Ph.D., University of Florida, 2000 Assistant Professor Associate Chair, Clinical Psychology and NBN Program tzking@gsu.edu 404-413-6279 734 Urban Life

As a developmental clinical neuropsychologist, my clinical research interests examine the neurophysiological mechanisms underlying the cognitive and social-emotional abilities of individuals with neurological conditions across the lifespan. My research has a specific emphasis on examining the biopsychosocial factors that contribute to optimal executive and emotional functioning following neurological injury during childhood. Executive and emotional functions are of interest to me because of the importance of these skills in daily life. I have observed the significant disruption in the development of these skills in children and devastating loss of these skills in adults following frontal-subcortical system lesions, including disruption of white matter pathways. My focus on adaptive functioning capabilities grew out of my postdoctoral training with adults with vascular dementia, and subsequently my clinical research with adult survivors of childhood brain tumors. Both sets of patients and their families reported significant concern about independent living skills that often superseded cognitive concerns. My interest in these brain-behavior relationships is broad, spanning a wide range of research methods, psychological domains, and populations. Three primary foci of my research program are studies of survivors of childhood brain tumors, neuroimaging studies of executive functions, and psychophysiological and neuroimaging studies of emotion.

The major focus of my lab is examining the adaptive functioning of adult survivors of childhood brain tumors. We are evaluating a group of young adults who are in their twenties and who were followed longitudinally as children beginning at the time of diagnosis and treatment. Our clinical research interests are to identify the childhood and current adult predictors of adaptive functioning. In particular, we are interested in identifying executive and emotional functioning correlates as well as neuroimaging correlates of adult survivors’ adaptive living skills. The American Cancer Society (ACS) has awarded me a Research Scholar Grant for this program of research. http://www.whsc.emory.edu/press_releases2.cfm?announcement_id_seq=11303

Building on the neuroimaging paradigms used in the ACS study, I have a specific focus of research on executive functions in other clinical populations. One extension is a project funded by GSU Brains and Behavior Program (B&B) that examines the white matter integrity of prefrontal cortex and associated behavior change pre- and post- adenotonsillectomy in young children with obstructive sleep apnea (Wise co-I) using DTI. Another extension is the FMRI examination of executive functions in children with frontal lobe epilepsy and a typically developing group for a study with colleagues at Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta (Jones & Burns). I am also analyzing a B&B funded series of FMRI research projects (PIs: Vanman & Washburn) that examines neural activation during a false memory paradigm, executive functioning paradigm, and a social categorization paradigm.

Another area of my research builds upon my interest in emotion using a multilevel approach including psychophysiological methods (i.e., facial electromyography, skin conductance, and heart rate) and neuroimaging markers. One area of focus is on emotion perception in Autism Spectrum Disorders [ASD] and typically developing individuals. Our preliminary findings from B&B seed grant have shown disrupted facial mimicry in ASD as measured by facial EMG (Mumaw, King, & Robins, 2007 IMFAR). This study uses dynamic audiovisual emotion perception task and was recently funded by Autism Speaks (co-PI: Robins). In addition, data from this study encouraged the development of a seed grant proposal awarded by an NSF-funded Center for Behavioral Neuroscience. This grant enables the correlation of brain activation during an FMRI emotion perception task with a measure of empathy and also acquires DTI data to examine the role of white matter integrity. On two additional research projects, I am a co-investigator and scientifically direct the psychophysiological measurement of arousal and valence during different experimental paradigms. One examines individual differences that influence police officer shoot decisions (PI: Kleider & Co-I Parrott). Another program of research examines amygdala activation as a predictor of response to innovative social anxiety therapy (PIs: Anderson & Tone).

Select Representative Publications (student co-authors' names are italicized)

Papazoglou, A., King, T., Morris, R., & Krawiecki, N. (in press). Parent report of attention problems predicts later adaptive functioning in children with brain tumors.  Child Neuropsychology.

Mumaw, M., King, T., Mao, H., Morris, R.D., & Krawiecki, N.(2008, June). Executive skills and frontal lobe white matter integrity in adult survivors of childhood brain tumors: Relationship to radiation treatment [Abstract]. The Clinical Neuropsychologist. Presented at the annual meeting of the American Academy of Clinical Neuropsychology, Boston, MA.

Micklewright, J.L., King, T.Z., O’Toole, K., Henrich, C., Floyd, F.J., Tone, E., Schmitz, M.L.. (2008, Oct).  Conditional indirect effect of parental distress on externalizing behavior problems and socialization skills following pediatric traumatic brain injury. [Abstract].  Archives of Clinical Neuropsychology, To be presented at the annual meeting of the National Academy of Neuropsychology, NY, NY.

Ryan, J.P., King, T.Z.,Washburn, D.A., Amoss, R.T., & Vanman, E.J. (2008, May). Activation of the reflective and reflexive systems while viewing members of artificial and naturally occurring groups:  An fMRI study.  To be presented at the Society for Psychophysiological Research.

