Tiffany F. Hughes B.S., Neuroscience and Psychology, Allegheny College, 2001

Email Address: thughes@hsc.usf.edu
Telephone: (813) 974-3237
Entered Program : 2004
Supervisor: Brent J. Small, Ph.D. & Ross Andel, Ph.D.
Curriculum Vitae (pdf)

Area of Interest: The influence of lifestyle on cognitive aging and Alzheimer’s disease

Publications

Costa, D.A., Cracchiolo, J.R., Bachstetter, A.D., Hughes, T.F., Bales, K.R., Paul,
S.M., et al. (2006). Enrichment improves cognition in AD mice by amyloidrelated
and unrelated mechanisms. Neurobiology of Aging, Epub ahead of
print.

Small, B.J., Hughes, T.F., Hultsch, D.F., & Dixon, R.A. (2007). Lifestyle
activities and late-life changes in cognitive performance. In Y. Stern (ed.),
Cognitive Reserve: Theory and Applications (pp.173-186). New York: Taylor
& Francis.

Andel, R., Hughes, T.F., & Crowe, M.G. (2005). Strategies to reduce the risk
of cognitive decline and dementia. Aging Health, 1(1),107-116.

Bielak, A. A. M., Hughes, T.F., Small, B.J., & Dixon, R.A. (under review). Does an
engaged lifestyle predict cognitive level and inconsistency 6 years later?
Journal of Gerontology: Psychological Sciences.

Hughes, T.F., Andel, R., Small, B.J., Borenstein, A.R., & Mortimer, J.A. (in
progress). The association between social resources and cognitive
performance in a population-based sample of older adults: The Charlotte
County Healthy Aging Study.

Presentations

Hughes, T.F., Small, B.J., Potter, H., Borenstein, A.R., & Mortimer, J.A. (November,
2006). Pupillary response to tropicamide is related to cognitive performance
in a non-demented sample of older adults. Poster presentation at the 59th
Annual Scientific Meeting of the Gerontological Society of America, Dallas,
TX.

Hughes, T.F., Andel, R., Small, B.J., Borenstein, A.R., & Mortimer, J.A. (April,
2006). Social resources, health and cognitive performance in a populationbased
sample of older adults: The Charlotte County Healthy Aging Study. Poster presentation at The Cognitive Aging Conference, Atlanta, GA.

Hughes, T.F., Andel, R., Small, B.J., Borenstein, A.R., & Mortimer, J.A. (April,
2006). Social resources, health and cognitive performance in a populationbased
sample of older adults: The Charlotte County Healthy Aging Study.
Poster presentation at Epidemiology of Alzheimer’s Disease Scientific
Research Conference, San Diego, CA.

Hughes, T.F., Beilak, A.A.M., Small, B.J., & Dixon, R.A. (November, 2005).
Effects of lifestyle activities and cognitive reserve on level and variability of
cognitive speed. Poster presentation at the 58th Annual Scientific
Meeting of the Gerontological Society of America, Orlando, FL.

Beilak, A.A.M., Hughes, T.F., Small, B.J., & Dixon, R.A. (November, 2005).
Does an engaged lifestyle predict cognitive level and inconsistency 3 and 6
years later? Poster presentation at the 58th Annual Scientific
Meeting of the Gerontological Society of America, Orlando, FL.

Costa, D.A., Cracchiolo, J.R., Bachstetter, A.D., Hughes, T.F., Bales, K.R.,
Paul, S.M., Mervis, R.F., Arendash, G.W., Potter, H. (November, 2005).
Enriched housing improves cognition in AD mice by amyloid-related and
unrelated mechanisms. Poster presentation at the 35th Annual Meeting of
the Society for Neuroscience, Washington, D.C.

Hughes, T.F., Bielak, A., Small, B.J., & Dixon, R.A. (April, 2005). Lifestyle
activities, cognitive reserve, and intraindividual variability in cognitive
functioning. The USF College of Arts and Sciences Session of the Fourth
Annual Graduate Student Research Symposium. Tampa, FL.

Honors and Professional Activities

• Member, Gerontological Society of America, 2005-present
• University of South Florida Student Representative to the Gerontological Society of
  America, Fall 2006-present
• President, Student Associaiton for Aging Studies (SAAS), University
  of South Florida, Fall 2006-present
• Admission to Doctoral Candidacy with Distinction, Spring 2006
• Travel grant recipient, USF College of Arts and Sciences Social Sciences Session of
  the Fourth Annual Graduate Student Research Symposium, April 2005
• School of Aging Studies Fellowship, University of South Florida, 2004-2005
• Student Member, Psi Chi, 1999-2001, Treasurer, 2000-2001
• Graduation Honors, Allegheny College, magna cum laude
• Distinguished Alden Scholar, Allegheny College, achieved a GPA of 3.8 or better,
  1998-2001
• Alden Scholar, Allegheny College, achieved a GPA of 3.2 or better, 1997-1998

Professional Experience

• 2005-present Graduate Research Assistant, School of Aging Studies,
  University of South Florida, Tampa, FL
• 2005-present Research Scientist, Johnnie B. Byrd, Sr.
  Alzheimer's Center & Research Institute, Tampa, FL
  Summer 2005 Intern, The Memory Disorder Clinic
  of Sarasota Geriatrics at Sarasota Memorial Hospital,
  Sarasota, FL
• 2002-2005 Biological Scientist, University of South Florida,
  Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology
• 2001-2002 Research Technician, University of Pittsburgh,
  Department of Neurology
• Summer 2000 Summer Undergraduate Research Fellow,
  Mayo Alzheimer’s Disease Center,
  Mayo Clinic, Jacksonville, FL
  

Teaching Experience

• Spring 2007 GEY 2000, Introduction to Gerontology –Teaching Assistant,
  University of South Florida, School of Aging Studies
• Fall 2006 GEY 4612, Psychology of Aging –Teaching Assistant,
  University of South Florida, School of Aging Studies
• Summer 2006 GEY 4612, Psychology of Aging – Instructor, University of
  South Florida, School of Aging Studies
• Fall 2000 Health and Psychophysiology Teaching Assistant
  Allegheny College
• Fall 1999 Physiological Psychology Teaching Assistant
  Allegheny College