Sevlever 1 Melina Sevlever Curriculum Vitae Education: 2010-current Doctor of Philosophy in Psychology (in progress) Auburn University, Auburn, AL Completion of Doctoral Qualifying Exam: April 2011 Advisor: Jennifer Gillis, PhD, BCBA-D 2008-2010 Masters of Science, Clinical Psychology Title: Imitation in children with autism spectrum disorders: An analysis of task type and common errors Auburn University, Auburn, AL Completed: July 2010 Advisor: Jennifer Gillis, PhD, BCBA-D 2004-2008 Bachelor of Science, Psychology, Summa Cum Laude University of Florida, Gainesville, FL Completed: May 2008 Honors thesis: Perfectionism, anxiety, and depression in premedical students Advisor: Kenneth G. Rice, PhD 2004-2008 Bachelor of Arts, Political Science, Cum Laude University of Florida, Gainesville, FL Completed: May 2008 2004-2008 Minor, History University of Florida, Gainesville, FL Completed: May 2008 Honors and Awards 2011 Best Poster in Tour at the PCIT International Convention 2011 Senior Graduate Student Research Productivity Award (Auburn Psychology Department) 2011 SEPA Graduate Student Research Award (Amount: $200) 2010 Clinical Research Enhancement Award (Amount: $750) 2010-2011 Psychology Department Travel Award (Amount: $500) 2009 Most Devoted Psychology Student Award (voted by peers) 2009 Poster Award, Teaching and Research Festival (Auburn Psychology Department) 2009 Department Research Award for Thesis (Amount: $200) 2008 Graduate Travel Award (Amount: $500) 2008 Psychology Department Travel Award (Amount: $500)
Sevlever 2 2004-2008 Dean s List, University of Florida 2007 Phi Beta Kappa Distinction 2007 Anderson Scholar with High Distinction 2006 President s Honor Roll, University of Florida 2005 Outstanding Female Leader, Women s History Month Committee 2004 Mayo Foundation Scholar 2004 Bright Futures Academic Scholar Publications: Sevlever, M., Gillis, J.M., Mattson, R.E., & Romanczyk, R.G. (In Progress). Imitation in children with autism spectrum disorders: An analysis of task type and common errors. Gillis, J. M., Sevlever, M., & Roth, M. (Under Review). Aspergers & nonverbal learning disorder. In Vilayanur S. Ramachandran (Ed.)., Encyclopedia of Human Behavior, 2nd Edition. Oxford: Elsevier. Sevlever, M., & Gillis, J.M. (2010). An examination of the state of imitation research in children with autism: issues of definition and methodology. Research in Developmental Disabilities, 31, 976-984. Sevlever, M., & Rice, K.G. (2010). Perfectionism, depression, anxiety, and academic performance in premedical students. Canadian Medical Education Journal, 1(2), 96-104. Oral Presentations: Sevlever, M., Gillis, J.M., & Ferguson, B.R. (2011). Improving sportsmanship skills in children with ASD using Wii sports. Oral presentation to be presented at the annual meeting of the Alabama Association for Behavior Analysis, Birmingham, AL. Sevlever, M., Gillis, J.M., Mattson, R.E., & Romanczyk, R.G. (2011). Imitation in autism spectrum disorders: An analysis of tasks and errors. Oral presentation presented at the annual meeting of the Southeastern Psychological Conference, Jacksonville, FL. Schleismann, K., Sevlever, M., & Gillis, J.M. (2010, November). Examining barriers to training and implementation of screening and diagnostic practices in different settings. Oral presentation at the annual meeting of the Association for Behavioral and Cognitive Therapies, San Francisco, CA. Sevlever, M., Beights, R., & Gillis, J.M. (2009, October). Assessment of factors influencing imitation in children with autism spectrum disorders. Oral presentation at the annual meeting of the Alabama Association for Behavior Analysis, Birmingham, AL.
