In the Department of Sociology of Case Western Reserve University, students are able to pursue graduate education in an environment in which both faculty and fellow students share interest in the sociology of aging and the life course, and in medical sociology. Our department provides unique opportunities for early professional socialization and meaningful hands-on involvement in research projects. Students are viewed as junior colleagues, collaborating with faculty members and conducting independent research. Please feel free to ask questions you may have about any of us, our research areas, our program, or CWRU.
Education
B.A., Sociology, Case Western Reserve University
B.A., Psychology, Case Western Reserve University
Research Interests
Medical sociology; social inequalities and intersectionalities; youth and adolescent development; health disparities
Employment
Research Assistantto Dr. Sue Hinze
Research Assistant to Dr. Gary Deimling
Teaching Assistant to Dr. Sue Hinze
Graduate Resident Mentor for Residence Life at Case Western Reserve University
Personal interests/achievements
Volleyball; Reading; Documentary Viewing; Volunteering and Community Service Work; Weekend Roadtrips; Arts and Crafts; Meeting New People
Education
A.A.B., Applied Business, Lakeland Community College
B.A and M.A., Sociology, Cleveland State University
Research Interests
Medical sociology (including sociology of disability); aging; sociology of the
family; human rights and criminology
Employment
I am currently enjoying being an adjunct faculty member at several local colleges
and universities.
Personal interests/achievements
Outstanding Adjunct Faculty Award, 2006 (Tri-C Eastern Campus)
Publications
Hinze, Susan W. and Aliberti, Dawn (2005) "The Feminization of Poverty: A Global
Perspective." Blackwell Encyclopedia of Sociology, edited by George
Ritzer.
Gran, Brian and Aliberti, Dawn (2003) "The office of the children's ombudsperson: children's rights and social-policy innovation" Volume 31, Issue 2, June 2003, Pages 89-106.
Education
B.A., Sociology, Premed Concentration, College of the Holy Cross
Research Interests
Medical sociology, aging and the life course, men and masculinities, diabetes
Employment
Research assistant for Professor Eva Kahana and Professor Jessica Kelley-Moore
Personal interests/achievements
I enjoy watching all types of sports, especially football (Go Giants!), running, field hockey, and volunteer work
Publications
Thompson Jr., Edward H. and Kaitlyn Barnes. (2012). "The Meaning of Sexual Performance among Men with and without Erectile Dysfunction." Psychology of Men and Masculinity. [Epubahead of print] doi: 10.1037/a0029104
Education
B.A., Health Communication and Political Science, Ohio University
Began studying for an M.A., Health Communication, Kent State University and transitioned to her current studies as a graduate student in sociology here at CWRU.
Research Interests
Medical sociology, health communication, the genderization of illness, sociology of mental health, familial interaction and eating disorder research, the social construction of disease (cancer & mental health focus)
Employment
I am currently enjoying a research assistantship with Dr. Dale Dannefer and Dr. Mary Erdmans for the 2012-2013 academic year. Previous to starting my Ph.D. program at Case Western I taught several communication courses at Kent State Univeristy
Personal interests/achievements
Golden Key International Honor Society Recipient, Social & Mentoring Chair for Communication Student Graduate Association, Member of the Pi Kappa Delta National Speech & Debate Fraternity, Ohio University Speech & Debate Team (Four Year Member, Coach, & Recruiter), National & Ohio Dean’s List Every Quarter of Enrollment at Ohio University, National & State Champion in Persuasive Speaking 2007 & 2009, and 2007 & 2009 National Interstate Persuasion Publications
As a previous member of the Ohio University speech and debate team I still enjoy coaching and remaining involved in the activity as much as I can still be. Personally I enjoy spending as much time as possible with my King Charles Cavalier Spaniel (Professor Moriarty) and writing short stories.
Publications
Bernat, D. N., Cline, R. W. J., Chung, J. E., Sabo, J. D. Hernandez, T., Berry-Bobovski, L., Schwartz, A. G. (2012, April) Applying the Extended Parallel Process Model to Health Screening Behavior in a Slow-Motion Technological Disaster. Accepted as an oral presentation for the semi-annual Kentucky Health Communication National Conference. Lexington, KY.
Bernat D. N. (2011, October). “You can’t handle the truth!”: A Burkean paradigm on the power motivation in persuasive campaigns. Presented on a panel titled: The Good Fight: Educating Students about Major Business Institutions, Corporate Social Responsibility, Persuasive Media Campaigns, and Global Activism, at the Ohio Communication Association annual conference. Findlay, OH.
