Cara E. Pugliese, M.S. - Psychology Department - Virginia Tech

Department of Psychology
Virginia Tech
109 Williams Hall
Blacksburg, VA 24061
Cara E. Pugliese, M.S.
CPugliese@vt.edu
Fax: 540-­‐231-­‐3652
Mobile: (703) 244-­‐3678
EDUCATION
Virginia Tech, Blacksburg, VA
Doctoral candidate, Clinical Psychology, expected graduation: May 2012, GPA = 4.0
Advisor: Susan White, Ph.D.
University of Exeter, Exeter, England
M.S. in Social and Organisational Psychology, May 2007, with Distinction
Co-­‐advisors: Jolanda Jetten, Ph.D.; Catherine Haslam, Ph.D.
Thesis Title: Memory, Identity, and Well-­‐Being in Older Adults with Dementia
University of Richmond, Richmond, VA
B.A. with a double major in Psychology and Women, Gender, and Sexuality Studies, May
2005, cum laude
RESEARCH ACTIVITY
Virginia Tech, Blacksburg, VA
Research Assistant and Co-­‐therapist on the Multimodal Anxiety & Social Skills Intervention
(MASSI) Study, August 2008-­‐2010
Graduate research assistant and co-­‐therapist in the Psychosocial Interventions Lab for
National Institute of Mental Health funded research projected for adolescents with Autism
Spectrum Disorders. Duties included administering clinical interviews, assessments (ADOS,
ADI-­‐R, ADIS, and WASI), and questionnaires to adolescents and their families. Co-­‐therapist
duties included delivering a manualized cognitive-­‐behavioral treatment and social skills
training to adolescents with co-­‐occurring ASD and anxiety disorders.
Supervisor: Susan White, Ph.D.
University of Exeter, Exeter, England
Research Assistant: Program for the Study of the Individual in the Group: Social Identity and
the Dynamics of Change, May 2007 – September 2007
Researcher and co-­‐therapist on an Economic and Social Research Council funded research
project investigating social identity and the dynamics of change in a dementia population.
Responsibilities included administering psychological assessments of well-­‐being, cognitive
ability, memory functioning and social identity to an aging clinical population in Somerset
Care Homes. Co-­‐therapist duties included implementing one-­‐to-­‐one therapeutic techniques
based on the principles reminiscence therapy, recruiting participants, liaising with care
homes, and interviewing residents.
Supervisors: Alexander Haslam, Ph.D., Jolanda Jetten., Ph.D., Catherine Haslam, Ph.D.
University of Richmond, Richmond, Virginia
Research Assistant: Neuroscience Laboratories, September 2001 – January 2002,
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May 2005 – August 2005
Research assistant in developmental neuroscience lab studying effects of neurobiology and
neurochemistry on social behaviors in animals. Research focused on mapping the effects of
pregnancy, lactation, and offspring exposure on the female brain. Duties included collecting
observational data, conducting behavior assessments, coding data, performing perfusions
and taking brain tissue samples from rats.
Supervisor: Craig Kinsley, Ph.D.
Research Assistant, September 2004 – May 2005
Research assistant in the areas of aging, adult development, self-­‐efficacy, memory and
cognition. Duties included conducting literature searches, data entry, and preparation of
participant materials and administration of assessments.
Supervisor: Jane Berry, Ph.D.
Publications
Peer Reviewed Publications
Jetten, J., Haslam, C., Pugliese, C., Tonks, J., & Haslam, S.A. (2010). Declining
autobiographical memory and the loss of identity: Effects on wellbeing. Journal of
Clinical and Experimental Neuropsychology, 32, 408-­‐416.
doi: 10.1080/13803390903140603
Haslam, C., Jetten, J., Haslam, S.A., Pugliese, C., & Tonks, J. (2010). I remember therefore I
am, and I am therefore I remember: Exploring the contributions of episodic and
semantic self-­‐knowledge to strength of identity. British Journal of Psychology. Advance
online publication. doi: 10.1348/000712610X508091
Publications Under Review or in Preparation:
Pugliese, C. & Scott, M. (2010). The academic achievement paradox:
Influences of self-­‐assessed intelligence and conscientiousness. Manuscript
submitted for publication.
