Christopher N. Ochner, Ph.D.


Educational History

2001-2006Drexel University, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Major: Clinical Psychology
Degree: Ph.D. received August 2006
2001-2003Drexel University, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Major: Clinical Psychology
Degree: M.S. received June 2003
1999-2000American University, Washington, District of Columbia
Major: Social and Personality Psychology
Degree: M.A. received December 2000
1996-1998University of Virginia, Charlottesville, Virginia
Major: Psychology
Degree: B.A. received May 1998
1994-1996Trinity University, San Antonio, Texas
Major: Psychology

Professional Experience

09/2006-presentPost-Doctoral Research Fellow, New York Obesity Research Center, St. Lukes-Roosevelt Hospital, New York, NY
Duties: Grant coordination for NIH protocol "fMRI and Ghrelin in Obesity and Binge Eating Disorder", grant coordination for Robert Wood Johnson Foundation protocol "Effect of Pricing on Purchase of Low- Calorie Foods and Change in Body Weight", supervision of graduate students, grant writing, and implementation of original research.
Supervisor: Allan Geliebter, Ph.D., Professor
07/2005-07/2006Clinical Psychology Intern, University of Maryland College of Medicine/Baltimore Veteran's Administration Medical Center Consortium, Baltimore, Maryland
Duties: Clinical health psychology rotations include bariatric surgery evaluations; chronic pain assessment, evaluation, and treatment; primary care patient assessment and treatment; infectious disease patient assessment and treatment; and geriatric patient neuropsychological assessment and treatment. Minor rotation in personality assessment. Also responsible for extern supervision.
Supervisor: Stephen Bono, Ph.D., Clinical Health Psychologist
04/2004-06/2005Consultant, The Silvan S. Tomkins Institute, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Duties: Responsible for overseeing conversion of original ideas for violence management into a formal protocol, establishing appropriate venues for pilot testing, and collecting pilot data for evaluating the efficacy of developed treatment protocol.
Supervisor: Donald Nathanson, M.D., Executive Director
03/2004-07/2005Assessment Counselor, Brooke Glen Behavioral Hospital, Fort Washington, Pennsylvania
Duties: Psychological consultant for patient referrals from outside sources. Responsible for inpatient transfers to and from other facilities, admissions, and patient precertification. Also responsible for leading group psychotherapy for inpatients as well as conducting patient assessments for new admittances.
Supervisor: Cipora Katz, L.S.W., M.H.A., Director of Clinical Services
01/2002-02/2005Behavioral Health Clinician, Hahnemann University Hospital, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Duties: Led group therapy sessions with inpatient psychiatric population, performed psychological evaluations of emergency room admittances with psychiatric symptomatology, new admissions to the psychiatric medical care unit, conducted psycho-social interviews with current psychiatric patients, and participated in treatment team meetings.
Supervisor: Carol Boylan, M.S., L.C.S.W., Director of Psychiatry
06/2002-07/2004Associate Therapist, The Associates in Psychology, P.C., Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Duties: Individual, couple, and family therapy for patients in an outpatient treatment facility. Also responsible for psychological testing, case conceptualizations, case reports, and covering call.
Supervisor: John Spychalski, M.Ed., Director
10/2003-06/2004Sub-contracted Psychological Testing Coordinator, Private Practice, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Duties: Administration of psychological tests including: Wechsler Adult Intelligence Scale-III, Wide Range Achievement Test, Bender Gestalt Test of Visual-Motor Coordination, Purdue Test of Manual Dexterity, Employee Aptitude Survey, Gordon Occupational Checklist, Crown-Crisp Experiential Index. Also responsible for scoring and interpreting results as well as preparing reports for legal and government agencies.
Supervisor: M. Allan Cooperstein, Ph.D., Director
05/2003-11/2003Psychological Testing Coordinator, Drexel University, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Duties: Psychological testing, scoring, and interpretation for an NIH-funded study of memory at Drexel University. Tests include the State-Trait Personality Inventory, Wechsler Adult Intelligence Scale-III, Wechsler Memory Scale, and the Raven's Coloured Progressive Matrices.
Supervisor: John Kounios, Ph.D., Principal Investigator
06/2001-06/2002Practicum Counselor, The Associates in Psychology, P.C., Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Duties: Individual, couple, and family therapy for patients in an outpatient treatment facility. Also responsible for psychological testing, case conceptualizations, case reports, and covering call.
Supervisor: John Spychalski, M.Ed., Director
09/2000-09/2001Practicum Counselor, University of Pennsylvania Weight and Eating Disorders Program, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.
Duties: Patient assessment and individual therapy for obesity, weight loss-maintenance, and binge eating.
Supervisor: Gary Foster, Ph.D., Clinical Director
09/1999-09/2000Research Intern, National Institute of Health, Mental Health Division, Bethesda, Maryland
Duties: Responsible for memory study examining the role of hippocampus in the formation of new memories. Activities included literature review, recruiting and running participants, data entry, and data analysis. Also assisted in administering fMRI and PET scans.
Supervisor: Benjamin Xu, Ph.D., Clinical Research Coordinator
09/1998-06/1999Psychological Technician, University of Virginia Research Center, Charlottesville, Virginia
Duties: Project pilot testing, questionnaire development, interviewing participants, data analysis, and training new staff.
Supervisor: Larry Hollin, M.A., Lab Manager
09/1997-05/1998Intern Staff, Charlottesville Community Attention Center, Charlottesville, Virginia
Duties: Individual and group counseling, tutoring, and planning community service participation for at-risk teens.
Supervisor: Heather Kellums, MSW., Director
09/1996-05/1997Research Assistant, University of Virginia, Charlottesville, Virginia
Duties: Research effects of negative feedback on future performance. Literature review, designing test, running subjects, and data entry.
Supervisor: Timothy Wilson, Ph.D., Associate Professor