Bernat, D. N. (2009, April). Silently Starving: A Call for Eating Disorder Insurance Coverage. Presented at the annual Interstate Oratorical Association. Oxford, MS.
Bernat, D. N. (2007, April). Beauty Looks Thin: The Media’s Role in Eating Disorder Onset. Presented at the annual Interstate Oratorical Association. Santa Fe, NM
Education
M.GS., Master of Gerontological Studies,
Miami University, 2010
M.Sc., Statistics, Tribhuvan University, Nepal, 2004
B.Sc., Statistics, Tribhuvan University, Nepal, 2002
Research Interests
Medical Sociology; Social Epidemiology; Research Methods; Demography; Aging
(Socio-economic determinants of health and its pathways, Life course perspective,
Longitudinal data analysis, Survival analysis/ hazard modeling, Life table
calculation, Missing Data Imputation, Interface of Frequentist and Bayesian
methods).
Employment
Research Assistant: Dr. Jessica
Kelly-Moore
Research Assistant: Dr. David Warner
Graduate Assistant: Dr. Suzanne Kunkel (2008-2010)
Graduate Assistant/ Managing Deputy Editor of Teaching Sociology: Dr. Glenn
Muschert (2008-2010)
Research Intern: The Oxford Institute of Ageing, University of Oxford, UK
(2009)
Bio-Statistician: Nepalgunj Medical College, Nepal (2007-2008)
Personal interests/achievements
I like to listen to soft music which I use as a tool to relieve my stress. I am
sports lover but am not familiar with American sports. Sometimes, I spend my
leisure time watching comedy movies. I also spend my leisure time browsing world
news. My main personal interest is on reading books and articles related to
spirituality and philosophy. I love contemplating on meaning of life, especially
the later life.
Education
M.S., Family and Consumer Sciences, Eastern Illinois University
B.S., Home Economics, Western Illinois University
Research Interests
My research interests are comprised of examining adulthood and aging among men,
elderly caregiving, and stress and coping using a sociocultural contextual
perspective.
Employment
I am currently working as research assistant for Department Chair, Dr. Dale
Dannefer, and Dr. Gary Deimling at the Cancer Survivors Research Project.
Personal interests/achievements
My personal interests include spending time with family and friends, movies,
reading books and watching documentaries on African American issues, music,
playing Scrabble, bead jewelry making (currently, at a basic level),
power walking, and traveling.
Education
B.S., Health Services Administration, Ohio University
Master of Health Administration, Xavier University
Research Interests
Medical Sociology; health care services and policy; disparities in access to care
Employment
Research Assistant to Dr. Eva Kahana, Dr. Gary Deimling, and Dr. Tim Black
Personal interests/achievements
The history of health and health care; technology
Education
B.A., Sociology, Cleveland State University
M.A., Sociology, Cleveland State University
Research Interests
Gender; sexuality; inequality in health care and education; issues of race and
social class
Employment
R.A. for Brian Gran, working on the Children's Right Index
R.A. for Sue Hinze, work includes a qualitative look at married physicians and
the gaming phenomena among college students.
Also recently employed by:
Cuyahoga Community College: Adjunct Sociology Faculty Case Western Bioethics
Dept: R.A. under P.I., Laura Siminoff, on a study on tissue donation.
Personal interests/achievements
Personal interests include working with the NE Ohio chapter of GLSEN-- Gay,
Lesbian and Straight Education Network, which works to ensure safe schools for
everyone by promoting awareness and offering training on dealing with
discrimination relating to sexuality and gender identity issues in Ohio
schools.
Crowning achievement would be the fact that I have seen Madonna live in
concert over 30 times in 3 countries and 2 continents. Avid Madonna fan (some say
fanatic) for over 20 years.
