Boston University Medical Campus
Evolutionary Neurobehavior Laboratory

Erica Harris’ CV

Erica Harris, MPH
Email: erhx8@bu.edu

Boston VA Healthcare System, Jamaica Plain Campus Department of Neurology (127) 150 South Huntington Avenue Boston, MA 02130 Telephone: 857.364.5007 Fax: 857.364.4454

Boston University School of Medicine Department of Neurology 72 East Concord St., Robinson Building, 5th Floor, B528 Boston, MA 02118 Telephone: 617.414.1006 Fax: 617.414.1008

GOAL

• To obtain a Ph.D. in Behavioral Neuroscience

EDUCATION

Ph.D. Candidate in Behavioral Neuroscience, Boston University, Boston, MA, January 2007 – expected date of graduation: TBD

Master of Public Health, Boston University, Boston, MA, January 2005 – dual concentration in Epidemiology and Social and Behavioral Sciences
Master’s Thesis: “Project Protect: A pilot peer-led intervention to reduce chlamydia among adolescents in Jamaica Plain”

Bachelor of Arts, University of Virginia, Charlottesville, VA, January 2001 – major in Psychology, concentration in neuroscience

EMPLOYMENT AND PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE

Center for the Study of Religion and Psychology, The Albert and Jessie Danielsen Institute at Boston University, Boston, MA
Research Associate (May 2008 – August 2008)

• Served as a research collaborator at the institute on various projects related to religion and psychology

Institute for the Biocultural Study of Religion, Boston, MA
Doctoral Research Fellow (September 2007 – Present)

• Specialized research in the neurology of religiousness

Boston University, School of Medicine, Department of Neurology, Boston, MA
Laboratory Supervisor (April 2007 – Present)
The primary purpose of this position is to coordinate: 1) an NIH/NIDCD funded research study involving language-related disorders of Parkinson’s Disease (PD) by examining “pragmatic” comprehension and production abilities of PD patients, as well as the relation of these abilities to progression of the disease, dopaminergic medication, and neuropsychologic function and 2) to coordinate an NIMH funded research study examining REM/NREM cognitive processing specializations.

• coordinates the activities of two NIH grants: Pragmatic Language Skills in Patients with Parkinson’s Disease and REM/NREM Processing Specializations
• prepares substantive aspects of research grant proposals, including project timelines, budgets, and subcontract agreements
• assists PI in developing study protocols and measures
• facilitates grant and IRB preparation (paper and electronic submissions) for both the VA and Boston University
• assists with completion of yearly progress reports for projects
• manages efforts of onsite investigator
• attends grant trainings for electronic submission of grants to stay up-to-date on procedures/requirements
• coordinates recruitment, obtains consent, eligibility status, and enrollment for participants in study
• schedules and assists in performing protocols (conducts interviews, performs neuropsychological testing)
• monitors and facilitate study progress, participant satisfaction
• assist PI with statistical analyses
• formats manuscripts and articles for scientific journals
• assists with completion of scientific posters and presentations
• assists the editors with formatting chapters, assembling table of contents, and indexing for various books
• manages petty cash, online requisitions, travel credit cards, and university purchasing card
• supervises and trains full-time research assistants, graduate research assistants, work study students, and statisticians (6 to 11 persons at any time)

Boston University, School of Medicine, Department of Neurology, Boston, MA
Research Coordinator (February 2005 – April 2007)
The primary purpose of this position was to coordinate: an NIMH grant on the Phylogeny of Sleep. This grant sought to utilize phylogenetic techniques to understand the evolution of sleep across various animal species. A large literature search was conducted to obtain papers that conducted EEG studies with animals. Sleep quotas and data quality scores were then extracted and calculated from the papers and a comparative mammalian website was developed to upload and share these sleep data (www.bu.edu/phylogeny).

