RESEARCH:
My primary research interest involves identifying biomarkers
of recovery in the acutely neurologically injured patient. Currently,
I am attempting to identify predictors of neuronal viability
and long term recovery after severe traumatic brain injury. I
am also Co-Investigator on a grant exploring mitochondrial gene
variation and damage as a predictor of functional recovery after
severe traumatic brain injury. I am planning a study to explore
cerebrospinal fluid genetic/biological markers to identify patients
most likely to experience cerebral vasospasm following subarachnoid
hemorrhage.
TEACHING:
At the University of Pittsburgh , I teach the graduate Pathophysiology
course (NUR 2004). I mentor doctoral students with research interests in traumatic
brain injury, subarachnoid hemorrhage, cerebral hypoxia, oxidative stress and
other measures of neurologic injury and recovery. Current doctoral students are
testing interventions to improve outcomes in patients and ways to measure biomarkers
of oxidative stress in biological fluids after severe traumatic brain injury
and measure biomarkers of recovery after subarachnoid hemorrhage.
SERVICE:
I serve as a member MSN Council and Program and Steering committee.
I am a member of the American Association of Critical Care Nurses, American Association
of Neuroscience Nurses, Eastern Nursing research Society, International Society
for Nurses in Genetics, Sigma Theta Tau International, Society for Critical Care
Medicine and Association of Clinical Research Professionals. I serve on the Governance
committee of Sigma Theta Tau International Honor Society, Eta Chapter, Policy
and procedure and program planning committee for International Society of Nurses
in Genetics, as a grant reviewer for American Association of Critical Care Nurses
and as an abstract reviewer for Eastern Nursing Research Society. I also serve
as a manuscript reviewer for Nursing Research.
BACKGROUND:
| Education |
|
| BSN |
University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA
Nursing |
| PHD |
University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA
Nursing |
| Professional Experience |
|
| 1997 – 1999 |
Western Psychiatric Institute and Clinic ,
Pittsburgh PA
Psychogeriatric program |
| 1990 – 1997 |
University of Pittsburgh Medical Center, Presbyterian, Pittsburgh.
PA
Staff nurse/charge nurse Neurovascular
Intensive Care Unit |
| 1989 – 1990 |
Montefiore Hospital, Pittsburgh PA
Staff nurse Neurological/neurosurgical floor |
FUNDED GRANTS:
(2005-2007) CSF Ca ++ APOE protein and genotype and CV after TBI.
Central Research Development Fund. Principal Investigator.
(2005-2009)
Mitochondrial Genetics of Recovery After NR008424. Co-investigator.
(1994-2009). Role of 20-HETE on Vasospasm-Induced Ischemia after
SAH. R01 NR004339. Co-investigator.
SELECTED RECENT PUBLICATIONS:
Lorenzi, L, Kerr , ME , Alexander, S. ,
Crago, E, Yonas, H. (August, 2003) Influence of Delaying Treatment
After Symptoms Develop from Subarachnoid Hemorrhage (SAH) on Outcome.
Journal of Neuroscience Nursing, 35 (4), pp 210-214.
Alexander, S. Kerr , ME , Yonas, H, Marion,
DW (May, 2004) The Effects of Admission Alcohol Level on CBF and
Outcomes after Severe TBI. Journal of Neurotrauma, 21(5), pp 575-583
PUBLISHED ABSTRACTS:
Alexander, S ., Kerr , M.E. , Conley, Y., Yonas,
H. (2005) Cerebrospinal fluid Calcium levels and Cerebral Vasospasm
after Subarachnoid Hemorrhage. Biological Research for Nursing,
6 (4) p. 301
Alexander, S., Kerr, M., Conley, Y., Kong, Y.,
Yonas, H. (2004) Apolipoprotein E Genotype and Outcomes in the
Subarachnoid Hemorrhage Population. Nursing
and Health Sciences, 7 (2), pp 143-44
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