Roles
Clinical Neuropsychologist
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Biography
I am both a Clinical Neuropsychologist, and an early-stage investigator in the Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, at the Miller School of Medicine, University of Miami, Florida. My research initially aimed at investigating important aspects of prospective memory in amnestic and nonamnestic individuals with Mild Cognitive Impairment (MCI). In particular, my work has aimed at improving the assessment of different elements of prospective memory, important in MCI research, as a significant feature to those at risk for Alzheimer’s disease (Hernandez Cardenache, et al. 2014). Working with others in this area, we have also recently examined the contribution of educational levels as a protective factor of preserved executive function abilities, as measured by verbal and nonverbal neuropsychological tasks. Such studies have advanced our field by providing evidence for the cognitive reserve theory which posits that individuals with higher levels of education and knowledge may develop more efficient brain networks allowing for greater cognitive flexibility, strategic learning, and memory (Garcia, Hernandez-Cardenache, and Arias, 2017, Accepted Poster, South Florida Research Symposium).
While primarily a clinician in daily clinical practice, my research interests have evolved over the years and have served to delineate the neuropsychological correlates of MCI, Cerebral Vascular Disease, ADHD in adult and elderly populations, and Sleep Disorders. As a developing scholar, I have published chapters on Stroke and Cerebral Vascular Disease and neuropsychological functioning (Hernandez-Cardenache and Johnson-Green (2013), as well as chapters focusing on competent neuropsychological assessment with Hispanic populations (Hernandez-Cardenache, et al. 2015). These contributions to the field have created the impetus to becoming further involved with other scholars and researchers working with at-risk populations within the Hispanic community. Moreover, it has advanced my technical skills in the assessment of brain-behavior relationships. Over the years, I have overseen a monthly research symposium at the Neuropsychology Assessment Clinic at the University of Miami, aimed at generating further studies with this community. The symposium brings together highly motivated cross-cultural, neuropsychology doctoral students, neuroscience fellows, and neuropsychiatrists committed to contributing to advancing neuroscience.
Most recently, I have collaborated with Dr. Albert Ramos, Neurology, Division of Sleep, and Dr. Noam Alperin, Radiology, with the aim of examining the relationships between obstructive sleep apnea, brain functioning, and cognition, in a sample of Hispanic males, using state-of-the art, Magnetic Resonance Imaging and advanced Computer-Based Neuropsychological Testing.
Most notably, our group was awarded an interdisciplinary institutional grant by the Scientific Advisory Committee (SAR) to investigate sleep, neuropsychological functioning, and magnetic resonance imaging markers of brain health. Upon completion of the pilot study in 2020, our research group published studies with pilot data from this study, examining the cognitive and neuroimaging correlates of insomnia in obstructive sleep apnea (Ramos, et al. 2021), and delineating important relationships between insomnia, neurocognition, and brain anatomy. Additionally, our research group has also established evidence that poor sleep is associated with reductions in hippocampal subfields even in cognitively normal elderly individuals (Liu, et al. 2021). Such publications have provided a foundation for our continued work in this area. -
Education & Training
Education
Post Graduate Training
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Teaching Interests
My teaching interests involved introducing and covering topics related to psychological and neuropsychological testing. For many years now I have directed the psychological testing lecture series at the UM-Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences. More specifically, I have instructed courses in principles and practice of neuropsychological testing, Neuropsychology and Traumatic Brain Injury, and Fundamental of Termination in Psychotherapy. Additionally, I oversee the ongoing training of pre-doctoral and post-doctoral graduate students and residents that are enrolled in formal graduate education programs. Such training involves weekly supervision about clinical cases and overseeing the didactic components of the program. Lastly, I have been part of the dissertation committees of over 6 predoctoral students providing scientific guidance and support throughout the process. -
Research Interests
My research interests involve exploring the neuropsychological correlates with various sleep disorders, like insomnia and obstructive sleep apnea. I am currently collaborating with Dr. Albert Ramos, Neurology, Division of Sleep, and Dr. Noam Alperin, Radiology, with the aim of examining the relationships between obstructive sleep apnea, brain functioning, and cognition, in a sample of Hispanic males, using state-of-the art, Magnetic Resonance Imaging and advanced Computer-Based Neuropsychological Testing.
Most notably, our group was recently awarded an interdisciplinary institutional grant by the Scientific Advisory Committee (SAR) to investigate sleep, neuropsychological functioning, and magnetic resonance imaging markers of brain health. Upon completion of the pilot study in 2020, our research group published studies with pilot data from this study, examining the cognitive and neuroimaging correlates of insomnia in obstructive sleep apnea (Ramos, et al. 2021), and delineating important relationships between insomnia, neurocognition, and brain anatomy.
Additionally, our research group has also established evidence that poor sleep is associated with reductions in hippocampal subfields even in cognitively normal elderly individuals (Liu, et al. 2021). Most recently, we have been interested in determining if psychotherapeutic interventions like Cognitive Behavioral Therapy for Insomnia can improve cognitive and neurological functioning using state-of-the art cognitive testing and neuroimaging techniques. Such publications have provided a foundation for our continued work in this area. -
Publications
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