Micklewright, J.L., King, T., Morris, R., & Krawiecki, N. (2008). Quantifying Pediatric Neuro-oncology Risk Factors:  Development of the Neurological Predictor Scale.  Journal of Child Neurology, 23(4), 455-458. Presentation earned Top prize National Academy of Neuropsychology Research Award.

Papazoglou, A., King, T., Morris, R, & Krawiecki, N. (2008). Cognitive predictors of adaptive functioning vary according to pediatric brain tumor location.  Developmental Neuropsychology, 33(4), 1-16.

Papazoglou, A., King, T., Morris, R, Morris, M. & Krawiecki, N. (2008). Attention Mediates Radiation’s Impact on Daily Living Skills in Children Treated for Brain Tumors.  Pediatric Blood & Cancer, 50(6), 1253-1257.

Micklewright, J., King, T., Morris, R., & Morris, M.  (2007). Attention and memory in children with brain tumors.  Child Neuropsychology, 13(6), 522-527.  

King, T., Papazoglou, A. Morris, R.D., & Krawiecki, N.(2007, June). Attention problems in survivors of pediatric brain tumors predict adult adaptive outcomes [Abstract]. The Clinical Neuropsychologist, 21 (3), p. 412.

Micklewright, J.L., Kapahi, S., King, T., Morris, R.D., Krawiecki, N. (2007, June).  Family functioning at diagnosis as a predictor of later adaptive functioning in pediatric brain tumor survivors [Abstract]. The Clinical Neuropsychologist, 21 (3).

Papazoglou, A., King, T., Gessner, S., Morris, R., & Krawiecki, N. (2007, June). Age at diagnosis of childhood brain tumor predicts parent report of behavior problems [Abstract].  The Clinical Neuropsychologist, 21 (3).

Mumaw, M., King, T., & Robins, D.  (2007, May).  Disrupted facial mimicry in autism: Preliminary physiological data during dynamic emotion perception.  Poster presented at the annual International Meeting for Autism Research, Seattle, WA.

McManus, S.M., Banks, M.S., King, T.Z., & Robins, D.L. (2007). Emotion perception in adolescents with autism spectrum disorders. Poster presented at the Georgia Psychological Association, Atlanta, GA, May, 2007.  Earned 2nd place for GPA Graduate Student Poster.

Inman, C., Mumaw, M., & King, T. (2007, May). Emotional awareness and psychophysiological markers of performance on the Iowa Gambling Task. Earned American Psychological Society Student Travel Award.

King, T., Morris, R., Hsu, Y-S., Chai, D., Krawiecki, N.  (2007, Feb).  Longitudinal models of adaptive behaviors in children treated for brain tumors [Abstract].  Journal of the International Neuropsychological Society, 13 S1.

Mumaw, M., King, T., Legg, A., Morris, R., & Krawiecki, N.  (2007, Feb).  Intact serial position effect in children with brain tumors [Abstract]. Journal of the International Neuropsychological Society, 13 S1.

Papazoglou, A., King, T., Morris, R., & Morris, M. (2006, September). Cognitive Predictors of Adaptive Functioning in Children with Tumors of the Cerebellar and Third Ventricle Regions. Poster session  presented at the Psychosocial and Neurocognitive Consequences of Childhood Cancer: A symposium in tribute to Raymond Mulhern, Memphis, TN.

Micklewright, J., King, T., Morris, R., & Morris, M.  (2006, June).  Proactive and retroactive interference in children with cerebellar tumors [Abstract]. Clinical Neuropsychologist. Poster session presented at the annual meeting of the American Academy of Clinical Neuropsychology, Philadelphia, PA.

King, T.Z., Fennell, E., Williams, L., Algina, J., Boggs, S., Crosson, B., & Leonard, C.  (2004).  Verbal memory abilities of children with brain tumors.  Child Neuropsychology, 10, 76-88.

Boyle, P.A., Paul, R., Moser, D., Zawacki, T., Gordon, N., & Cohen, R.  (2003).  Cognitive and Neurologic Predictors of Functional Impairment in Vascular Dementia.  American Journal of Geriatric Psychiatry, 11, 103-106.

Cohen, R.A., Brumm, V., Zawacki, T., Paul, R., & Rosenbaum, A.  (2003).  Impulsivity and verbal deficits associated with domestic violence.  Journal of International Neuropsychology Society 9 (5), 760-770.

King, T.Z., Fennell, E., Bauer, R., Crosson, B., Dede, D., Riley, J.L., Robinson, M.E., Uthman, B., Gilmore, R., & Roper, S.N.  (2002).  MMPI-2 Profiles of Patients with Intractable Epilepsy.  Archives of Clinical Neuropsychology, 17, 583-593.
Adams, C.D., Streisand, R., & Zawacki, T.  (2002).  Living with a Chronic Illness: A measure of social activities and competence for children and adolescence.  Journal of Pediatric Psychology, 27, 593-605.

Cohen, R.A., Paul, R.H., Ott, B.R., Moser, D.J., Zawacki, T.M., Stone, W., Gordon, N.  (2002).  The relationship of subcortical MRI hyperintensities and brain volume on cognitive function in vascular dementia.  Journal of the International Neuropsychological Society, 8, 743-752.