Sevlever 3 Poster Presentations: Sevlever, M., Mooney, C.L., & Brestan, E.V. (2011, September). The use of PCIT in treating noncompliance and sensory issues in a child with Autism. Poster session presented at the Biennial PCIT International Convention, Gainesville, FL. Sevlever, M., Beights, R., Ferguson, B.R., & Gillis, J.M. (2011, May). The use of a teaching interaction procedure in improving conversational skills in children with autism spectrum disorders. Poster session presented at the annual meeting of the Association for Behavior Analysis International, Denver, CO. Beights, R., Sevlever, M., Waldrom, K., & Gillis, J.M. (2011, May). Functional analysis of circumscribed speech in children with an autism spectrum disorder. Poster session presented at the annual meeting of the Association for Behavior Analysis International, Denver, CO. Sevlever, M., & Gillis, J.M. (2010, November). An examination of the relationship of characteristics of autism spectrum disorder and levels of parenting stress. Poster session presented at the annual meeting of the Association for Behavioral and Cognitive Therapies, San Francisco, CA. Ferguson, B.R., Sevlever, M., Beights, R., & Gillis, J.M. (2010, November). Use of Wii sports games in improving sportsmanship skills in children with autism spectrum disorders. Poster session presented at the annual meeting of the Association for Behavioral and Cognitive Therapies, San Francisco, CA. Sevlever, M., & Gillis, J.M. (2009, November). Increasing variability in verbal responses to social questions in children with ASD. Poster session presented at the annual meeting of the Association for Behavioral and Cognitive Therapies, New York, NY. Sevlever, M., Beights, R., & Gillis, J.M. (2009, May). Effect of sensory input on imitation performance in children with autism. Poster session presented at the annual meeting of the Association for Behavior Analysis International, Phoenix, AZ. Rice, K.G., Knippel, D., Sevlever, M., & Watson, B. (2007, August). Differentiating adaptive from maladaptive perfectionism on the MMPI-2. Poster session presented at the annual meeting of the American Psychological Association, San Francisco, CA. Clinical Experience: 2011-2012 University of Alabama School of Medicine, Montgomery, AL Responsibilities: Provided individual and family psychotherapy to primary care patients presenting with a variety of medical and mental health needs; conducted brief evaluations with patients presenting with psychological needs. Supervisors: Karl Kirkland, PhD
Sevlever 4 2011 Auburn University Psychological Services Clinic, Auburn AL Responsibilities: Provided peer supervision for beginning therapists. Reviewed tapes and conducted weekly supervision meetings. Supervisors: Jennifer M. Gillis, Phd, BCBA-D 2010-2011 Head Start, Auburn, AL Responsibilities: Administered and supervised administration of developmental screeners (Speed Dial, speech screener), conducted and supervised classroom behavioral observations, and conducted social skills programming for children ages 2-5 years old (13 hours weekly). Supervisor: Steven Shapiro, PhD 2009-2010 Mt. Meigs, Montgomery, AL Responsibilities: Conducted comprehensive assessments for children referred to the Accountability Based Sexual Offender Program (15 hours weekly). Supervisor: Tess Scogan, PhD, Barry Burkhart, PhD 2009-2012 Auburn University Psychological Services Clinic, Auburn AL Responsibilities: Provided individual services and group services to children and families (3-4 hours of clinical work per week). Conducted comprehensive psychological assessments (1 per semester). Supervisors: Michael Steele, PhD, Steven Shapiro, PhD, Elizabeth Knight, PhD, Jennifer M. Gillis, PhD, BCBA-D, Richard Mattson, PhD 2008-2011 Developmental Disabilities Clinic, Auburn, AL Responsibilities: Assisted in implementation and data collection for social skills intervention programs for children with developmental disabilities ages 7-11 years old (3 hours weekly). Supervisor: Jennifer Gillis, PhD, BCBA-D 2006-2007 Behavior Technician, Association for Retarded Citizens, Gainesville, FL Responsibilities: Direct care provider for individuals suffering with severe mental disabilities and psychological disorders, implemented behavior analytic interventions to manage problem behavior and increase adaptive behavior (15 hours weekly). Supervisor: Janet Smith 2004-2005 Volunteer, Shand s Psychiatric Inpatient Unit, Gainesville, FL Responsibilities: Interacted with patients suffering from various psychological disorders and physical illnesses, facilitated social interaction between clients (3 hours weekly). Supervisor: Mia Holland
