Amanda Watts

About Amanda Watts

I am interesting in learning and working in a position that seeks to promote human…

Experience

1. Clinical Research Specialist, Sr

   Duke-Unc Brain Imaging And Analysis Center

   May 2019 — Present · Durham, NC, US

   Lab Manager and Research Assistant in Dr. Rajendra Morey\'s PTSD and TBI Neuroimaging Lab investigating changes of the brain in posttraumatic stress disorder, and traumatic brain injury, and related conditionsCurrent & past projects:•NFL Concussion Study (in conjunction with George Washington University), Coordinator; Aim - to use a rate of exposure to the sport of football to assess 1) changes to the brain through diffusion tensor imaging, resting-state functional connectivity, and gray matter volume, 2) changes in cognitive functioning through a comprehensive neuropsychological battery, and 3) changes in blood biomarkers through elevations in proteins and metabolites; Responsibilities - 1) Schedule and conduct subject visits in which I obtain informed consent, blood (via venipuncture) and urine specimens, and data via MRI and neuropsychological and clinical measures, 2) process and prep specimens, and 3) handle regulatory affairs.•Brain Stimulation in Veterans with Mild Traumatic Brain Injury (in collaboration with Teledyne Scientific & Imaging, LLC), Coordinator; Aim - to investigate the capability of transcranial direct current stimulation, a non-invasive brain stimulation, in alleviating mild traumatic brain injury-related clinical symptoms in Veterans; Responsibilities - 1) compose IRB protocol and facilitate the project\'s progress towards approval, 2) collaborate with Teledyne to obtain FDA Investigational Device Exemption, and 3) contribute to study setup and design and study procedure implementation.•Fear Generalization and Threat Processing, Coordinator; Aim - gain insight into pathogenesis of the re-experiencing and hyperarousal symptoms of PTSD by introducing to Veterans interactive paradigms of fear learning and threat-based arousal for the fMRI setting that contain features of computer gaming and virtual reality to identify the relevant dysfunction in connectivity patterns within the proposed brain network.

Education

• Duke University

  Bachelor of Arts (B.A.)

  2014 — 2018