdoctoral  Fellow,  2001 – 2002: Adolescent & Adult Learning Research Center

Krasnow Institute for Advanced Study, George Mason University. Clinical Neuro- Psychologist (please see pages 2-3)                                              

 

·        Research Assistant Professor, 2002–Present: Adolescent and Adult Learning Research Center, Krasnow Institute for Advanced Study, George Mason University.

(As detailed in pages 2 & 3)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Bibliography

 

Thesis Titled “ Comparative Study Of Security- Insecurity  Levels  Of  Alcoholics  And  Their  Children” ( M. A., Madras University, 1985)

 

Thesis Titled “Effectiveness Of Behaviour Modification For Behaviour Problems Amongst Institutionalized Mentally Retarded Adolescents     ( M. Phil., Bangalore University, 1988 ).

 

Thesis Titled “ Cognitive Functioning In Asymptomatic HIV Positive Subjects: A PsychoPhysiological And NeuroPsychological Investigation” ( Ph. D, NIMHANS, Deemed University, 1999)

 

Presented A Paper Titled “Behavior Modification Techniques, Role And Effectiveness Amongt Institutionalized Mentally Retarded Individuals”, At The 18th Annual Conference Of The Indian Association Of Clinical Psychologists, Held At Madras (1990)

 

Presented A Paper “ Effectiveness Of Behavioural Intervention With Institutionalized Adolescent Mentally Retarded Individuals”, At The Annual National Conference Of The Indian Association Of Clinical Psychologist Held At Coimbatore, (Jan 1991)

 

Presented An Invited Paper Titled ‘ Women And Mental Health- A Psychological Perspective’ At The Conference Conducted By Tamilnadu State Chapter Of World Association For PsychoSocial Rehabilitation Held At Trichy, (Oct 1991)

 

Presented A Paper Titled “ Cognitive Evaluation Of Early HIV Infection “ At The Annual National Conference Of The Indian Psychiatrists Association, Held At New Delhi. (Jan 1992)

 

Presented A Paper Titled “ Influence Of Personality Variables On Measures Of Subjective Well Being And Social Support In A Group Of HIV Positive Individuals” At The 2nd International Aids Conference, Asia And The Pacific, Held At New Delhi, (Nov 1992)

 

Presented A Paper Titled “ Coping Behavior And Subjective Well Being In A Cohort Of HIV Positive Subjects “ At The Annual National Conference Of The Indian Psychiatrists Association Held At Lucknow (Jan 1993)

 

Presented A Paper “ NeuroPsychological Assessment In HIV Positive Individuals “ At The National Workshop In Clinical NeuroPsychology, Conducted By The Department Of Clinical Psychology, National Institute Of Mental Health And Neurosciences, (NIMHANS Deemed University ), 24-29 Oct, 1996. (Invited Paper). Published In The Proceedings Of The Workshop.

 

Conducted A Workshop “Training Of Trainers “ With Dr. Jacob K John On Behalf Of ICMR And The Ministry Of Health At Manipur, Sept 1992 And Sept 1994 For Various Non Governmental Officials.

 

Conducted Multiple Workshops On “Training Of Trainers” For Public Health Workers, Commercial Sex Workers, NGOs And Barbers On Behalf Of The Resource And Reference Centre, PsychoSocial Aspects Of AIDS, Department Of Psychiatry, Christian Medical College, Vellore, During 1988-1993

 

Compiled The Manual What Is AIDS For Resource Personnel In English And Vernacular Languages, For The Research And Reference Centre, PsychoSocial Aspects Of AIDS, Department Of Psychiatry, Christian Medical College.,Vellore, Tamilnadu, India.

 

Compiled The Manual Caring For Someone With AIDS Information For Caregivers, For The Resource And Reference Centre, PsychoSocial Aspects Of AIDS, Department Of Psychiatry, Christian Medical College, Vellore, Tamilnadu, India.

Have Rapporteured And Compiled The Proceedings Of Various Conferences Held At NIMHANS During The Period 1993-1999 .