• coordinated a variety of projects related to sleep, social cognition, emotions, dreams, and Parkinson’s disease
• facilitated grant and IRB preparation (paper and electronic submissions)
• prepared substantive aspects of research grant proposals, including project timelines, budgets, and subcontract agreements
• assisted with completion of yearly progress reports for projects
• assisted PI in developing study protocols and measures
• formatted manuscripts and articles for scientific journals
• web editor of a new website on evolutionary Neurobehavior
• assistant to the editor on a three-volume series related to religion and the brain and another on dreams
• administered neuropsychological assessments to Parkinson’s disease patients and healthy controls
• scored and entered data related to all neuropsychological testing
• supervised and trained graduate research assistants and work study students (4 to 6 students at any time)

Boston University, Boston, MA
Teaching Associate for PH510 – Introduction to Public Health (October 2005 – May 2006)

• assisted students in understanding course content and assigned exercises
• developed course content with professor
• worked with the professor to design exams and projects
• provided assessments of students’ performance in the course through oral and written feedback
• participated in ongoing performance improvement activities and meetings

Boston University, Boston, MA
Teaching Assistant for PH510 – Introduction to Public Health (October 2004 – October 2005)

• assisted in the development of new course activities
• developed questions for and monitored weekly on-line quizzes
• held office hours for students
• graded assignments and exams

Boston Medical Center, Center for Infectious Diseases, Boston, MA
Research Assistant/Health Educator Intern (May 2004 – August 2004)

• aided in developing a pilot project for pharmacies to dispense medication to index patients with chlamydia
• established protocols and procedures for pilot study
• detailed knowledge of chlamydia and partner notification strategies
• revised a social marketing survey
• formulated a plan for the administration of surveys to the public
• developed data collection instruments
• improved data collection, analysis, and presentation skills

Duke University Medical Center, Department of Psychiatry, Durham, NC
Data Technician II and Team Leader for the Duke Coping Power Program (February 2003 – August 2003)

• promoted to Data Technician II and Team Leader February 2003
• coordinated hiring, designation of tasks, and supervision of student research assistants
• observed and critiqued student research assistants administer standardized interviews
• problem-solved interview issues and concerns with student research assistants
• aided in gathering information for grant renewal applications
• managed and distributed petty cash

Duke University Medical Center, Department of Psychiatry, Durham, NC
Data Technician I for the Duke Coping Power Program (January 2001 – February 2003)

• assisted in gathering data for two longitudinal studies examining preventive intervention, aggression, substance abuse, and school transitions for adolescents
• gained practical experience administering behavioral quantitative assessments
• adhered strongly to IRB protocols
• documented and maintained accurate data to compile into a useable format for analysis
• provided extensive outreach efforts to maximize participation
• developed excellent interpersonal skills by maintaining regular contact with school personnel
• expanded leadership skills by designating tasks to student research assistants as a co-team leader
• arranged copying of yearly interviews
• implemented booster intervention component to assigned participants

University of Virginia Medical Center, Department of Neurology, Charlottesville, VA
Research Assistant (January 2000 – January 2001)

• led the undergraduate project examining spatial learning
• assisted in developing research protocols
• recruited participants for experiments
• administered a variety of neuropsychological assessments to Alzheimer’s disease patients
• identified, collected, and entered data into spreadsheets
• conducted literature searches

City of Charlottesville, Department of Social Services Community Attention Programs, Charlottesville, VA
Teens G.I.V.E. Intern (June 2000 – August 2000)

• offered informal counseling to children in need of supervision, criminal offenders, and status offenders, aged 9-18
• served as a mentor and worked as a relief worker
• coordinated community service and recreational activities for participants

INTRAMURAL TEACHING ACTIVITIES

• developed CME course related to ‘Alterations of the sense of self in Parkinson’s disease’ for Directions in Psychiatry

RELEVANT TRAINING
Sleep Fellowship Seminar (August 2008-December 2008)

• attends weekly sleep fellowship seminar on a variety of topics related to sleep including obstructive sleep apnea, insomnia, ambulatory monitoring, and circadian rhythms

VOLUNTEER SERVICES
Boston Cares, Boston, MA
Team Leader/Volunteer (June 2007 – present)

