Neuropsychological Effects of Exercise for Aging Women: Role of Steroid Hormone Biomarkers - Sarah Westen
Hometown: Penfield, New York
Class Year: 2009
Major: Neuroscience
Research Advisor: Cay Anderson-Hanley, Psychology
Secondary Advisor: Brian Cohen, Biology
Project Description:
- Wrote grant proposal and received funding to implement a pilot study of the possible Neuropsychological effects of salivary estradiol and cortisol concentrations in elderly women and adult female caregivers newly enrolled in an osteoporosis exercise program: a preliminary correlational study
- Implemented study at Sunnyview Rehabilitation Hospital, Schaffer Heights Senior Living Community, and the Union College Neuropsychology Laboratories, Schenectady, NY
Responsibilities:
- Wrote, developed, and implemented study protocol and procedures
- Located and ordered study materials
- Located study participants through local advertising and study presentations
- Wrote and presented study and results in APA journal format (in progress)
- Assistant instructor for Tuft’s University’s RSVP’s (Retired Senior Volunteer Program) Strong Bones Plus exercise program for women (StrongWomen™)
- Conducted neuropsychological evaluations
- Collected saliva samples from participants
- Conducted and interpreted ELISA (Enzyme-Linked ImmunoSorbent Assay) analyses for hormones