Sevlever 5 Research Experience: 2008-present Graduate Research Assistant, Auburn University Responsibilities: Participated in research projects, contributed to grant applications, managed undergraduate research assistants, conducted undergraduate laboratory meetings, and attended weekly laboratory meetings to discuss projects and relevant literature. Supervisor: Jennifer Gillis, PhD, BCBA-D 2006-2008 Research Assistant, University of Florida Responsibilities: Conducted social psychology experiments, inputted and assessed data, and attended weekly lab meetings to discuss results and relevant literature. Supervisor: John Chambers, PhD 2006-2008 Research Assistant, University of Florida Responsibilities: Administered MMPI, hand-scored MMPI, team created MMPI scoring computer program, managed and organized materials for major studies, contributed to a poster presentation for APA conference, 2007. Supervisor: Kenneth G. Rice, PhD 2004-2005 Research Assistant, University of Florida Responsibilities: Observed and analyzed data collected from basic research in behavior analysis. Supervisor: Erin McClure, Behavior Analysis PhD student Teaching Experience: 2011 Graduate Teaching Assistant, Auburn University Supervisor: Jennifer Gillis, PhD, BCBA-D Course: Assessment of Cognitive Abilities and Achievement Responsibilities: Taught lab sessions focusing on demonstration of IQ and Achievement measures, reviewed and provided feedback on taped administration by first year graduate students, met regularly with students to address questions and provide further demonstration of skills. 2008-2009 Graduate Teaching Assistant, Auburn University Supervisor: Amy Polick, MS, BCBA & Kristen Cullen, MS Course: General Psychology (Fall and Spring) Responsibilities: Attended lectures, led discussion groups, created and administered exams, managed grades, and coordinated study groups. 2008 Teaching Assistant, University Florida Supervisor: Jacqueline Ye, MS Course: Personality Psychology
Sevlever 6 Responsibilities: Attended lectures, managed grades, administered exams, and responded to student needs. Professional and Honor Societies: 2010-present Southeastern Psychological Association, student member 2009-present Association for Behavioral and Cognitive Therapies, student member 2008-present Association for Behavior Analysis International, student member 2008-present Alabama Association of Behavior Analysis, student member 2008-present Auburn Psychology Graduate Student Organization, member 2007 Phi Beta Kappa Society 2006 Psychology Club & Psi Chi 2004 Student Honors Organization 2004 Women s Leadership Council Outreach and Departmental Service 2011 Co-Reviewer 2011 Reviewer Behavior Analysis in Practice Canadian Journal of Behavioural Science 2011 Curriculum Committee Responsibilities: Participated as a student member on the Psychopathology Committee designed to develop recommendations with respect to the program s proposed curriculum changes. 2009-2012 ALABA Annual Convention Responsibilities: Volunteered to assist with planning and coordination of the annual convention of the Alabama Association of Behavior Analysis (ALABA). 2009, 2010 Autism Screening Day Supervisor: Jennifer M. Gillis, PhD, BCBA-D Setting: Little Tree Preschool Responsibilities: Administered autism screening assessments to children in order to determine the presence of an autism spectrum disorder and identify children in need of a full diagnostic evaluation. 2008, 2010 National Depression Screening Day Setting: Auburn University Responsibilities: Administered the HANDS Depression Screening Tool, Mood Disorders Questionnaire (MDQ), Carroll-Davidson Generalized Anxiety Disorder Screen, & Modified Sprint PTSD Screen to undergraduate students to screen for depressive disorders.
Sevlever 7 References: Jennifer Gillis, PhD, BCBA-D Assistant Professor, Department of Psychology Auburn University, Auburn, AL 36849 Phone: (334) 844-6477 E-mail: Jengillis@auburn.edu Steven Shapiro, PhD Associate Professor, Department of Psychology Auburn University, Auburn, AL 36849 Phone: (334) 844-6499 E-mail: Shapisk@auburn.edu