Ajlina Karamehic-Muratovic

Curriculum Vitae - June 2009

3516 Cabernet Way Ct

St. Louis, MO 63129

Phone:       (314) 398-6666 (home) or (314) 877-6409 (work)

E-mail:      ajlinak@hotmail.com or ajlina.karamehic@mimh.edu

Education

Ph.D.Health Communication, University of Kentucky, Lexington, KY, December 2003

       Dissertation title: Sensation Seeking, Impulsive Decision Making, Attitude and

       Social Norms as Predictors of Risky Behavior Among Those Differing in

       Individualism and Collectivism.  Chair: Dr. Philip Palmgreen

MA                                          Communication, University of Kentucky, Lexington, KY, December 1999

BA                                           Communication, University of Kentucky, Lexington, KY, December 1999

Areas of Expertise

Health Communication, Research Methods, Nonparametric Statistics, Sample Survey Method, Regression Models,

ANOVA, International and Intercultural Communication, Drug Abuse Prevention, Culturally Appropriate

Healthcare and Communication, Message Design and Tailoring, Mass Communication, Social Marketing, Behavior

Change, Public Health Campaigns and Interventions.

Skills

-Statistical and data analysis skills using SPSS and SPSS AnswerTree

-Grant development and writing

-Experience with different stages of interventions and programs, including development, conducting formative

  research, evaluation and analyzing large and complex data sets

-Manuscript writing and publishing as well a literature reviews

-Experience in running focus groups, designing and pilot testing questionnaires, conducting survey research, and  

 hypothesis testing

-Extensive work with diverse and multicultural groups

-Ability to work independently on a self-directed basis and as part of a team 

-Demonstrated ability to manage multiple projects across interdisciplinary teams and interact effectively

Positions held

October 2006-present                              Research Assistant Professor, Missouri Institute of Mental Health, University of Missouri, Saint Louis, MO

June 2006-present                                  Adjunct Assistant Professor, Department of Research Methodology, Saint Louis University, Saint Louis, MO

January 2007-present                              Consultant, St. Anthony's Medical Center, Saint Louis, MO

January 2006-August 2006                      Assistant Professor, Health Communication Research Laboratory and Center of Excellence in Cancer Communication, School of Public Health, Saint Louis University, Saint Louis, MO

January 2004-December 2005                  Post-Doctoral Fellow, Health Communication Research Laboratory and Center of Excellence in Cancer Communication, School of Public Health, Saint Louis University, Saint Louis, MO

August 1999-December 2003                   Senior Research Assistant for "Effective Media Strategies for Drug Abuse Prevention" grant funded by National Institute of Drug Abuse, University of Kentucky, Lexington, KY

August 1999-December 2003                   Resident Manager, University Graduate and Family Housing, University of Kentucky, Lexington, KY

September 1999-December 1999              Intern in the media department, Meridian Communications, Lexington, KY

August 1999-December 1999                   Graduate Teaching Assistant, University of Kentucky, Department of Communication, Lexington, KY

Teaching experience

RMET 410        Introduction to Inferential Statistics. Survey of basic statistical methods including descriptive

statistics, z- and t- tests of means and proportions, chi-squared analyses, correlational and regression

analyses. Intended as possible terminal course for upper division undergraduates and as a background for graduate level course.

RMET 520        General Research Methods.  Survey of the techniques, methods and tools of research in the

behavioral sciences and social sciences. General discussion of the research process followed by

examination of several different study designs such as observational, experimental, descriptive and sample survey. Overview of different methods of data collection and analysis frequently used in research literature.

COM 101          Introduction to Communications. An introduction to the process of communication as a critical

element in human interaction and in society. Designed to enhance effective communication and informed use of the mass media.

Funded Research

Current

Dec 2008-         Principal Investigator, "Descriptive Study of Behavioral Health Factors among Bosnian Immigrants

                        in St. Louis, Missouri."  Funded by the Missouri Foundation for Health, $49,089. The overall goal of this study is to identify and describe the largely unknown behavioral health factors among Bosnian immigrants living in the St. Louis area.