Publications
In progress
Education
Masters of Urban Planning, Design and Development
Concentration: Housing and Neighborhood Development
Cleveland State University
Maxine Goodman Levin College of Urban Affairs
Bachelor of Arts, Interdisciplinary Studies
Concentration: Early Childhood Education, Minor: History
Norfolk State University
Research Interests
Public Policy, Education, Children, African American Culture & Mental Health
Employment
R.A. for Dr. Jessica Kelley-Moore and Dr. Susan Hinze
Personal interests/achievements
Chess, traveling, family and community
Men with a Mission Club, PHARAOH News Magazine, Health Issue, 2003
Unsung Community Hero, Cleveland Life Magazine, 1999
40/40 Club Kaleidoscope Magazine, 1999
Cleveland State University, the Levin College of Urban Affairs, Wallace G. Teare Prize, 1998
Publications
Goler, Timothy, McShepard and Batson (2008) How Anti-Educational Messages in the Media, at Home, & on the Street Hold Back African-American Youth, PolicyBridge Report
Goler, Timothy, McShepard and Batson (2008) Untapped Potential: African-American Males in Northeast Ohio, PolicyBridge Report
Education
B.A., Communication, Cleveland State University
M.A, Sociology, Case Western Reserve University
Research Interests
Research methodology as applied to nursing research and the social sciences;
Gerontology; healthcare disparities; developing a scale of quality of care in a
long-term care setting; quality of fit between a resident and the constellation
of long-term care options; public policy and the aged
Employment
Currently a Lecturer in Research Methodologies in the School of Nursing at Case
Western Reserve University
Personal interests/achievements
Travel & cooking
Publications
Siminoff, L., Graham, G., Gordon, N. (January 2005) Breast Cancer and Patient Care: Demographic Differences. Oral presentation at American PsychoOncology Society annual meeting.
Siminoff, L., Graham, G., Gordon, N. (2006) Cancer Communication Patterns and the Influence of Patient Characteristics: Disparities in Information-giving and Affective Behaviors. Patient Education and Counseling. Patient Educ Couns, 62(3):355-60.
Zhang, X., Hans, M., Graham, G., Kircher, H.L., and Redline, S. (2007) Correlations Between Cephalometric and Facial Photographic Measurements of Craniofacial Form. American Journal of Orthodontics and Dentofacial Orthopedics, Vol. 131, No.1:67-71.
Siminoff, L., Mercer M.B., Graham G., Burant, C. (2007) The Reasons Families Donate Organs for Transplantation: Implications for Policy and Practice; The Journal of Trauma, Injury, Infection and Critical Care , 62:4.
Faculty Webpage
http://fpb.case.edu/Faculty/Graham.shtm
Education
M.P.A., University of Akron, 2005
B.A., Sociology, University of Akron, 1998
Research Interests
Medical sociology; life course
Employment
Research assistant to Eva Kahana at the Elderly Care Research
Center
Education
B.A. Psychology, Indiana University, 2005
M.A. Sociological Practice, Indiana University Purdue University Fort Wayne,
2009
Research Interest
Mental Health; Criminology; Family and Gender
Employment
Research and Teaching Assistant for Dr. David Warner and Dr. Susan Hinze
Personal interests/achievements
Reading, music, movies, spending time with friends and
family
Education
M.A. Sociology, Cleveland
State University, 2002
B.A. Sociology, Cleveland State University, 2000
Research Interest
Medical Sociology; anti-aging
therapies; medicine and consumerism; end of life decision making; research
methods
Employment
2010-Present
Project Manager, Personalized Genomic Medicine Project
Department of Bioethics, Case Western Reserve University
2006-2010
Anti-Aging Project Coordinator,
Department of Bioethics, Case Western Reserve University
2002-2006
University Memory and Aging Center, Caregiving Research Program Manager, Case
Western Reserve University/University Hospitals
Recent Publications
McGowan, M., Fishman, J. and
Lambrix, M. (2010). Personal genomics and individual identities: motivations and
moral imperatives of early users. New Genetics and Society, 29 (3) 261 - 290.
Settersten, R. A., Jr., Fishman, J. R., Lambrix, M. A., Flatt, M. A., &
Binstock, R. H. (2009). “The salience of language in probing public
attitudes about life extension”. The American Journal of
Bioethics, 9 (12), 81–82.
McGowan, Michelle L. and Marcie A. Lambrix. (2009). “Are Social Networkers
and Genome Testers One in the Same?: The Limitations of Public Opinion Research
for Guiding Clinical Practice”.The American Journal of
Bioethics,9 (6-7), 21-23.
Fishman, Jennifer R., Robert H. Binstock and Marcie A. Lambrix. (2008)
“Anti-Aging Science: The Emergence, Maintenance, and Enhancement of a
Discipline”Journal of Aging Studies22:
295-303.abstract
Kathleen A. Smyth, Julia H. Rose, McKee J. McClendon, and Marcie A. Lambrix (2007). “Relationships Among Caregivers' Demographic Characteristics, Social Support Ratings, and Expectations of Computer-Mediated Support Groups.”Journal of Applied Gerontology,26: 58 - 77.