 

Sharmila Chari and Jacob K John.B , “ Social Support-  An Alternate To Care”, In Mental Health In India, A PsychoSocial Perspective, Edited By Dr Purnima Mane, Tata Institute For Social Studies, Bombay, India. (1993)

           

Sharmila Chari and C R Mukundan. NeuroPsychological Correlates Of Recovery From Alcoholism ( In preparation )

 

Sharmila Chari and C R Mukundan. Cognitive Evaluation Of Early HIV Infection ( In preparation)

 

Chittaranjan Andrade, John F. Tharakaran & Sharmila Chari (2001). Malingering in Ravens Standard Progressive Matrices, Indian Journal of Psychiatry, 43 (1), 36-40

 

Andrade C & Sharmila Chari (2002) The Flynn Effect: An Alert to Clinicians
Indian Journal of Psychiatry, 44(S), 23

 

 

Barbara K Given, Sharmila Chari and Julie Ennis, (2002) Physiological and Psychological Comparisons of Poor and Expert Readers. Paper presented at Krasnow Research Institute, George Mason University.

 

Barbara K Given, Sharmila Chari and Julie Ennis (2003). Differences in Low Average and Expert readers as Measured by EEG/ERPs: Preliminary Findings and Challenges of an In School Psycho- Physiological Research project. Paper presented at American Educational Research Association 2004 Annual Meeting, for the session Educational Neuroscience: Building Bridges from Research to Educational Practice.

 

Stepan Y Kruglikov, Sharmila Chari, Paul E Rapp, Steven L Weinstein, Barbara K Given and  Steven J Schiff (2005). Fully Optimized Discrimination of Physiological Responses to Auditory Stimuli (submitted to Journal of Cognitive Neuroscience) 

John H Wasserman, Sharmila Chari and Barbara K Given (2005) A Randomized, controlled Investigation of Fast ForWord in Middle School Struggling Readers (Submitted to Reading Research Quarterly)  

Sharmila Chari, John H Wasserman and Barbara K Given (2006) An Emerging Model of Sublexical and Lexical Influences on Reading. (Submitted to Reading Research Quarterly) 

Sharmila Chari, John H Wasserman and Barbara K Given (2006) Model of Sublexical and Lexical Influences of reading revisited (in preparation) 

 

Guinevere Eden, Sharmila Chari and Barbara K Given (2006) Effectiveness Of Computer Generated Intervention Program For Reading in Disabled Children (in preparation)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

References

 

Dr. Barbara K Given

                Director

            Adolescent & Adult Learning Research Center

            Krasnow Institute for Advanced Study

            George Mason University

            Fairfax, VA, 22030

                E-mail: bgiven@gmu.edu

            Phone: 703-993-4406

 

      Dr. James L Olds

      Director & Professor of Computational Neurosciences   

      Krasnow Institute for Advanced Study

      George Mason University

       Fairfax, VA, 22030

       E-mail: jolds@gmu.edu

       Phone: 703-993-4378 / 703-993-4333

 

      Dr. Harold J Morowitz

      Robinson Professor of Biology and Biochemistry

      George Mason University

      Fairfax, VA 22030

      E-mail: morowitz@gmu.edu

      Phone: 703-993-4334

 

Professor Paul E Rapp

School of Medicine

Department of Pharmacology and Physiology

Clinical Research Center, Building 52

Norristown State Hospital

1001 Sterigere Street

Norristown, PA 19401-5397

 

E-mail: per23@drexel.edu  & Paul.E.Rapp@Drexel.edu

Phone: 610-313-1156

 

Professor Jacob K John,  MD

                Sabbatical Address

HALEACRE UNIT

Amersham Hospital

Old Amersham, Bucks,

HP7  0JD, United K

 

Email:  jkjohn@tesco.net

 jkj48@hotmail.com

 

Permanent Address:

Head of Department of Psychiatry

Christian Medical College

Bagayam, Vellore

632002, INDIA

Phone: + 416-2552603, Ext: 4259

            + 416-2556284 (Res)

 

           

            Professor Shobini L Rao,  Ph. D

            Department of NeuroPsychology

            National Institute of Mental Health and NeuroSciences

            (NIMHANS)

            Hosur Road

            Bangalore 560 029

            Tel:   91-80- 6695188

 

            Email: shobini@nimhans.kar.nic.in