Amori Yee Mikami

Assistant Professor

Department of Psychology, University of Virginia

102 Gilmer Hall, P.O. Box 400400

Charlottesville, VA 29904-4400

434-243-2321 (office phone)

434-243-2327 (lab phone)

434-982-4766 (fax)

Mikami@virginia.edu

Licensed Clinical Psychologist - Virginia, PSY0810003681

My research investigates peer relationships in both typically-developing children and the clinical population of children with Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) who tend to have significant friendship problems. I study the factors within the child, family, peer group, and teacher/classroom environment that contribute to peer acceptance versus rejection. I am interested in the outcomes and implications of childhood social status, interacting with ADHD diagnosis, on adolescent development. Finally, I am committed to developing and evaluating interventions to help peer-rejected children, particularly those with ADHD.

Education

2005-present Assistant Professor, University of Virginia

2004-2005 Postdoctoral Fellowship, University of California, San Francisco

2003-2004 Clinical Internship, University of California, San Francisco

1998-2004 Ph.D., Clinical Psychology, University of California, Berkeley

Minor: Statistics and Research Methods

Concentration: Child Clinical and Community Psychology

1994-1998 M.A. and B.A., Psychology, Stanford University

Current Projects

FOR PROSPECTIVE APPLICANTS:

I will be considering applicants for graduate work in clinical psychology to begin in fall 2009. I keep this website very well updated, so I would like to assure prospective applicants that this information is indeed accurate. Below I describe my primary research projects in my lab. Unfortunately this is the only amount of detail about them that is available online at this time, but if you interview with our program you will have the opportunity to learn a lot more about these projects. Both of these projects are in their last year of data collection, but data will be entered and available for incoming graduate students.

My future work will be related to parent and teacher behaviors that influence children’s acceptance by their peers, friendship problems among youth with ADHD, and interventions for this population. I will be submitting grant applications this year to extend both the Friendship and Classroom studies.

The Friendship Study is an intervention for parents of elementary school-aged children with ADHD to help them facilitate their children's social skills and peer relationships.

The Classroom Study is a longitudinal, observational study in elementary school classrooms to determine teacher practices that foster positive academic and social adjustment for children, particularly those with ADHD symptoms and other disruptive behavior problems.

Families and teachers who potentially might like to participate in either of these two projects should contact me. I utilize a large team of undergraduate research assistants for both projects. RAs interview parents and children, and conduct behavior observations in classrooms, in addition to coding videotapes and entering data. I am full for RA positions for the Fall 2008 semester; it is possible (although not that likely) that I may have an opening in spring semester 2009, and interested students should email me in December 2008.

In addition to these two primary projects, I am also involved in several other investigations. In collaboration with Anne Gregory (Assistant Professor, Curry School of Education) and graduate student Shawn Gewirtz, we are evaluating a school-based preventative intervention in Albemarle County, Virginia. In collaboration with Daniel Cox (Professor, Department of Psychiatric Medicine), we are investigating factors that influence driving performance among adolescents with ADHD, as well as medication treatments that may improve safe driving in this population. In collaboration with Joseph Allen (Professor, Department of Psychology) and graduate student Dave Szwedo, we are examining on-line, internet social relationships in a young adult sample that has been followed since adolescence. Also in collaboration with Joseph Allen, Robert Pianta (Professor and Dean, Curry School of Education), and Anne Gregory, we are evaluating an intervention with secondary school teachers that aims to improve students’ social/emotional and academic outcomes.

Lab Members

I am fortunate to have the following dynamic students:

Allison Jack is a third year Developmental student who is studying parents’ directions to their children with ADHD during the children’s play with peers, and how these instructions might affect children’s friendship development with those peers. Allison also has research experience and interests in the social behaviors of children with Autism Spectrum Disorders. Allison has a friendly cat and purports to have a dance background that fails to translate to the Wii.

Matt Lerner is a second year Clinical student who is studying the alliance between parents and therapists, and how this alliance might predict treatment results for the children. Matt also has research interests and background in social skills interventions for adolescents with Autism Spectrum Disorders. In addition, Matt’s fame is growing for having his picture posted on the wall of a Charlottesville Thai restaurant after successfully consuming their spiciest curry dish.