Publications

  1. Geliebter, A. & Ochner, C. N. (in preparation). Effects of Weight Loss and Exercise on Leptin and Insulin in Overweight Participants.
  2. Ochner, C. N. & Gray, J. A. (in preparation). The Male Body Dissatisfaction Scale: Development and Validation of a New Measure of Body Dissatisfaction in Men.
  3. Ochner, C. N., Renshaw, K. D., Haim, A., VanHorn, A., Bono, S. F. & Heck, B. (in preparation). The Effects of Audio Supplementation on Patient Anxiety during Gynecological Examinations.
  4. Ochner, C. N. & Lowe, M. R. (in review). Relationship between Calcium Intake, Caloric Intake, and Weight Regain Following a Weight Loss Diet in Overweight Women. International Journal of Obesity.
  5. Lowe, M. R., Butryn, M., Didie, E., Annunziato, R., Crerand, C., Ochner, C. N., Coletta, M., Lucks, D. & Halford, J. (in press). The Power of Food: A New Measure of the Psychological Influence of Food. Psychological Assessment.
  6. Ochner, C. N. (2006). Implementing a Weight Management Program for Outpatients. http://healthforumonline.com/hfo/upcoming.aspx.
  7. Ochner, C. N. & Lowe, M. R. (2002). Are You Committed to Weight Loss? Magellan Behavioral Health member website, http://www.magellanhealth.com.