• participates in various volunteer activities to improve the city of Boston and Metro Boston
• team leader for various projects
• plays Scrabble with the elderly
• served as an usher at the Martin Luther King, Jr. Boston Children’s Chorus event at the New England Conservatory for Music
• served food at the Boston Living Center
• gave out candy at the Boston Medical Center Halloweentown event
• planted cattails in a riverbed at the Stone Zoo

Student Advisory Committee, Boston University, Boston, MA
Member (September 2004 – January 2005)

• attended meetings to be conscious of improvements being made for the School of Public Health
• voiced recommendations for changes that should be made

Peer Advisor Program, Boston University, Boston, MA
Peer Advisor (June 2004 – January 2005)

• served as a mentor to new Social and Behavioral Sciences concentrators
• assisted advisor with mentoring his current advisees
• participated in recruitment activities for the school

Fenway Community Health, Boston, MA
V.I.P. Crew (June 2004 – December 2004)

• distributed safe sex materials to patrons at a variety of night club venues
• provided patrons with information about sexually transmitted infections
• conducted basic risk assessments and offered supported referrals for patrons

Haven House ‘YES’ Program, Raleigh, NC
Mentor (May 2002 – June 2003)

• mentored a 15-year old girl diagnosed with oppositional defiant disorder
• taught positive social skills
• provided tutoring
• worked on employment skills

Interact Battered Women’s Shelter, Raleigh, NC
Crisis Counselor (August 2002 – August 2003)

• provided telephone and face-to-face counseling to survivors of domestic violence and sexual assault
• supplied callers with information about shelter, lawyer referrals, and on-site counseling
• discussed domestic violence protective orders and rape kits

SKILLS

• Microsoft Office products; Word Perfect 2000; Outlook; Endnote; Omnipage; Macromedia Contribute; SAS; Navicat/My SQL; Web Editor; HTML; APA Reference Style; C-DISC; HIPAA protocols; proficient at spreadsheet management, editing, proofing, and data verification; self-starter; team-player; strong attention to detail; strong organizational skills

HONORS

• Nomination to Who’s Who in America 2009?
• Nomination to Madison Who’s Who: Erica Harris, Honored Member, 2009 edition
• Nomination to Madison Who’s Who in the World: Erica Harris, 2009 edition
• Nomination to Cambridge Who’s Who Premier: Erica Harris, Honored Member, Premier International Who’s Who Registry of Outstanding Professionals, 2008/2009 edition
• Nomination to Cambridge Who’s Who Among Executive and Professional Women,“Honors Edition” section, 2008/2009 edition
• Nomination to Who’s Who in America 2008?
• Nomination to Cambridge Who’s Who Registry of Executives and Professionals, 2007-2008 edition

MEMBERSHIPS

• Lifetime membership to Cambridge Who’s Who Among Executive and Professional Women
• 2008, American Psychological Association, Division 36, Psychology of Religion
• 2008, American Psychological Association of Graduate Students
• 2008, American Psychological Association, Student Affiliate
• 2007-present, American Academy of Neurology
• 2007-2008, International Behavioral Neuroscience Society
• 2007-2008, Society for the Scientific Study of Religion
• 2007-2008, International Association for the Cognitive Science of Religion
• 2005-2006, International Neuropsychological Society
• 2005-2006, American Public Health Association, Student Member

COMMITTEES

• Norman A. Scotch Award for Excellence in Teaching, Boston University School of Public Health, April 2006

PUBLICATIONS

Submitted Articles

1. McNamara, P., Holtgraves, T., Durso, R., & Harris, E. (submitted). Evolutionary cognitive neuroscience of indirect speech: Evidence from Parkinson’s Disease. Evolution & Human Behavior.
2. McNamara, P., Stavitsky, K., Durso, R., & Harris, E. (submitted). The impact of clinical and cognitive variables on social functioning in Parkinson’s disease. Journal of Geriatric Psychiatry & Neurology.
3. McNamara, P., Stavitsky, K., Harris, E., Szent-Imrey, O., & Durso, R. (submitted). Side of motor symptom onset and pain complaints in Parkinson’s disease. Journal of Geriatric Psychiatry & Neurology.