Christina Emeh is a first year Clinical student from Brooklyn, New York. She comes to Charlottesville after working as a counselor at a community agency assisting adolescents who are not attending school in finding jobs and completing their GEDs.

Marissa Swaim is a first year Clinical student from Boone, North Carolina. Before coming to start the Virginia program, she completed her degree to practice as a North Carolina school psychologist.

In addition, I am blessed with a tireless team of undergraduate research assistants who collect the data and conduct the interviews and observations. They are led by Haley Stephens, my project coordinator. Haley is a recent graduate of University of Virginia as a psychology major. She is interested in parent-child interactions of children with ADHD, and planning to attend graduate school in clinical psychology. In her spare time, Haley accumulates extra money by getting injected with unknown substances in medical clinical trials.

Past Research

Click on the link to access article reprints, or email me for a copy. Publications are listed in chronological order beginning with the most recent.

Mikami, A. Y., Jack, A. & Lerner, M. D. (in press). Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder. In J. L. Maston (Ed.), Practitioners Guide to Social Behavior and Skills in Children. New York: Springer.

Cox, D. J., Mikami, A. Y., Cox, B. S., Coleman, M. T., Mahmood, A., Sood, A. et al. (2008). Impact of long-acting methylphenidate on routine driving of Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) drivers: Two case reports. Archives of Pediatrics & Adolescent Medicine, 162, 793-794.

Cox, D. J., Moore, M., Burket, R., Merkel, R. L., Mikami, A. Y., & Kovatchev, B. (2008). Rebound effects with long-acting amphetamine or methylphenidate stimulant medication preparations among adolescent male drivers with Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder. Journal of Child and Adolescent Psychopharmacology, 18, 1-10.

Mikami, A. Y., & Hinshaw, S. P. (2008). Attention-deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder in girls. In K. McBurnett & L. J. Pfiffner (Eds.), Attention Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder: Concepts, Controversies, New Directions. New York: Informa Healthcare, pp. 259-272.

Mikami, A. Y., Hinshaw, S. P., Patterson, K. A., & Lee, J. C. (2008). Eating pathology among adolescent girls with Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder. Journal of Abnormal Psychology, 117, 225-235.

Mikami, A. Y., Lee, S. S., Hinshaw, S. P. & Mullin, B. C. (2008). Social information processing biases and aggression among adolescent girls with Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder. Journal of Youth and Adolescence, 37, 761-771.

Mikami, A. Y., & Pfiffner, L. J. (2008). Sibling relationships among children with Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder. Journal of Attention Disorders, 11, 482-492.

Cox, D.J., Burket, R., Mikami, A.Y., Moore, M., & Merkel, R.L. (2007) ADHD and the adolescent driver. Consultation for Pediatricians.

Huang-Pollock, C. L., & Mikami, A. Y. (2007). The academic job search: timeline, tips, and tactics. The Behavior Therapist, 30, 104-108.

Huang-Pollock, C. L., Mikami, A. Y., Pfiffner, L. J., & McBurnett, K. (2007). ADHD subtype differences in motivational responsivity but not inhibitory control: Evidence from a reward-based variation of the stop signal paradigm. Journal of Clinical Child and Adolescent Psychology. 36, 127-136.

Mikami, A. Y., Huang-Pollock, C. L., Pfiffner, L. J., McBurnett, K., & Hangai, D. (2007). Social skills differences among Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder subtypes in a chat room assessment task. Journal of Abnormal Child Psychology, 35, 509-521.

Pfiffner, L.J., Mikami, A.Y., Huang-Pollock, C.L., Easterlin, B., Zalecki, C., & McBurnett, K. (2007). A randomized controlled trial of integrated home-school behavioral treatment for ADHD, Predominantly Inattentive Type. Journal of the American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, 46, 1041-1050.

Mikami, A. Y., & Hinshaw, S. P. (2006). Resilient adolescent adjustment among girls: Buffers of childhood peer rejection and Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder. Journal of Abnormal Child Psychology, 34, 823-837.

Mikami, A. Y., & Pfiffner, L. J. (2006). Social skills training for youth with disruptive behavior disorders: A review of best practices. Emotional and Behavioral Disorders in Youth, 6, 3-23.

