Brent J. Small, Ph.D.

Brent J. Small, Ph.D.

Google Scholar Page
Description of Research Interests

Broadly, my research has examined longitudinal changes, and individual difference predictors of change, in the cognitive functioning of healthy older adults. More recently, my work has focused on cognitive changes associated with treatment for cancer, as well as the genetic correlates of this change. Finally, I have been involved on several projects that have applied advanced longitudinal statistical analysis to better understand developmental processes. This includes the use of structural equation modeling, latent change analysis, growth mixture modeling, and random effects models.

Professional Service

Ongoing Research Support (Alphabetical by PI)

R01 AG008235 (Dixon)                                09/01/13-08/31/1921
NIH/NIA                                                        $373,827 (annual total costs)
Longitudinal Study of Cognitive Aging
In the Victoria Longitudinal Study (VLS), a series of cross-sectional and longitudinal studies pertaining to the description and explanation of changes in cognitive performance in late adulthood are conducted.  The research is designed to examine the extent and trajectories of aging-related cognitive and memory changes, as influenced by (a) patterns of differential decline in theoretically derived classes of influencing/cognitive components, and (b) conditions representing selected physiological, health, and lifestyle characteristics.
Role:  Consultant

P01 AG009524 (Frisina)                                03/01/2016 – 02/28/2021
NIH/NIA                                                         $609,512 (annual direct costs)
Aging Auditory System:  Presbycusis and Its Neural Basis
This program project consists of a set of discrete but connected disciplines organized to (1) investigate fundamental perceptual declines in presbycusis, and (2) to determine its neural and molecular bases.  I serve as data analyst for the project.
Role:  Co-I

(Jim, PI)                                                                               12/01/17-11/30/20
Abbvie Foundation
Measurement of patient-reported outcomes and remote activity monitoring for patients receiving Venetoclax for chronic lymphocytic leukemia
The current project will examine patient reported outcomes and activity among patients receiving treatment for CLL.
Role: Co-I

R01 CA129769 (Mandelblatt)                       03/31/2016-02/28/2021
NIH/NCI
Older Breast Cancer Patients:  Risk for Cognitive Decline.
This project is a competitive renewal of an ongoing study of older breast cancer patients and healthy controls.  I am PI on the subcontract from Georgetown University and will be involved in the analysis of the longitudinal data from the project.
Role:  Co-I (PI of subcontract)

Selected Peer-Reviewed Journal Publications:  Published and in press  (* indicates student first author)

  1. La Buissoniere-Ariza, V., Wood, J.J., Kendall, P.C., McBride, N.M., Cepeda, S.L., Small, B.J., Lewin, A.B., Kerns, C., & Storch, E.A. (in press). Presentation and correlates of hoarding behaviors in children with autism spectrum disorders and comorbid anxiety or obsessive-compulsive symptoms. Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders.
  2. McGuire JF, Geller DA, Murphy TK, Small BJ, Unger A, Wilhelm S, & Storch EA. (In press). Defining Treatment Outcomes in Pediatric Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder Using a Self-report Scale. Behavior Therapy.
  3. Wilhelm S, Berman N, Small BJ, Porth R, Storch EA, Geller DA. D-Cycloserine augmentation of cognitive behavior therapy for pediatric OCD:  Predictors and moderators of outcome. Journal of Affective Disorders. In press. 2018.
  4. *Clapp JD, Luta G, Small BJ, Ahles TA, Root JC, Graham D, Hurria A, Jacobsen PB, Jim H, McDonald BC, Stern RA, Saykin AJ, Mandelblatt JS, Thinking, Living with Cancer S. The Impact of Using Different Reference Populations on Measurement of Breast Cancer-Related Cognitive Impairment Rates. Arch Clin Neuropsychol. 2018. Epub 2018/02/23. doi: 10.1093/arclin/acx142. PubMed PMID: 29471454.
  5. *Hansen KE, Hyer K, Holup AA, Smith KM, Small BJ. Analyses of Complaints, Investigations of Allegations, and Deficiency Citations in United States Nursing Homes. Medical care research and review : MCRR. 2017:1077558717744863. Epub 2017/12/14. doi: 10.1177/1077558717744863. PubMed PMID: 29233051.
  6. Hoogland AI, Lechner SC, Gonzalez BD, Small BJ, Tyson DM, Asvat Y, Barata A, Gomez MF, Rodriguez Y, Jim HSL, Antoni MH, Jacobsen PB, Meade CD. Efficacy of a Spanish-Language Self-Administered Stress Management Training intervention for Latinas undergoing chemotherapy. Psychooncology. 2018;27(4):1305-11. Epub 2018/02/21. doi: 10.1002/pon.4673. PubMed PMID: 29462503; PMCID: PMC5895519.
  7. Jim HSL, Jennewein SL, Quinn GP, Reed DR, Small BJ. Cognition in Adolescent and Young Adults Diagnosed With Cancer: An Understudied Problem. J Clin Oncol. 2018;0(0):JCO2018780627. Epub 2018/07/25. doi: 10.1200/JCO.2018.78.0627. PubMed PMID: 30040524.
  8. *Alwerdt J, Small BJ. Fecal incontinence as a moderator between dietary intake and depressive symptoms among a sample of older adults obtained from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES). Aging Ment Health. 2017:1-11. Epub 2017/11/25. doi: 10.1080/13607863.2017.1399348. PubMed PMID: 29171958.
  9. Andel, R., Davila-Roman, A. L., Grotz, C., Small, B. J., Markides, K. S., Crowe, M., & Neupert, S. (2017). Complexity of Work and Incident Cognitive Impairment in Puerto Rican Older Adults. J Gerontol B Psychol Sci Soc Sci. doi:10.1093/geronb/gbx127
  10. Bluethmann SM, Alfano CM, Clapp JD, Luta G, Small BJ, Hurria A, Cohen HJ, Sugarman S, H BM, Isaacs C, Mandelblatt JS. Cognitive function and discontinuation of adjuvant hormonal therapy in older breast cancer survivors: CALGB 369901 (Alliance). Breast Cancer Res Treat. 2017. Epub 2017/06/28. doi: 10.1007/s10549-017-4353-y. PubMed PMID: 28653250.

Honors and Awards

2012

Outstanding Faculty Research Award, University of South Florida

2011

Fellow, Association for Psychological Science

2007

Sue V. Saxon Outstanding Teaching Award, School of Aging Studies, University of South Florida, Tampa, Florida.

2005

Outstanding Faculty Research Achievement Award, University of South Florida, Tampa, Florida.

2004

The Margret M. Baltes Early Investigator Award in Behavioral and Social Gerontology, Gerontological Society of America.

2004

Fellow, Division 20 (Adult Development and Aging), American Psychological Association

2003

Fellow, Behavioral and Social Sciences Section, Gerontological Society of America

2002 President’s Award for Faculty Excellence, University of South Florida, Tampa, Florida
2001

Outstanding Undergraduate Teaching Award, University of South Florida, Tampa, Florida

Classes Taught

GEY 4401 - Research Methods in Gerontology
GEY 4608 – Alzheimer’s Disease Management
GEY 6403 - Advanced Statistics and Research Methods
GEY 6934 - PhD Seminar in Cognitive Aging
GEY 6934 - PhD Seminar in Psychological Aging