Presentations

  1. Ochner, C. N., Lowe, M. R., Kounios, J., Green, D., van Steenburgh, J. (in review). Asymmetrical Brain Activation: Relation to Binge Eating and Appetitive Responsiveness in Obese Participants. Oral presentation submitted to the International Conference on Eating Disorders, Baltimore, MD.
  2. Green, D., van Steenburgh, J., Ochner, C. N., Lowe, M. R. & Kounios, J. (October 2006). Measures of appetitive responsiveness predict left-to-right prefrontal asymmetrical activation in obese individuals using EEG: Implications for hedonically-based eating. Oral presentation given at the North American Association for the Study of Obesity National Conference, Boston, MA.
  3. Ochner, C. N., Renshaw, K. D., Haim, A., VanHorn, A., Bono, S. F. & Heck, B. (May 2006). The effects of audio supplementation on patient anxiety during gynecological examinations. Poster presented at the American Pain Society National Conference, San Antonio, TX.
  4. Ochner, C. N., Gray, J. A. & Diana, G. (October 2005). The Male Body Dissatisfaction Scale: Development and Validation of a New Measure of Body Dissatisfaction in Men. Poster presentated at the North American Association for the Study Obesity National Conference, Vancouver, BC.
  5. Ochner, C. N. & Lowe, M. R. (October 2005). Relationship between Macronutrient Intake and Weight Regain Following a Weight Loss Diet. Poster presentated at the North American Association for the Study of Obesity National Conference, Vancouver, BC.
  6. Ochner, C. N. & Lowe, M. R. (April 2005). The Relationship between Calcium and Body Weight. Oral presentation given at the International Conference on Eating Disorders, Montreal, Quebec.
  7. Butryn, M. L., Didie, E., Annunziato, R. A., Ochner, C. N., Coletta, M., & Lowe, M.R. (November, 2004). The Power of Food Scale: Reliability, validity and factor structure. Poster presented at the North American Association for the Study of Obesity Annual Conference, Las Vegas, NV.
  8. Ochner, C. N. & Spychalski, J. T. (March 2004). Use of Interpersonal Techniques in Supervision: Changing Dust to Diamonds. Panel discussion presented at the Society for Interpersonal Theory and Research International Conference, Toronto, ON.
  9. Ochner, C. N. & Lowe, M. R. (February 2004). Opposing Effects of Calcium Intake and Caloric Intake on Weight Regain After Diet. Oral presentation given at the Society for the Study of Ingestive Behavior National Conference, Cincinnati, Ohio.
  10. Lowe, M.R., Annunziato, R., Butryn, M. L., Didie, E., & Ochner, C. N. (February 2004). The Conundrum of Weight Suppression: Findings from Three Studies. Poster presented at the Society for the Study of Ingestive Behavior National Conference, Cincinnati, Ohio.
  11. Ochner, C. N. & Lowe M. R. (December 2003). Dietary Calcium in relation to body weight. Oral presentation given at the International Association for the Study of Obesity conference, Prague, Czech Republic.
  12. Ochner, C. N., Spychalski, J., & Shrier, L. (December 2003). Treating Medical Non-Compliance in Independent Practice: How to; What for. APA approved continuing education program presented at Pennsylvania Psychological Association Annual Conference, Pittsburg, PA.
  13. Lowe, M., Annunziato, R., Riddell, L., Didie, E., Crerand, C., Butryn, M., Lucks, D., Ochner, C.N., Coletta, M., and McKinney, S. (October 2003). Reduced Energy Density Eating and Weight Loss Maintenance: 18-Month Follow-Up Results from a Randomized Control Trial. Oral presentation given at the North American Association for the Study of Obesity National Conference, Fort Lauderdale, FL.
  14. Didie, E., Butryn, M., Annunziato, R., Crerand, C., Ochner, C. N., Coletta, M., Halford, J., and Lowe, M. (October 2003). The Power of Food: A New Measure of the Psychological Influence of Food. Poster presented at North American Association for the Study of Obesity National Conference, Fort Lauderdale, FL.
  15. Annunziato, R., Riddell, L., Caralynn, M., Butryn, M., Didie, E., Lucks, D., Ochner, C. N., McKinney, S., and Lowe, M. (October 2003). Can We Predict Weight Gain During the Freshman Year of College? Poster presented at North American Association for the Study of Obesity national conference, Fort Lauderdale, FL.
  16. Annunziato, R., Butryn, M., Didie, L., Lucks, D., McKinney, S., Ochner, C. N., Riddell, L., & Lowe, M.R. (March 2003). A Prospective Test of Weight Gain in College Women. Symposium presented at the Eastern Psychological Association Annual Meeting, Baltimore, MD.
  17. Kloss J, Barakat, L., Lowe, M., Riddell, L., McKinney, S., Gilrain, K., Anderson, E., Lash, L., Nicolau, C., Annunziato, R., Butryn, M., Didie, E., & Ochner, C. N. (March 2003). Predictors and Enhancers of Coping among College Students Confronted with Health Concerns. Symposium presented at the annual meeting of the Eastern Psychological Association Annual Meeting, Baltimore, MD.
  18. Butryn, M.L, Annunziato, R.A., Crerand, C., Didie, E., Ochner, C. N., & Lowe, M.R. (August 2002). The power of food scale: rationale and psychometric evaluation. Poster presented at the Society for the Study of Ingestive Behavior National Conference, Santa Cruz, California.
  19. Lowe, M.R., Annunziato, R.A., Riddell, L.J, Butryn, M.L., Crerand, C.E., Didie, E.R., Lucks, D.L., Ochner, C. N., & McKinney, S. (August 2002). Controlled Trial of a Nutrition-Focused Treatment for Weight Loss Maintenance. Oral presentation given at the International Congress on Obesity International Meeting, São Paulo, Brazil