2006-                Project Director, "Missouri Student Survey (MSS)." Funded by the Missouri Department of Mental Health, $190,860. The MSS analyzes data and prepares a report on a survey of several thousand school students across Missouri about their drug, school family and community-related attitudes and beliefs.

2008-2009         Co-Investigator/Content Specialist, "Data presentation website: Missouri Student Survey."  Funded by the Department of Mental Health, $30,472. The Missouri Student Survey 2008 data will be made accessible via the Web.

2008-May 2009  Co-Principal Investigator, "St. Louis Children's Hospital Needs Assessment."  Funded by the St.

Louis Children's Hospital, $25,000.  This project is a needs assessment of Child Health

Advocacy and Outreach (CHAO) at St. Louis Children's Hospital.

•2008-2012                  Project Director, "Hazelwood School District Safe Schools-Healthy Students Evaluation."  Funded

by the Hazelwood School District, $400,000.  This is a 4-year evaluation project of the HSD's Safe Schools-Healthy Students project.

Pending applications

In preparation    Consultant, "Comparison of Perceived Resilience of Older Americans and Older Bosnians Following Disaster Experiences," for $100,000 to National Institute of Nursing Research. The goal of this project is to identify what community dwelling older adults (Americans and Bosnians ?60 years) perceive as personal characteristics that enhance their adaptation to experienced disasters.

Past

•2006-2008                  Evaluation Coordinator, "Missouri Fetal Alcohol Syndrome Rural Awareness and Prevention

Project (MOFASSRAPP)" Funded by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). The focus of MOFASSRAPP is on reducing the prevalence of alcohol-exposed pregnancies and ultimately reducing the number of children with Fetal Alcohol Syndrome (FAS) in Missouri.

2007-2008         Principal Investigator, "How to Cope Evaluation." Funded by the Missouri Department of Mental

Health, $31,788. The goal of this project is to evaluate the How to Cope program designed to support families of substance abusers.

•2006-2008                  Co-Investigator, "Functional Fitness, Psychological Well-Being, and Intercultural Identity in

Cross-Cultural Adaptation: An Audience Segmentation Analysis of Bosnian Refugees in St. Louis, Missouri."  Funded by the Russell Sage Foundation, $111,654. The goal of this study is to examine how and why refugees in question adapt and adjust to their host environment.

•2007-2008                  Principal Investigator, "Improving Mental Health Treatment for Youth in the Juvenile Justice System" Evaluation. Funded by the Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention (OJJDP), $124,018.  The goal of this project is evaluate a program aiming to improve the outcome for children with mental health needs within or at risk of entering the juvenile justice system.

2007                 Principal Investigator, "Reducing Suicide and Suicidal Behavior among Bosnian Youth Aged 10-24 in St Louis."  Funded by the Department of Mental Health, $2,450. The overall goal of this project was to, through education and awareness, reduce suicide and suicidal behavior among Bosnian youth aged 10-24.  A Bosnian-language suicide prevention brochure was developed and disseminated throughout the local community.

•2006-2007                  Project manager and Bosnian liaison, "Reflections of You, Bosanska Zena and Mujer Latina breast cancer education kiosks for African American, Bosnian and Hispanic women in St. Louis."  Funded by the Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Foundation, Inc, $88,993.  This project provided breast cancer education that is personally relevant, culturally and linguistically appropriate, and easily accessible in community settings to 5,900 African American, Bosnian and Hispanic women in the St. Louis region.

2005-2006         Project Manager, "Breast cancer education kiosks in Spanish, Bosnian and for African American women."  Funded by the Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Foundation, Inc, $50,400. This project included continuing to offer breast cancer education kiosks to African American and Bosnian women in the St. Louis area, as well as development of the Spanish language version of the kiosk for the Hispanic population in the city.

