Measuring Cognitive Effects of Pediatric Oncology Treatments Using Computerized Assessments

Adrian Schembri, Science Director, Cogstate

Dr. Adrian Schembri is a licensed clinical psychologist and Science Director of the Research and Development Division at Cogstate. Dr Schembri completed a Doctorate in Clinical Psychology at RMIT University in Melbourne, Australia, including a thesis that focused on the cognitive overlap between eating disorders and Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder. He has worked as a Senior Lecturer in the School of Mathematical and Geospatial Sciences, and Research Fellow in the Applied Psychology and Health Research Cluster in the School of Health Sciences at RMIT University. Dr Schembri was also a Statistics Consultant for staff and PhD students at RMIT University as well as for industry partners, providing consultation in research design, and both quantitative and qualitative analysis.

Dr Schembri has published peer-reviewed articles and conference papers in the areas of clinical, neuroscience, educational, developmental, and sports psychology, as well as ratings systems and predictive modeling. As a clinical psychologist, Dr Schembri has worked in metropolitan and rural hospitals, and in private practice settings with children, adolescents and adults in the treatment of a broad range of psychopathology, including depression, anxiety, stress, grief and loss, and eating disorders.

Dr Schembri joined Cogstate in 2012 and is responsible for supporting research teams internationally with the use of Cogstate within their studies. This work involves providing insight into research design, selection of appropriate batteries, and statistical analysis. Dr Schembri also supports new projects and innovations, and development of new computerized tests as well as screening and assessment tools within the Clinical Trials and Research and Development Divisions.

Dr Schembri is Secretary of the Victorian Section Committee of the APS College of Clinical Psychologists, and the Executive Committee of MathSport, a special interest group of Australian and New Zealand Industrial and Applied Mathematics (ANZIUM).

Kristina K. Hardy, PhD, Pediatric Neuropsychologist, Division of Neuropsychology, Children’s National Health System, Associate Professor, Departments of Psychiatry & Behavioral Sciences and Pediatrics, George Washington University School of Medicine

Kristina K. Hardy is a pediatric neuropsychologist within the Division of Neuropsychology at Children’s National Health System and an Associate Professor in the Departments of Psychiatry & Behavioral Sciences and Pediatrics at the George Washington University School of Medicine. Dr. Hardy has expertise in developmental and acquired difficulties with attention, learning and executive functioning. She provides clinical services, including evaluation and therapy, to children and adolescents with a broad range of mental and medical health issues, including those with Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD), pediatric cancer and neurofibromatosis, type 1. Her clinical research program is focused primarily on identifying factors associated with neurocognitive difficulties in survivors of pediatric cancer and children with neurofibromatosis, as well as developing and assessing interventions for these difficulties. She has a particular interest in evaluating the use of technology in mental health, including computerized assessment and cognitive training programs.

Dr. Hardy is also involved with clinical studies associated with the Children’s Oncology Group, in which she serves as Vice-Chair of the Behavioral Science discipline committee.At Children’s National, Dr. Hardy serves as the Director for the Neuropsychological and Psychosocial Evaluation Core of the Clinical Studies Resource within the Clinical and Translational Science Institute, and is actively involved in training graduate students, predoctoral interns and postdoctoral fellows.