Pugliese, C., White, B. A., White, S.W., & Ollendick, T. (2010). Social anxiety predicts
aggression in children with high functioning autism spectrum disorders. Manuscript
submitted for publication.
White, S. W., Kreiser, N., Pugliese, C., & Scarpa, A. (2011). Autism spectrum disorder
symptoms and aggression in a college population. Manuscript in preparation.
Non-­‐peer reviewed publications
White, S. W. & Pugliese, C. (2009). Growing up with autism: What’s ahead and what
can scientists and practitioners do to help? ABCT Developmental Disorders Special
Interest Group newsletter.
Poster Presentations at Professional Meetings
Kreiser, N. L., Pugliese, C., & White, S. W. (2010, May). Using the Anxiety Disorders Interview
Schedule to assess social phobia in autistic adolescents. Poster presented at the 1st annual
Virginia Tech Clinical Psychology Research Fair, Blacksburg, VA.
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Pugliese, C., White, S. W., Ollendick, T., & White, B. (2010, March). Social anxiety and aggression
in autism spectrum disorders. Poster presented at the 26th Annual GSA Research
Symposium, Blacksburg, VA.
Schry, A. R., Pugliese, C., & White, S. W. (2010, November). Lack of assertiveness and
social anxiety as risk factors for sexual victimization in college women. Poster presented
at meeting of the Association for Behavioral and Cognitive Therapies, San Francisco, CA.
Kreiser, N., Pugliese, C., & White, S. W. (2009, November). Using the Anxiety Disorders Interview
Schedule to assess social phobia in ASD. Poster presented at the Annual Meeting
of the International Society for Autism Research. Philadelphia, PA.
Pugliese, C., White, S. W., Ollendick, T., & White, B. (2009, September). “I’m not worried –
I’m mad!”: Aggression and anxiety in children with autism spectrum disorders. Poster
session presented at the 43 rd Annual Convention for the Association for Behavioral and
Cognitive Therapies. New York City, New York.
Pugliese, C., Scott, M. (2009, August). The academic achievement paradox: A
proposed moderated mediation explanation. Poster presented at the Annual Meeting of
the American Psychological Association, Toronto, Canada.
Pugliese, C., White, S. W., & Neville, R. (2009, May). Acceptability of cognitive behavioral
therapy for teens with autism spectrum disorders. Poster presented at the Annual
Meeting of the International Society for Autism Research. Chicago, IL.
Pugliese, C. & White, S. W. (2009, February). Externalizing behavior and anxiety in
autism. Poster presented at the Annual Meeting of the Southeastern
Psychological Association, New Orleans, LA.
Oral Presentations & Symposia Presented at Professional Meetings
Pugliese, C. (2010, September). Fear of negative evaluation and aggression in adolescents with
autism spectrum disorders: The role of anger rumination. Oral presentation at the 2 nd
Annual Clinical Research Fair at Virginia Tech.
Jetten, K., Haslam, C., Pugliese, C. & Tonks, J. (2008, July). Impairment of autobiographical
memory and identity loss: Effects on wellbeing. Symposium presented at The
International Neuropsychological Society, Mid-­‐Year Meeting. Buenos Aires, Argentina.
Haslam, C., Jetten, J., Pugliese, C., Haslam, S. A. & Tonks, J. (2008, July). Personal facts or
knowledge of events: What aspects of autobiographical memory support the self?
Symposium presented at The International Neuropsychological Society, Mid-­‐Year
Meeting. Buenos Aires, Argentina.
Invited Presentations
Pugliese, C., & Galloway-­‐Williams, N. (2010, October). Addressing Autism Spectrum Disorders on
the Inpatient Unit. Presentation to Catawba Hospital. Catawba, VA.
Pugliese, C. & Ostmeyer, K. (2010, September). Autism Spectrum Disorders in the University
Setting. Presentation to Virginia Tech’s On-­‐Call Administrators Group. Blacksburg, VA.
