Summary
Overview
Work History
Education
Skills
Selected Publications
Timeline
Generic

Jennifer Zervakis

Durham

Summary


Experience in collaborative and research-intensive environment, focusing on health science research. Proficient in data collection and cleaning techniques, ensuring accurate and reliable results. Comfortable with synthesizing and summarizing large amounts of data to communicate with diverse groups. Looking to transition into new field, leveraging research, and writing abilities.

Overview

32
32
years of professional experience

Work History

Research health science specialist

HSR&D Durham VAMC
09.2003 - Current
  • Experience with all facets of project management with an emphasis on study recruitment and regulatory paperwork
  • Background in instrument selection, manuscript preparation, and coordination of team members to fulfill study objectives
  • Areas of research include mental health, sleep disorders, dietary/behavioral interventions for heart disease and diabetes, and palliative care
  • Volunteer activities: SCARA VA (research assistant) group, content researcher; Mental and Behavioral ADAPT group, member; Research Engagement Meeting co-host, various years; Tracking database (unification of terms and rules) committee; Illume, REDcap resource; Notary Public 2003-2014; CFC coordinator 2011-2013

Research Associate

Taste and Smell Lab, Dr. Schiffman
05.2001 - 06.2003
  • Effect of anticholinergic medications on the senses and cognition
  • Study coordinator Taste and smell enhancement in elderly cancer patients
  • Data analyst for in-house studies including sensory evaluation of hog fecal odor and hog farm emissions, effect of aromatherapy formulations on mood, consumer evaluation studies, and cognitive and sensory performance of individuals at risk for Alzheimer's disease

Post-doctoral Fellow

NSRC Post-doctoral Fellow, Center for the Study of Aging and Human Development
04.1998 - 04.2001
  • Effect of topical lingual application of medications on taste in humans

Research Associate

Taste and Smell Lab, Dr. Schiffman
06.1997 - 04.1998
  • Effect of anticholinergic medications on the senses and cognition
  • Study coordinator Taste and smell enhancement in elderly cancer patients
  • Data analyst for in-house studies including sensory evaluation of hog fecal odor and hog farm emissions, effect of aromatherapy formulations on mood, consumer evaluation studies, and cognitive and sensory performance of individuals at risk for Alzheimer's disease

Instructor

Duke University
01.1997 - 05.1997

Teaching assistant

Duke University
01.1993 - 12.1996

Education

B.A. - Psychology

Grinnell College
Grinnell, IA

Ph.D. - Experimental Psychology

Duke University
Durham, NC

Skills

  • Project coordination
  • Documentation management
  • Customer management
  • Clinical research expertise

Selected Publications

  • Ulmer C, Voils C, Jeffreys A, Olsen M, Zervakis J, Goodwin K, Gentry P, Rose C, Weidenbacher H, Beckham J, Bosworth H., Nurse-Supported Self-Directed Cognitive Behavioral Therapy for Insomnia: A Randomized Clinical Trial., JAMA Internal Medicine, 11/01/24, 184, 11, 1356-1364
  • Goldstein K, Voils C, Heisler M, Olsen M, Woolson S, White-Clark C, Zervakis J, Oddone E., An Innovation to Expand the Reach of Peer Support: A Feasibility and Acceptability Study., Military Medicine, 07/01/22, 188, 7-8, e1569-e1575
  • Crowley MJ, Edelman D, Voils C, Maciejewski M, Coffman C, Jeffreys A, Turner M, Galliard L, Hinton T, Strawbridge E, Zervakis J, Yancy WS., Jump starting shared medical appointments for diabetes with weight management: Rationale and design of a randomized controlled trial., Contemporary Clinical Trials, 01/01/17, 58, 1-12
  • Edinger JD, Grubber J, Ulmer C, Zervakis J, Olsen M., A collaborative paradigm for improving management of sleep disorders in primary care: a randomized clinical trial., SLEEP, 01/01/16, 39, 1, 237-247
  • Zervakis J, Mazuka R., Effect of repeated evaluation and repeated exposure on acceptability ratings of sentences., Journal of Psycholinguistic Research, 01/01/13, 42, 6, 505-525
  • Zervakis J, Stechuchak KM, Olsen MK, Swanson JW, Oddone EZ, Weinberger M, Bryce ER, Butterfield MI, Swartz MS, Strauss JL., Previous involuntary commitment is associated with current perceptions of coercion in voluntarily hospitalized patients., International Journal of Forensic Mental Health, 01/01/07, 6, 2, 105-112
  • Schiffman SS, Graham BG, Zervakis J, Sattely-Miller EA, Welsh-Bohmer K., Taste, smell and neuropsychological performance of individuals at familial risk for Alzheimer's disease., Neurobiology of Aging, 01/01/02, 23, 397-404
  • Schiffman SS, Zervakis J., Taste and smell perception in the elderly: effect of medications and disease., Advances in Food and Nutrition Research, 01/01/02, 44, 248-346
  • Zervakis J, Graham BG, Schiffman SS., Taste effects of lingual application of cardiovascular medications., Physiology and Behavior, 01/01/00, 68, 405-413
  • Zervakis J, Rubin DC., Memory and learning for a novel style., Memory & Cognition, 01/01/98, 26, 754-767

Timeline

Research health science specialist

HSR&D Durham VAMC
09.2003 - Current

Research Associate

Taste and Smell Lab, Dr. Schiffman
05.2001 - 06.2003

Post-doctoral Fellow

NSRC Post-doctoral Fellow, Center for the Study of Aging and Human Development
04.1998 - 04.2001

Research Associate

Taste and Smell Lab, Dr. Schiffman
06.1997 - 04.1998

Instructor

Duke University
01.1997 - 05.1997

Teaching assistant

Duke University
01.1993 - 12.1996

Ph.D. - Experimental Psychology

Duke University

B.A. - Psychology

Grinnell College
Jennifer Zervakis