Science Ambassador Lecturer Biography
|
Fetal alcohol syndrome (FAS) is one of the most preventable causes of birth defects. This presentation detailed characteristics of those with FAS, including central nervous system dysfunction and specific patterns of facial features, as well as described the effects of FAS on human development. In addition, the presentation explained how an intervention study called Project CHOICES (Changing High-Risk AlcOhol use and Increasing Contraception Effectiveness Study) seeks to understand those who might drink during pregnancy, design an intervention to change risk behaviors based on their understanding of this population, and then evaluate the impact of the intervention.
Dr. Jacquelyn Bertrand has worked for 15 years in the field of developmental disabilities. She received her research training at the University of Connecticut and her clinical training at Emory University in Atlanta, Georgia. She is a licensed psychologist in the state of Georgia. Dr. Bertrand has conducted federally funded research on the neurodevelopment of children, including children with prenatal exposure to alcohol. Since 1996, she has worked in the developmental disabilities and fetal alcohol syndrome prevention programs at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. In addition, she is a member of the fetal alcohol syndrome diagnostic team at the Marcus Institute and an affiliate of the Kennedy Krieger Institute at Emory University. Dr. Bertrand has published many scientific articles and presented nationally and internationally on fetal alcohol syndrome, focusing on developmental and family issues associated with the disorder. Currently, Dr. Bertrand oversees a multi-site project to develop and evaluate scientifically based interventions for children with disabilities resulting from prenatal exposure to alcohol and for their families. In addition, she conducts international research on the topic of neurodevelopment in children with low-to-moderate prenatal exposure to alcohol. Finally, Dr. Bertrand is a member of several local and national committees devoted to improving prevention of prenatal exposure to alcohol and improving the lives of affected children and their families.
|
Page Last Modified: January 25, 2006
SCIENCE AMBASSADOR
Contact Information
Azania Heyward-James, MEd
Program Manager, Career Paths to Public Health
Training Services Division
Office of Workforce and Career Development
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
E-mail: aheyward-james@cdc.gov
Phone: 404-498-6009
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 1600 Clifton Rd, Atlanta, GA 30333, U.S.A
Tel: (404) 639-3311 / Public Inquiries: (404) 639-3534 / (800) 311-3435