Pugliese, C. (2010, September). Clinical Training for the ADOS, Modules 3/4. Presentation to the
Virginia Tech Autism Clinic. Blacksburg, VA.
Pugliese, C. (2009, October). Clinical Training for the ADOS. Presentation to the Virginia Tech
Autism Clinic. Blacksburg, VA.
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Pugliese, C. & Schry, A. (2009, May). Autism Spectrum Disorders: Coping with
Challenging Behaviors. Presentation to Easter Seals Disability Services. New Castle, VA.
Pugliese, C. Rezendes, D., White, S. (2009, March). Assessing Autism Spectrum
Disorders. Presentation to Augusta County Schools. Blacksburg, VA.
COURSES TAUGHT
Teaching Assistantships
Developmental Psychology: Undergraduate level, 2010-­‐2011
CLINICAL ACTIVITY
Group Therapist, September 2010 – present
Student Services for Disabilities & Virginia Tech Autism Clinic, Virginia Tech
Provide supportive group therapy for college students with high functioning autism spectrum
disorders.
Supervisor: Susan White, Ph.D., LCP
Graduate Clinician Therapist, August 2008 -­‐ present
Psychological Services Center & Virginia Tech Autism Clinic, Department of Psychology, Virginia
Tech
Treatment of adult and child patients, couples, and families. Clinic duties included conducting
intakes and psychological assessments, providing individual and family therapy, group
therapy, applied behavioral analysis, cognitive behavioral therapy, and parent training
education. Duties related to the Autism Clinic include providing comprehensive cognitive and
diagnostic assessment to children and adults suspected of having Autism Spectrum Disorders
and other developmental disabilities.
Supervisors: Angela Scarpa, Ph.D.; Susan White, Ph.D.; Lee Cooper, Ph.D., George Clum, Ph.D.
Psychology Extern, June -­‐ August 2010
Catawba Hospital, Catawba, Virginia
Conducted group therapy sessions and administered psychological assessments for adult
patients with severe psychiatric disorders.
Supervisor: Mark Witherspoon, PsyD
Clinic Coordinator for the Virginia Tech Autism Clinic, Aug. 2008 – May 2009
Virginia Tech
Duties included overseeing and managing daily operations of the clinic, performing intakes of
clients seeking assessments, scheduling assessments, providing resources for families, and
coordinating student volunteers in the community.
Supervisor: Angela Scarpa, Ph.D.
SPECIALIZED CLINICAL TRAINING
Autism Diagnostic Observation Schedule (ADOS) and Autism Diagnostic Interview – Revised (ADI-­‐
R) Administration and Reliability Training. Susan White, Ph.D., Virginia Tech, Blacksburg, VA,
December, 2008 – March, 2009.
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Administration and Use of the Leiter International Performance Scales-­‐Revised. Susan White,
Ph.D., Virginia Tech Autism Clinic, Blacksburg, VA, March 26, 2009.
Training for Clinical Students: Wechsler Adult Intelligence Scale-­‐4 th Edition (WAIS-­‐IV) & Wechsler
Memory Scale-­‐4 th Edition (WSM). Kristine King, Virginia Tech Psychological Services Center,
Blacksburg, VA. March 3 rd , 2009.
Applied Behavioral Analysis and Children with Autism Spectrum Disorders. Vanessa Petrillo,
M.Ed., BCBA. Virginia Tech Autism Clinic, Blacksburg, VA. September 15 th , 2008.
Administration and Use of the Autism Diagnostic Observation Schedule. Nuri Reyes, M.S.,
Virginia Tech Autism Clinic, Blacksburg, VA. September & October, 2008.
