MICHAEL N. DRETSCH
University
of Wisconsin-Madison
Psychology Department
Citizenship:
2006 – Present Postdoctoral Research Associate, Cognitive Neuroscience with application to
Experimental Psychopathology
2007
Doctor
of Philosophy, Experimental Psychology
Cognition & Emotion
2001
Bachelor of Arts, Social Sciences
The Evergreen State College,
Post-Doctoral Research Associate,
08/2006 – Current
-Addiction
Research Laboratory,
Full-time
Duties
include conducting studies to research the direct effects of various levels of
acute alcohol intoxication on a number of psychological processes such as
executive functions. Assessment of compromised executive functions as possible
endophenotype in individuals genetically predisposed for the development of
latent alcohol use disorders. Use of behavioural, electrophysiology (EEG,
Event-Related Potentials), psychophysiology (EDA, EMG, Startle-response), and
neuroimaging measures (fMRI) to assay the cognitive and affective components
impacted by alcohol intoxication. This research involves research design, data
collection from a range of populations, data analysis, and both oral and
written reports of findings.
Administration
of controlled substances (alcohol) to participants and the controlled
manipulation of various blood alcohol levels (BAL). Supervision of research labs
and mentoring of research assistants.
Mental Health Coordinator, 01/2006 - 08/2006
-Kokua, Lacey, WA
Full-time
Develop functional assessments of clients
with psychological and/or physical developmental disabilities. Collection of
data and data analyses of clients’ progress for preparing Positive Behavioral
Support Plans. Preparation of oral and written reports
to meet requirements of DSHS WAC and agency policy. Supervise staff and interns.
Research based training and support for residential
teams. Collected data to oversee clients’ use of
psychotropic medications.
Psychiatric Nursing
Assistant, 2005
-Allied Health Care, Miranda House, NHS - Patient
Intensive Care Unit,
Intermittent
Performed tasks to assist members of the nursing
team in providing psychiatric patient care; utilizing knowledge gained through
advanced training and experience
Provided oral and written reports of psychological, physiological, and
behavioral status of patients for collaboration
in a milieu consisting of psychiatrists, psychologists, psychiatric nurses,
social workers, and therapists to provide support for patients. Provided further experience with
DSM-IV-TR, psychotropic medications, and various treatment modalities for cognitive
and mood disturbances.
-
Part-time
Contribution to teaching on
the GCSE, AS, A2 and AHEAD programmes in psychology, as appropriate, in areas
relating to expertise, as agreed with the Head of Department. Taught
preliminary skills in research design, data collection, data analysis, and
interpretation and reporting of findings. Oral communication with departmental
staff to ensure integrity of teaching and student learning.
Modules taught: Cognitive
Psychology, Developmental Psychology, Physiological Psychology, Individual
Differences, Social Psychology, Comparative Psychology, and Research Design and
Methods
Graduate Teaching Assistant, 09/2003 - 08/2004
-Department of Psychology,
Part-time
Contribution to teaching
undergraduate psychology students; Research Methods and Statistics (DEAR 2
& 3). Participated in the administration and marking of exams and other
assessments. Oral communication with other teaching assistants involved with
the course to ensure conformity in grading of exams.
Research Assistant, 01/2003 - 08/2003
-Dr. Anna Pecchinenda,
Part-time
Assisted in conducting of psychology study; data
collection, entering and coding data, and data analysis with SPSS. Prepared spread sheets and files
for behavioural and psychometric data collected from decision making study.
Social Worker 2, 01/2002 - 01/2003
-Department of Children and Family Services,
Full-time
Provided case management services to families
involved with Methamphetamine Family Services. Assessed risk factors to
children, file dependency petitions, comply with policy and procedure related
to foster care, adoption, Indian Child Welfare, Indian Child Protective Services.
Collected data of children’s medical and psychological needs, parental
substance dependency treatment, and other court-ordered requirements by parties
involved. Provided periodic written and oral communication of findings to courts
and other providers. Direct services to children, parents, relatives and foster parents in
crisis. Worked collaboratively with community agencies, law enforcement,
service providers, Guardian Ad Litem, Attorney General’s Office, Department of
Assigned Counsel, etc
Juvenile Rehabilitation Residential Counselor, 12/1999 - 01/2002
-Department of Social and Health Services,
Full-time
Provided supervision; case management and treatment
services to an assigned caseload of youth placed who may display behavioural/
psychiatric/ social/ medical and/or correctional problems and may exhibit
bizarre and aggressive behaviour - under Juvenile Rehabilitation Administration
Supervision
Administered drug and alcohol assessments, risk
assessments (e.g., suicide, community, sex-offender). Worked collaboratively
with community agencies in the placement, recovery, and treatment of youth by
providing up-to-date oral and written reports. Collected data to ensure
appropriate medical, dental, psychiatric, and psychological services to ensure
the well-being of youth. Facilitated Sex-Offender treatment groups (CBT).
-USS Supply (AOE-6)
Full-time
Deck seamanship
Damage control coordinator: Responsible for
spot-checks to maintain air-tight and water-tight integrity of divisional
spaces in case of fire, or chemical and biological warfare. Responsible for
cleanliness of ventilation ducts, updating of fire extinguishers (PKP, CO2,
Halogen, and H2O), and life-preserve units. Reported findings to
senior officers and petty officers assigned to division.
Association for Psychological Science
Society for Psychophysiological Research
Dretsch, M. & Tipples, J. (under review). When
risk pays-off: Impaired gambling performance in low impulsive sensation
seekers. Brain and Cognition.
Dretsch, M. & Tipples, J. (2007). Working memory involved in predicting future outcomes based on past experiences. Brain and Cognition, In Press.
Pecchinenda, A., Dretsch, M. & Chapman, P. (2006). The effect of working memory load on emotion-based processes involved in choosing advantageously. Experimental Psychology,53(3), 191-197.
Dretsch, M. (2006). A Neuropsychological Approach to
Understanding Impulsivity in Individuals with Mental Retardation and Associated
Disorders. Region 5, Division of Developmental Disabilities, DSHS.
Dretsch, M.
& Tipples, J. (2006). The Contribution of Cognitive and Motivational
Differences in Human Decision-Making. University of Wisconsin-Madison,
Department of Psychology.
Dretsch, M.
& Tipples, J. (2005). Individual Differences in Sensation Seeking
Influence Preference for High-Risk Rewards.
Dretsch, M.,
Pecchinenda, A. & Chapman, P. (2005). Disparate Contribution of
Cognitive Processes in Optimal Decision-Making.
Dretsch, M.
& Pecchinenda, A. (2005). A Dual-Task Approach to Studying the Role of Working
Memory in Human Decision-making.
Dretsch, M.
& Pecchinenda, A. (2004). Involvement of the Visuospatial Component
During Performance at an Emotion-Based Decision-Making Analogue.