Awards
Recipient of 2011 Brocher Foundation Visiting Researchers Scholarship
Education
B.A., Sociology, The University of Memphis, 2005
M.A., Applied Sociology, Old Dominion University, 2007
Research Interests
Medical Sociology; environmental factors and health disparities; life course;
race/class/gender issues for poor and working class families
Employment
I am currently working as a Research Assistant for Dr. Jessica
Kelley-Moore. The project I am helping with is
entitled,Healthy Aging in Neighborhoods of Diversity across the
Life Span (HANDLS).The study focuses on the need to understand
health disparities in one’s overall longevity by looking at differences in
rates and risks for pathological conditions associated with aging.
The study hopes to decipher the relationship between race,
socioeconomic status, and health outcomes, and it has definitely led me into
research that I want to pursue. I also enjoy studying certain areas of
Gerontology (i.e. Caregiving for Alzheimer’s patients).
Personal interests/achievements
I love to travel, spend time with family and friends, read great books,
experience new things, and most importantly, spend significant amounts of time
laughing.
The greatest achievements I can think of thus far: being accepted into Case, earning a Masters Degree from ODU, being awarded Ms. University of Memphis in college, watching The Sound of Music thousands of times, and most importantly, maintaining pleasant relationships with God, family, and friends.
Education
M.S., Applied Sociology, Clemson University, 2008
B.A., Advertising, Fudan University, China, 2006
Research Interests
Physical and Mental Health, Aging and the Life Course, Research Methods
Employment
Research Assistant for Professors Jessica Kelly-Moore and Eva Kahana
Publications
Kelley-Moore, Jessica A. and Jielu Lin. 2011. "Widening the View:
Capturing 'Unobserved' Heterogeneity in Studies of Age and the Life Course."
Forthcoming in Handbook of Sociology of Aging, edited by Richard G. Settersten,
Jr. and Jacqueline L. Angel. Springer.
Lin, Jielu, Martie P. Thompson and Nadine J. Kaslow. 2009." The Mediating Role of Social Support in the Community Environment--Psychological Distress Link Among Low-Income African American Women." Journal of Community Psychology 37(4):459-470.
Personal Webpage: http://filer.case.edu/jxl510/index.html
Education
B.A., Sociology, Columbia University
Research Interests
Life course; Marxist sociology; race/class/gender; criminology
Employment
Research Assistant to Dr. Brian Gran and Dr. Mary Erdmans
C0-Instructor SOCI 204 - Criminology, Fall 2012
Publications/Presentations
Powell, B. "The Risk of Inaction: correlating bullying with youth suicide across nations."
International Sociological Association’s World Forum in Buenos Aires, Argentina, August 2012.
Powell, B. “Understanding the Stress Experience of LGBT Bullying.”
American Sociological Association Annual Meeting in Denver, CO, August 2012.
Powell, B. “The “coming out” process: an essential component of the LGBT life course.”
American Sociological Association Annual Meeting in Denver, CO, August 2012.
Powell, B. "Seeking the Same: Examining Homophily Patterns in Online Mating.”
Eastern Sociological Society Annual Conference, March 2011.
Education
M.A., Sociology, University of Toledo
B.S.W., Social Work, University of Toledo
Research Interests
Medical Sociology. I am particularly interested in medicalization, chronic
issues, disabilities, and mental health.
Employment
I am currently a research assistant working under Professors Gary Deimling and
Brian Gran. I was previously employed by Owens Community College as
an adjunct faculty member.
Personal interests/achievements
I enjoy spending time with my family,
friends, horses and dog. I also like to spend time outside and
traveling.
Publications
Review of Mintz, Susannah B. (2007) Unruly Bodies: Life Writing by Women with
Disabilities, The University of North Carolina Press,Disability
and Society,Vol. 24. No. 4, p. 534-535.
Education
M.A. Sociology, Cleveland State University
B.S. Education, University of Akron
Certificate in Paralegal Studies, Lakeland Community College
Research Interests
Medical sociology; aging and the life course
Research Experience
Paulette is a Senior Research Assistant and field interviewer for the Cancer
Survivors Research Project. Prior to starting graduate work, Paulette worked in
market research for over 20 years, including some time as a private contractor in
marketing research with several health care providers, such as the Cleveland
Clinic, Humility of Mary, and Sisters of St. Francis Health System.
Personal interests/achievements
Golfing, canoeing, cross country and downhill skiing, and spending time with
family and friends.
