Publications & Research
Publications & Research
Peer-reviewed publications, thesis research, and laboratory contributions spanning epidemiology, global health, neurolinguistics, and cognitive aging.
Publications
Sleep as a contributor to socioeconomic disparities in hypertension: The Midlife in the United States (MIDUS II) Study
Aqua JK, Barnum O, Johnson DA
Sleep · 2024
Investigated whether sleep quality partially mediates the association between socioeconomic status and hypertension using 7-day actigraphy data from 426 adults in the MIDUS II cohort. Found that low sleep efficiency was associated with 24% higher hypertension prevalence, higher systolic blood pressure, and higher diastolic blood pressure, suggesting sleep quality as a target for reducing cardiovascular health disparities.
Continuing Contributions of Field Epidemiology Training Programs to Global COVID-19 Response
Bell E, Mittendorf C, Meyer E, Barnum O, Reddy C, Williams S, Baggett H, Turcios-Ruiz R
Emerging Infectious Diseases · 2022
Documented how FETP trainees and graduates across 32 countries contributed to global COVID-19 preparedness and response, highlighting the critical role of field epidemiology training in strengthening health systems.
Presentations
Neural sensitivity to close phonological neighbors is consistent across the lifespan
Diaz M, Zhang H, Cosgrove A, Gertel V, Karimi H, Troutman S, Barnum O, Eads A, Henderson M, Lebkeucher A
Pennsylvania State University · Language and Aging Lab · 2019
Investigated whether phonological neighborhood sensitivity — how the brain responds to words with similar-sounding neighbors — remains stable across the adult lifespan. Using fMRI and a word-naming task with 53 participants (aged 22–78), the study found that neural sensitivity to phonological neighbors was consistent across age groups, suggesting that phonological organization is preserved even as other aspects of language production decline with age.
Research Experience
Laboratory & field contributions
Research assistant and technologist roles across epidemiology, neurolinguistics, and cognitive aging labs at three institutions.
Emory University
Plantinga Lab
Dr. Laura Plantinga
Data validation and analysis for the APPEAL study, examining functional impairment in patients with lupus. Contributed to dataset cleaning and quality assurance for a multi-site longitudinal study.
Hackney Neurokinesiology Lab
Dr. Madeleine Hackney
Supported tango and walking intervention research (DREAM On study). Conducted interview transcription and qualitative data processing for a study examining movement therapy in older adults.
Penn State University
Brain, Language & Computation Lab / Language and Aging Lab / Bilingualism and Language Development Lab
Dr. Ping Li · Dr. Michele Diaz · Dr. Janet Van Hell
Multi-lab neurolinguistics research under the PIRE (Partnerships for International Research and Education) grant. Managed cross-lab data collection protocols, EEG and eye-tracking sessions, and participant coordination across three concurrent research programs.
University of Richmond
Memory & Cognitive Aging Project
Dr. Jane Berry
Developed and administered eye-tracking protocols, performed SPSS data analysis, and contributed to IRB protocol drafting. Supported longitudinal research on memory and cognitive aging in older adult populations.