ASSESSMENT INSTRUMENT EXPERIENCE
Autism Diagnostic Observation
Autism Diagnostic Interview
Anxiety Disorders Interview Schedule
Wechsler Intelligence Scale for Children IV
Wechsler Preschool and Primary Scale of Intelligence
Wechsler Adult Intelligence Scale IV
Peabody Picture Vocabulary Test III
Wechsler Individual Achievement Test
Woodcock Johnson Tests of Achievement III
Vineland Scales of Adaptive Behavior II
Repeatable Battery for the Assessment of Neuropsychological Status
Wechsler Adult Intelligence Scale III
Wechsler Memory Scale III
Dementia Rating Scale
Anxiety Disorders Interview Schedule IV (Parent/Child Schedule)
OTHER EXPERIENCE
Special Education Teacher, Sept 2007 -­‐ June 2008
Fairfax County Public Schools
Duties included providing and educational and functional skills curriculum by developing and
adapting materials to match the learning styles and special needs of students with learning
disabilities, mental retardation, and autism spectrum disorders. Additional duties involved
teaching appropriate social skills, performing functional behavior assessments, developing
behavior intervention plans, and supporting children’s integration into general education
classes. Duties required collaboration with speech-­‐language pathologists, school
psychologists, and social workers to plan and implement best practice educational strategies
for each student.
Therapist, June 2005 – Aug 2006
Center for Autism and Related Disorders (CARD)
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Trained in applied behavioral analysis (ABA) techniques to implement one-­‐to-­‐one behavioral
intervention for children with autism spectrum disorders in their home and served as an
instructional shadow in school settings. Utilized discrete trial teaching techniques to develop
learning concepts and social skills as well as to manage maladaptive behaviors. Assisted in the
design and implementation of programs and trained junior therapists. Received on-­‐going
supervision from professional consultants at CARD for each client.
PROFESSIONAL AFFILIATIONS
Association for Behavioral and Cognitive Therapies, 2009-­‐present
International Society for Autism Research (INSAR), 2009-­‐present
Association for Psychological Science (APS), 2009-­‐present
Southeastern Psychological Association (SEPA), 2008-­‐2009
The National Honor Society in Psychology (Psi Chi) 2002-­‐Present
AWARDS & HONORS
Cartwright Prize for exceptional thesis research in culture management, 2007
University of Richmond Dean’s List: Spring 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007
Professional Development
Annual Convention for the Association for Behavioral and Cognitive Therapies
International Meeting for Autism Research, Chicago, IL, May 7 -­‐ 8, 2009.
Annual Meeting of the Southeastern Psychological Association, New Orleans, LA,
February 18 – 21 st .
Graduate Teaching Assistant Training Workshop, Virginia Tech Graduate School, Fall 2008
Computer hardware & software capability
Microsoft Word, Excel, PowerPoint
Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (PASW)
Statistical Analysis Software (SAS)
Adobe Photoshop
SERVICE
Ad Hoc Reviewer
Autism: The International Journal of Research and Practice
European Psychiatry
Virginia Tech Graduate Honor System
Graduate Student Panelist (2009-­‐2011)
Department of Clinical Psychology, Virginia Tech
Graduate Student Representative to the Faculty (2009-­‐2010)
Clinical Area Student Accomplishments Coordinator
Project Success, Fairfax, VA, Sept 2007-­‐ June 2008
Group leader for inclusive service learning program for adults with and without disabilities in
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community service. Duties including encouraging the development of social skills, effective
teamwork skills, and respect for diversity during the process of researching, planning, and
executing service projects.
Whitcombe Elementary, Richmond, VA, September – May, 2005
Tutored students academically in a high poverty, low performance school. Served as a
mentor by providing support and guidance to children with respect to both academic and
personal issues.
Safe Harbor, Richmond, VA, September – December, 2003
Educated on characteristics of domestic abuse and trained in crisis intervention skills to
utilize at a shelter for abused women and children. Provided childcare, offered guidance for
new clients, performed reception and organizational duties.
University of Richmond and the City of Richmond, October 2002
Worked with community organizations to implement a campus-­‐wide food drive for homeless
shelters in Richmond, VA
The Clothesline Project, October 2002
Worked closely with peers and professors to organize this nationwide event at the University
of Richmond to promote awareness of domestic violence by women affected by violence
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