Invited Presentations and Guest Lectures

  1. Ochner, C. N. (June 2006). Dietary calcium may inhibit weight regain in overweight individuals. Invited oral presentation given at The Benjamin Franklin Lafayette Seminar, Frejus, France.
  2. Ochner, C. N. (April 2004). Current theory of weight control. Invited guest lecture presented to undergraduate eating disorders and obesity class, Drexel University, Philadelphia, PA.
  3. Ochner, C. N. (March 2004). Relationship between Calcium and Body Weight: Current Literature and Findings from a Study of Weight Loss Maintenance. Invited oral presentation given at The University of Pennsylvania Weight and Eating Disorders Program, Philadelphia, PA.
  4. Ochner, C. N. & McCallister, K. (March 2004). Performance Improvement in an Inpatient Psychiatric Facility. Invited presentation given to all staff of the Psychiatric Medical Care Unit, Hahnemann University Hospital, Philadelphia, PA.
  5. Ochner, C. N. (November 2003). Developmental Obesity. Invited guest lecture presented to undergraduate developmental psychology class at The Community College of Philadelphia, Philadelphia, PA.
  6. Ochner, C. N. , Butryn, M. B. & Annunziato, R. A. (April 2002). A Closer Look at Eating Disorders. Invited presentation given to all seniors and staff at Cherry Hill High School East, Cherry Hill, NJ.
  7. Ochner, C. N. (October 2001). Body Dissatisfaction in Males. Invited presentation given to psychology undergraduate students at American University, Washington, DC.