Zawacki, T.M., Grace, J., Friedman, J.H., & Sudarsky, L.  (2002).   Executive and Emotional Dysfunction in Machado-Joseph Disease.  Movement Disorders, 17, 1004-1010.

Zawacki, T.M., Grace, J., Paul, R., Moser, D.J., Ott, B.R., Gordon, N., Cohen, R.A. (2002).  Behavioral problems as predictors of functional abilities of Vascular Dementia patients. Journal of Neuropsychiatry and Clinical Neurosciences, 14, 296-302.

Paul, R.H., Cohen, R.A., Ott, B.R., Zawacki, T.M., Moser, D.J., & Gordon, N.  (2002).  The serial position effect in mild and moderately severe vascular dementia.  Journal of International Neuropsychology Society, 8, 584-587.

Cohen, R., Salloway, S., Zawacki, T.  (2002).  Neuropsychiatric Aspects of Disorders of Attention. In S.C. Yudofsky & R.E. Hales (Eds.), The American Psychiatric Press Textbook of Neuropsychiatry, (Chapter 14, 4th edition).  Washington, DC: American Psychiatric Press, Inc.

Zawacki, T.M., Sweet, L., Paul, R., Moser, D., Cohen, R. (2002, February). SPECT correlates of apathy in patients with vascular dementia. Journal of the International Neuropsychological Society .

Cohen, R.A., Paul, R., Zawacki, T., Moser, D.J., Sweet, L., & Wilkinson, H.  (2001). Emotional and personality changes following cingulotomy.  Emotion, 1, 38-50.

Cohen, R.A., Paul, R.H., Zawacki, T.M., Sethi, M., Ott, B.R., Moser, D.J., Stone, W., Noto, R., & Gordon, R.  (2001).  Single photon emission computed tomography, magnetic resonance imaging hyperintensities, and cognitive impairments in patients with vascular dementia.  Journal of Neuroimaging, 11, 253-260.

Paul, R.H., Cohen, R.A., Zawacki, T., Gilchrist, J.M., Aloia. M.S. (2001).  What have we really learned about cognition in myasthenia gravis?: A review of methods and results. Neuroscience and Biobehavioral Reviews, 25, 75-81.

Loftis, C., Zawacki, T., Bauer, R., Crosson, B., Briggs, R., Sadek, J., Auerbach, E., Gokay, D., Gopinada, K. (2000). Occipital and temporal lobe activation using an explicit memory task. [Abstract]. Journal of the International Neuropsychological Society.

Grace, J., Boyle, P., Zawacki, T., Stout, J.C. (2000). Frontal behavior change in chronic and acute neurological disorders. [Abstract]. Journal of Neuropsychiatry and Clinical Neurosciences, 12: 146.

Grace, J., Zawacki, T., Ott, B., Boyle, P., & Noto, R. (2000, March). Behavioral, neuropsychological, and SPECT correlates of frontal lobe functioning in dementia. [Abstract]. Brain and Cognition (2001), 47 (1-2), 279-282.

Moser, D.J., Bauer, R.M., Gilmore, R.L., Dede, D.E ., Fennell, E.B., Algina, J.J., Jakus, R ., Roper, S.N., Zawacki, T.M., & Cohen, R.A. (2000). EEG, MRI, and Neuropsychological Indicators of Seizure Focus Lateralization in Temporal Lobe Epilepsy.  Archives of Neurology, 57, 707-712.

Paul, R.H., Cohen, R.A., Ott, B.R., Zawacki, T.M., Moser, D.J., Davis, J., Gordon, N., & Stone, W.  (2000).  Cognitive and functional status in two subtypes of vascular dementia.  NeuroRehabilitation, 15, 199-205.  

Zawacki, T., Friedman, J.H., Grace, J., & Shetty, N.  (2000).  Permanent cerebellar toxicity of cytosine arabinoside: Clinical and neuropsychological signs.  Neurology, 55, 1234.

Bauer, R.M., & Zawacki, T.  (2000).  Auditory Agnosia and Amusia.  In M.J. Farah & T.E. Feinberg (Eds.), Patient-Based Approaches to Cognitive Neuroscience, (pp. 97-106).  New York: McGraw-Hill.

Crosson, B., Zawacki, T., Brinson, G., Lu, L., & Sadek, J.  (1997).  Models of Subcortical Functions in Language: Current Status.  Journal of Neurolinguistics, 10, 277-300.

Bauer, R.M., & Zawacki, T.  (1997).  Auditory Agnosia and Amusia.  In T.E. Feinberg & M.J. Farah (Eds.), Behavioral Neurology and Neuropsychology, (pp. 267-276).  New York: McGraw-Hill.

Westerveld, M., Zawacki, T., Sass, K.J., Spencer, S.S., Novelly, R.A., & Spencer, D.D.  (1994).  Intracarotid Amytal Procedure Evaluation of Hemispheric Speech and Memory Function in Children and Adolescents, Journal of Epilepsy, 7, 295-302.