Areas of Expertise:
- Adult Development and Gerontology
- Cognitive aging (aging-related changes in cognitive abilities)
- Cognitive training in cognitively impaired and unimpaired older adults
- Physical training in older adults to improve both physical and cognitive functioning
- Applied everyday outcomes, such as mobility and driving in older adults
- Particularly cognitive and functional performance as longitudinal predictors of driving ability
- Also, the impact of providing feedback regarding cognitive abilities on driving habits and behavior
Education:
- PhD in Developmental Psychology, University of Alabama at Birmingham
- Graduate Certificate in Gerontology, University of Alabama at Birmingham
- MA in Developmental Psychology, University of Alabama at Birmingham
- BS in Psychology, Auburn University Montgomery
Dissertation:
- The Impact of Feedback on Self-Rated Driving Ability among Older Adults
Research Areas of Interest:
- Adult Development and Gerontology
- Cognitive aging (aging-related changes in cognitive abilities)
- Cognitive training in cognitively impaired and unimpaired older adults
- Physical training in older adults to improve both physical and cognitive functioning
- Applied everyday outcomes, such as mobility and driving in older adults
- Particularly cognitive and functional performance as longitudinal predictors of driving ability
- The impact of providing feedback regarding cognitive abilities on driving habits and behavior
- Online Eduaction for adults
Selected Publications:
- Ackerman, M. & Shapira, B. (2021). Dissertation sequence at a fully online nonprofit university: Evidence for best practice. Presented at the American Psychological Association (APA) Conference, Virtual.
- Ackerman, M. L., Shapira, B. & Blackwell, J. (2020). Benefits of and student success with an online doctoral Program: Comparative data on time to completion, retention, and dissertation quality. Presented at the American Psychological Association (APA) Conference, Virtual. https://convention.apa.org/
- Ackerman, M. & Shapira, B. (2021). Dissertation sequence at a fully online nonprofit university: Evidence for best practice. Presented at the American Psychological Association (APA) Conference, Virtual.
- Ackerman, M. L., Shapira, B. & Blackwell, J. (2020). Benefits of and student success with an online doctoral Program: Comparative data on time to completion, retention, and dissertation quality. Presented at the American Psychological Association (APA) Conference, Virtual. https://convention.apa.org/
- Ackerman, M. L., Crowe, M., Wadley, V., Vance, D. E., Edwards, J. D. & Ball, K. K. (2014). What factors influence the relationship between feedback on cognitive performance and subsequent driving self-regulation? Journal of Applied Gerontology. doi: 0733464814529473
- Vance, D. E., Fazeli, P. L., Dodson, J. E., Ackerman, M. L., Talley, M., & Appel, S. J. (2014). The synergistic effects of HIV, diabetes, and aging on cognition: Implications for practice and research. Journal of Neuroscience Nursing, 46(5), 292-305. doi:
- Ackerman, M. L., Ball, K., Crowe, M., Owsley, C., Vance, D., and Wadley, V. (2011). The impact of feedback on self-rated driving ability and driving self-regulation among older adults. The Gerontologist, Editor's Choice article, 51(3), 367-378.
- Ball, K. K. & Ackerman, M. L. (2011). The older driver: Training and assessment, knowledge, skills and attitudes. In Fisher, D. L., Rizzo, M., Caird, J. K., & Lee, J. D. (Eds). Handbook of Driving Simulation for Engineering, Medicine, and Psychology. Boca Raton, FL: CRC Press.
Selected Professional Experience:
- Full Professor and Program Lead for Psychology PhD program , Psychology, Northcentral University
- Associate Professor, Psychology (Doctoral level), Northcentral University
- Adjunct Assistant Professor, Psychology, University of Alabama at Birmingham
- Post-Doctoral Follow, Center for Research on Applied Gerontology, University of Alabama at Birmingham
- 2018-Present Faculty Senate, School of Social and Behavioral Sciences Senator, NCU Communications sub-committee member
- 2013-Present Peer Reviewer, Journal of Health Disparities: Research and Practice
- 2010-Present Peer Reviewer, Clinical Interventions in Aging
- 2009-Present Peer Reviewer, Journal of Gerontology: Psychological Sciences
- 2008-Present Peer Reviewer, Accident Analysis and Prevention
- 2020 Marquis Who's Who in America (74th Edition)
- Awardee, Albert Nelson Marquis Lifetime Achievement
- 2016 Outstanding Adjunct Faculty Award, NCU