Mikami, A. Y., Boucher, M. A., & Humphreys, K. (2005). Prevention of peer rejection through a classroom-level intervention in middle school. Journal of Primary Prevention, 26, 5-23.

Mikami, A. Y., Chi, T. C., & Hinshaw, S. P. (2004). Behavior ratings and observations of externalizing symptoms in girls: The role of child popularity with adults. Journal of Psychopathology and Behavioral Assessment, 26, 151-164.

Mikami, A. Y., & Hinshaw, S. P. (2003). Buffers of peer rejection among girls with and without ADHD: The role of popularity with adults and goal-directed solitary play. Journal of Abnormal Child Psychology, 31, 381-397.

Persons, J. B., & Mikami, A. Y. (2002). Strategies for handling treatment failure successfully. Psychotherapy, 39, 139-151.

Teaching

At University of Virginia, I alternate teaching a graduate and upper-level undergraduate Seminar in Child Psychopathology, the undergraduate Introduction to Psychology lecture course, the undergraduate Statistics and Research Methods course, and supervision of Ph.D. students in their clinical practicum. In addition to supervising second year graduate students seeing clients through the psychology department Ainsworth Clinic, I coordinate a school consultation practicum where graduate students assist elementary school teachers in developing behavior management strategies. Schools or teachers interested in participating may contact me.

Grants and Fellowships

2007-2009 National Institutes of Mental Health, 1R03MH079019

“Parental Influences on Peer Socialization of Children with ADHD”

Role: PI; ($151,500)

2007-2009 National Academy of Education/ Spencer Foundation Fellowship

“Teacher Practices that Promote Children’s Academic Success through Reducing Peer Rejection”

Role: PI; ($55,000)

2007-2008 University of Virginia Lilly Teaching Fellowship

Role: PI; ($7000)

2007-2008 Shire Pharmaceuticals

“Promoting Driving Safety among Adolescents with ADHD”

Role: Co-PI (PI: Daniel Cox, PhD); ($226,750)

2006-2010 William T. Grant Foundation

“Recasting the Secondary School Classroom as a Context for Positive Youth Development”

Role: Co-PI/Junior Faculty Collaborator (PI: Joe Allen, PhD); ($1,099,214)

2006-2008 Society for Study of School Psychology

“Building Teacher Capacity and Lowering Special Education Referrals”

Role: Consultant (PI: Anne Gregory, PhD); ($8000)

2005-2006 University of Virginia Excellence in Diversity Fellowship

Role: PI; ($1000)

2001-2004 National Institutes of Mental Health, Individual National Research Service Award, 1F31MH012838

“Predicting Positive Outcomes among Peer Rejected Girls with ADHD”

Role: PI ($68,376)

Honors and Awards

2006 CHADD (Children and Adults with ADD/ADHD) Young Scientist Research Award ($5000)

2005 Junior Faculty Mentoring Award, American Psychological Association Div 53 ($1000)

2005 Robert E. Harris Postdoctoral Research Award, University of California San Francisco ($250)

2003 Sheldon J. Korchin Dissertation Award, University of California Berkeley ($2500)

2003 Outstanding Graduate Student Instructor, University of California Berkeley

1998 Phi Beta Kappa, Stanford University

1998 Firestone Medal for Undergraduate Honors Thesis, Stanford University ($500)

1997 Harry S Truman Scholar ($30,000)

1994 President’s Scholar, Stanford University ($2500)

1994 National Merit Scholar ($1000)

Personal

I grew up in Los Angeles County, and then completed all my undergraduate, graduate, and postdoctoral training in the San Francisco Bay Area. However, I am enchanted by Charlottesville, and more so every year I stay. My favorite things in Charlottesville are barbeque on the back deck of the house, local apple orchards, the 60-some vineyards in the area, the cherry blossoms, and the free parking at the airport. I have a terrific husband, and a cat who thinks he is a dog. I am also very much into food so don’t ask me what a “good place to eat” is unless you have 45 minutes to spare. I do have two addictions, however, which are just not available in Charlottesville: boba and takoyaki. Let’s just put it this way, it would be worth a lot to me to procure some.