Education
B.A., Sociology, Baldwin-Wallace College
Research Interests
The commodification/medicalization of the male body; gender differences in mental
health; social inequalities within the medical profession
Employment
Research Assistant for various faculty members at Case Western
Research Assistant for the VA Medical Center in Wade Park on the “Joint
Replacement Utilization Disparity: The Role Of Communication” study
Personal interests/achievements
I would like to study the Hispanic, in conjunction with African American and
white populations to study factors regarding patient-physician relationships that
perpetuate social inequalities. In my free time I like to golf and
fish the nearby rivers
Recent Publications
The NSA and privacy, in addition to the USPS and privacy encyclopedia entries
Education
B.A. in Sociology, Maryville University-St. Louis, 2002
M.A. in Sociology, Case Western Reserve University, 2005
Research Interests
Doctor-patient communication about STI prevention
Employment
Standardized Patient Trainer/Coordinator at the Mt. Sinai Skills and Simulation Center (MSSSC), which is part of CWRU School of Medicine
Personal interests/achievements
Women's rights, volunteer work at women's clinics, reading, and walking my
dogs
Recent Publications
Dannefer, D., and Miklowski, C. (2006). Developments in the life course. In (J.A.
Vincent, C. Phillipson, and M. Downs, Eds.).The Futures of Old Age, pp. 32-42.
Sage Publications: Thousand Oaks, CA.
Schroeder, C., & Gran, B. (Feb 2005).Abortion, motherhood, and mental health:
Medicalizing reproduction in the United States and Britain. (Book Review).
Journal of Marriage and Family 67 (1): 263-265.
Education
M.A., Sociology, Case Western Reserve
University, 2008
B.S., Human Development and Family
Studies, Minor in Gerontology, Pennsylvania State University, 2005
Research Interest
I'm interested in aging and the life
course; institutional care, specifically, long-term care retirement communities
(including Nursing Homes, Assisted Living, and Alzheimer's Special Care Units);
globalization, particularly how its processes affect global health (e.g.
transnational migration of global care workers) and its role in redefining
what care is and how it is delivered among
vulnerable populations; I'm also interested in medical sociology, especially
health inequality and the social institutions and social policies that create and
sustain inequalities over the life course.
Employment
Research Assistant/Assistant Project
Coordinator
"Learning from Those Who Know," Nursing Home Project (Mentor: Dale Dannefer)
Personal Trainer/Senior Fitness Trainer
Alliance Rehab, Erie, PA
Personal interests/achievements
I enjoy traveling to visit family and friends, camping, hiking, and cycling. I
have a goal to try and learn a new sport and/or sport activity every year. This
past year I began cycling, yoga, and cardio kick boxing. My new goal for this
upcoming year is rock climbing and to do at least ONE cycling charity race. I am
a Pittsburgh Steelers fan and an annual subscriber/supporter of the Pittsburgh
Ballet. Music, sports/exercise, dance, and art are all ways that I enjoy my
"free" time and forms of relaxation.
Education
B.A. Sociology, minor in African-American Studies, Oberlin College, 2010
M.A. Journalism, Syracuse University, 2011
Research Interest
Medical sociology; inequities in health education, food access; health communication.
Employment
R.A. for Professors Tim Black and Mary Erdmans
Personal interests/achievements
Exercise, writing, cooking, baking, travel
Education
B.A., Gerontology, Miami University,
2006
M.GS., Masters of Gerontological Studies, Miami University,
2008
Research Interest
life course perspective, health
disparities, mental health, intergenerational programs/relationships, stigma
related to physical disabilities, and public policy (specifically involving the
older populations and welfare).
Employment
Research Assistant: Dr. Eva Kahana
(2008)
Research Assistant: Dr. Dale Dannefer (2008)
Graduate Assistant: Bill Cifferi and Matt Nelson (2007-2008)
Graduate Assistant: Dr. Jean Lynch (2007-2008)
Graduate Assistant: Dr. Bob Applebaum (2006-2007)
Graduate Assistant: Dr. Christopher Wellin (2006-2007)
Personal interests/achievements
Past President of Sigma Phi Omega. I am interested in animal
socialization, primarily in canines. I am also interested in
learning more about biology and psychology.
Education
B.A., English, University of Dayton
Research Interests
Inequality in gender and education;
impact of mass media on medical field
Employment
Research Assistant for Professors Brian Gran
and Susan Hinze
Personal interests/achievements
Pop culture enthusiast, specifically
primetime television