In Press Articles

1. Harris, E., & McNamara, P. (in press). Neurologic constraints on evolutionary theories of religion. In E. Voland, W. Schiefenhovel, & R. Vaas (Series Eds.), The biological evolution of religious mind and behavior. Springer.

Original Articles

1. McNamara, P., Auerbach, S., Johnson, P., Harris, E., & Doros, G. (2009). Impact of REM sleep on distortions of slef concept, mood and memory in depressed/anxious participants. Journal of Affective Disorders.
2. Stavitsky, K., McNamara, P., Durso, R., Harris, E., Auerbach, S., & Cronin-Golomb, A. (in press). Hallucinations, dreaming and frequent dozing in Parkinson’s disease: Impact of right-hemisphere neural networks. Cognitive & Behavioral Neurology.
3. McNamara, P., Capellini, I., Harris, E., Nunn, C. L., Barton, R. A., & Preston, B. (2008). The phylogeny of sleep database: A new resource for sleep scientists. The Open Sleep Journal, 1, 11-14.
4. McNamara, P., Durso, R., & Harris, E. (2008). Alterations of the sense of self and personality in Parkinson’s disease. International Journal of Geriatric Psychiatry, 23(1), 79-84.
5. McNamara, P., Durso, R., & Harris, E. (2007). ‘Machiavellianism’ and frontal dysfunction: Evidence from Parkinson’s disease (PD). Cognitive Neuropsychiatry, 12(4), 285-300.
6. McNamara, P., Durso, R., & Harris, E. (2006). Life goals of patients with Parkinson’s disease: A pilot study on correlations with mood and cognitive functions. Clinical Rehabilitation, 20, 818-826.

Book Chapters

1. Harris, E., & McNamara, P. (2008). Is religiousness a biocultural adaptation? In J. Bulbulia, R. Sosis, R. Genet, E. Harris, K. Wyman, & C. Genet (Eds.), The evolution of religion: Studies, theories, and critiques (pp. 69-75). Santa Margarita, CA: Collins Family Foundation.
2. McNamara, P., Nunn, C., & Barton, R., Harris, E., & Capellini, I. (2007). Phylogeny of sleep and dreams. In D. Barrett & P. McNamara (Eds.), The new science of dreaming: Volume I: Biological aspects (pp. 53-70). Westport, CT and London: Praeger Perspectives.
3. McNamara, P., Harris, E., & Kookoolis, A. (2007). Costly signaling theory of dreams. In D. Barrett & P. McNamara (Eds.), The new science of dreaming: Volume III: Cultural and theoretical perspectives (pp. 117-132). Westport, CT and London: Praeger Perspectives.
4. McNamara, P., Durso, R., & Harris, E. (2006). The chemistry of religiosity: Evidence from patients with Parkinson’s disease. In P. McNamara (Ed.), Where God and science meet: How brain and evolutionary studies alter our understanding of religion: Volume II: The neurology of religious experience (pp. 1-14). Westport, CT and London: Praeger Perspectives.
5. McNamara, P., Durso, R., & Harris, E. (2006). Frontal lobe mediation of the sense of self: Evidence from studies of patients with Parkinson’s disease. In A. P. Prescott (Ed.), The concept of self in medicine and health care (pp. 143-161). Hauppauge, NY: Nova Science Publishers, Inc.

Invited Presentations

1. Harris, E., & McNamara, P. (2009). Emotional memory processing in REM and NREM sleep states. Presented January 27, 2009 at the Manchester Essex High School, Manchester, MA.
2. Harris, E., & McNamara, P. (2007). Neurologic constraints on evolutionary theories of religion. Paper presented September 29, 2007 at the ‘On the Biological Evolution of Religiosity’ Conference at the Hanse- Wissenshaftskolleg Institute for Advanced Studies in Delmenhorst, Germany.
3. Harris, E., & McNamara, P. (2007). Is religiousness a biocultural adaptation? Paper presented January 4, 2007 at the Evolution of Religion Conference, Oahu, Hawaii.
4. Harris, E. (October 2005). Why study public health in Boston? Presented at the Harvard University School of Public Health, Boston, MA.