Objective Measures Developed

Peer Review

Grants Experience

09/2006-presentGrant Manager, National Institutes of Health protocol; "fMRI and Ghrelin in Obesity and Binge Eating Disorder", funded (R03)
Duties: Coordinate and manage all personnel involved in study, IRB correspondence, overseeing adherence to methodological procedures, data analyses, and preparation for publication.
Supervisor: Allan Geliebter, Ph.D., Principal Investigator
09/2006-presentGrant Manager, Robert Wood Johnson Foundation protocol; "Effect of Pricing on Purchase of Low- Calorie Foods and Change in Body Weight", funded
Duties: Assist in methodological design, adherence to protocol, and preparation for publication.
Supervisor: Allan Geliebter, Ph.D., Prinicipal Investigator
01/2005-04/2005Co-author, National Institutes of Health protocol; "Prevention of Obesity in Universities: A Randomized Trial", funded (R01)
Duties: Assisted in grant formulation, writing, and submission for review.
Supervisor: Michael R. Lowe, Ph.D., Principal Investigator
03/2004-01/2005Co-author, in review National Institutes of Health protocol; "Adaptation of a CBT Intervention for Eating Disorders", recommended for funding
Duties: Assisted in grant formulation, writing, revision and resubmission for review.
Supervisor: Michael R. Lowe, Ph.D., Principal Investigator
09/2004-02/2005Co-author, in review National Institutes of Health protocol; "A Worksite Based Intervention to Prevent Weight Gain".
Duties: Assisted in grant formulation, writing, revision and resubmission for review.
Supervisor: Michael R. Lowe, Ph.D., Principal Investigator
05/2003-07/2005Key Personnel, National Institutes of Health protocol; "Weight Loss Maintenance in Primary Care", funded (R01 DK066759-01)
Duties: Assisting in grant proposal formulation and writing, conducting assessments, coordinating staff, data analysis, and preparation for publication. Additional responsibilities include serving as a weight-loss specialist, assisting participants in weight loss intervention through weekly follow-up.
Supervisor: Michael R. Lowe, Ph.D., Principal Investigator
02/2003-07/2005Key Personnel, National Institutes of Health protocol; "A Cafeteria-Based Approach to Weight Gain Prevention", funded (RO1 HL073775)
Duties: Assisting in grant proposal formulation and writing, conducting participant assessments, coordinating cafeteria and psychology office staff, data analysis, and preparation for publication. Additional responsibilities include leading diet intervention groups throughout intervention.
Supervisor: Michael R. Lowe, Ph.D., Principal Investigator
09/2000-04/2003Key Personnel, National Institutes of Health protocol; "A Study of Weight Gain Prevention in College Students", funded (R01)
Duties: Assisted in participant assessments, data analysis, and preparation for publication.
Supervisor: Michael R. Lowe, Ph.D., Principal Investigator

Teaching Experience

02/2005-06/2005Adjunct Professor, Drexel University, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Duties: Responsible for design and teaching of upper-level undergraduate Eating Disorders and Obesity course.
Supervisor: Jacqueline Kloss, Ph.D., Director of undergraduate studies
09/2004-12/2004Adjunct Professor, Drexel University, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Duties: Responsible for design and teaching of upper-level undergraduate Computer Assisted Data Analyses II course.
Supervisor: Jacqueline Kloss, Ph.D., Director of undergraduate studies
01/2004-05/2004Adjunct Professor, University of Sciences in Philadelphia, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Duties: Responsible for design and teaching of undergraduate Personality Theory course.
Supervisor: Joseph Lambert, Ph.D., Chair

Professional Affiliations

Honors

2006University of Maryland Psychological Intern Travel Award recipient
2005Pennsylvania Psychological Foundation Education Award recipient
2004American Psychological Association Student Research Award nominee
2004Brooke Glen Behavioral Hospital Exemplary Contribution Award recipient
2003Hahnemann Hospital Psychiatric Medical Care Unit Most Valued Staff Member Award recipient
2002- presentMENSA, member

Professional Activities

2005- 2006Intern Representative, Psychology Training Committee, University of Maryland/Baltimore VA Medical Center
2004- 2005Graduate Representative to the Practice-Research Network Committee, Pennsylvania Psychological Association
2004- 2005Student Representative, Institutional Review Board, Drexel University
2004- 2005Program Chair, Performance Improvement Council, Hahnemann University Hospital Psychiatric Medical Care Unit
2000- 2001Program Chair, Phi Delta Gamma, a National Graduate Honors Society
2000- 2001President, Psychology Graduate Student Association, American University
1999- 2000Student Representative to the Graduate Advisory Board in Psychology, American University
1999- 2000Student Representative to the Academic Integrity Committee in Psychology, American University
1998Assistant Teacher, Garret Square middle school for children with Learning Disabilities, Charlottesville, Virginia
1998Assistant Program Coordinator, Cedars Assisted Living Facility, Charlottesville, Virginia

Certifications

References

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