Published Abstracts from Recent Conference Presentations

1. Harris, E., McNamara, P., & Durso, R. (2009). Self-complexity in Parkinson’s disease is predicted by depression. Poster presented at The Movement Disorders Society’s 13th International Congress of Parkinson’s Disease and Movement Disorders on June 9, 2009 in Paris, France.
2. McNamara, P., Auerbach, S., Johnson, P., Harris, E., & Doros, G. (2009). REM and NREM-related memory and mood regulation in healthy adults. Poster presented at the 2009 SLEEP Conference in Seattle, WA.
3. Auerbach, S., McNamara, P., Johnson, P., Harris, E., & Doros, G. (2009). Sex differences in sleep-related memory and mood regulation in healthy adults.Poster presented at the 2009 SLEEP Conference in Seattle, WA.
4. McNamara, P., Auerbach, S., Johnson, P., Harris, E., & Doros, G. (2009). REM and NREM-related mood regulation in unmedicated anxious depression.Poster presented at the 2009 SLEEP Conference in Seattle, WA.
5. McNamara, P., Stavitsky, K., Van Doren, V., Harris, E., & Durso, D. (2008). Theory of mind deficits predict anxiety and depression in patients with Parkinson’s disease. Poster presented June 19, 2008 at the 6th Annual Conference and Workshops of the American Academy of Clinical Neuropsychology, Boston, MA.
6. McNamara, P., Harris, E., & Durso, R. (2008). Attention, emotion and language in patients with right versus left-onset Parkinson’s disease. Poster presented June 19, 2008 at the 17th Annual Meeting of the International Behavioral Neuroscience Society, St. Thomas, Virgin Islands.
7. McNamara, P., Auerbach, S., Harris, E., & Durso, R. (2008). REM sleep-related mood regulation in patients with Parkinson’s disease. Poster presented June 19, 2008 at the 17th Annual Meeting of the International Behavioral Neuroscience Society, St. Thomas, Virgin Islands.
8. Stavitsky, K., McNamara, P., Durso, R., Harris, E., Auerbach, S., & Cronin-Golomb, A. (2007). Side of motor symptom onset and frequency of reported sleep disturbances in Parkinson’s disease. Poster presented November 5, 2007 at the 37th Annual Meeting of the Society for Neuroscience, San Diego, CA.
9. McNamara, P., Auerbach, S., Varghese, S., Harris, E., & Durso, R. (2007). Distressing dreams and nightmares in non-demented Parkinsonian patients is associated with reduced slow wave sleep and frontal dysfunction. Poster presented June 12, 2007 at the 21st Annual Meeting of the Associated Professional Sleep Societies, LLC, Minneapolis, MN.
10. McNamara, P., Ramani, M., Harris, E., & Durso, R. (2007). Emotion recognition and theory of mind abilities in patients with Parkinson’s disease. Poster presented March 2, 2007 at The New England Science Symposium, Boston, MA.
11. McNamara, P., Durso, R., Harris, E., Johnson, P., & Sarmiento, J. (2007). Procedural and conversational discourse skills in Parkinson’s disease: Relation to side of onset. Poster presented May 1, 2007 at the 59th Annual Meeting of the American Academy of Neurology, Boston, MA.
12. McNamara, P., Harris, E., Szent-Imrey, R., & Durso, R. (2007). Relation of mood and cognitive deficits to sleep disturbances in patients with Parkinson’s disease. Poster presented May 3, 2007 at the 59th Annual Meeting of the American Academy of Neurology, Boston, MA.
13. Harris, E., McNamara, P., Brown, A., & Durso, R. (February 2006). Elevated ‘Machiavellianism’ in patients with Parkinson’s disease. Poster presented at the 34th Annual Meeting of the International Neuropsychological Society, Boston, MA.
14. Nath, P., Harris, E., McNamara, P., & Durso, R. (February 2006). Neuropsychologic correlates of high harm avoidance in Parkinson’s disease. Poster presented at the 34th Annual Meeting of the International Neuropsychological Society, Boston, MA.

Television Appearance
2009, BBC (Horizon TV), ‘Why Do We Dream?’