•2004-2005               Content expert, "Reflections of You breast cancer education kiosks."  Funded by the Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Foundation, Inc, $126,675. This project included continuing to offer breast cancer education program to African American women in St. Louis, while at the same time expanding its reach to include Bosnian women in the area.

•1999-2003                  Senior Research Assistant, "Effective Media Strategies for Drug Abuse Prevention."  Funded by National Institute of Drug Abuse, $3.2 million.  This was a 6-year study of the Office of National Drug Control Policy's anti-marijuana campaign and my duties involved data management and analysis, as well as coordination with participating organizations.

Research and Publications

Published Journal Articles

Baker EA, Brownson RC, Dreisinger M, McIntosh LD and Karamehic A. (2009).  Examining the role of training in evidence-based public health: A qualitative study. Health Promotion Practice (to be published shortly).

Karamehic-Muratovic A, Cheah WH, Matsuo H, and Poljarevic A. (2009) Audience Segmentation of Bosnian Refugees Psychological Health.  International Journal of Interdisciplinary Social Sciences, 3(10).

Cohen EL, Vijaykumar S, Wray R and Karamehic-Muratovic A. (2008)  The Minimization of Public Health Risks in Newspapers After Hurricane Katrina. Communication Research Reports, 25(4), 266-281.

Cheah WH and Karamehic A. (2001) Applying theory to practice: Designing environmental messages using the concepts of sensation seeking and fear appeals.  Interdisciplinary Environmental Review, 4(2), 131-144.

Journal Articles Under Review

Cheah WH, Karamehic A, Matsuo H and Poljarevic A.  The role of communication in Bosnian refugees' resettlement

process: A pilot study. Under review in Journal of Intercultural Communication Research.

Matsuo H, McIntyre KP, Cheah WH and Karamehic A. Ambivalent Prejudice toward Immigrants: The Role of Social Contact and Ethnic Origin.  Under review in International Journal of Intercultural Relations.

Matsuo H, Karamehic-Muratovic A, Cheah WH and Poljarevic A. Life Satisfaction of the Bosnian Refugees in Saint Louis, Missouri. Under review in Journal of Community and Applied Social Psychology.

In-progress Journal Articles

Karamehic A, Booker AC, Deshpande A, Sugg Skinner C and Kreuter MW. Fruit and Vegetable consumption among African American women: Do cultural characteristics help identify sub-groups with greater and lesser consumption?

Karamehic A. Kreuter M and Dunn P. Breast Cancer Beliefs among Bosnian Refugee Women: A Qualitative Study.

Hoyle R, Duvall J and Karamehic A. Confluence of Impulsivity and Sensation Seeking in the High-Risk Personality Profile.  This paper is in process and is a part of Effective Media Strategies for Drug Abuse Prevention research grant.

Karamehic A and Palmgreen P. Sensation Seeking, Impulsive Decision-Making, Attitude and Social Norms as Predictors of Risky Behavior Among Those differing in Individualism and Collectivism.

Cheah WH, Karamehic-Muratovic A, Matsuo H and Poljarevic A. The impact of personality and environmental factors on Bosnian refugees' intercultural transformation in St. Louis, Missouri: A pilot study.

Matsuo H, Poljarevic A, Karamehic-Muratovic A and Cheah WH.  We did not choose to be here but we have to survive: Bosnians trying to find a niche in the U.S. 

Published Reviews

Cheah WH and Karamehic A.  (2005, June 22). Teaching Health Communication Using Case Studies: Practical and Effective [Review of the book Health Communication in Practice: A Case Study Approach]. PsycCRITIQUES-Contemporary Psychology: APA Review of Books, 50 (No. 25), Article 10.

Karamehic A. (2008, March 19). A practical guide to Learning about Health Promotion [Review of the book Understanding Health Promotion]. PsycCRITIQUES-Contemporary Psychology: APA Review of Books, 53 (No. 12, Article 4).  Retrieved [September 18, 2008], from the PsycCRITIQUES database.

Reports

Evans CJ, Karamehic-Muratovic A and Whitworth A. (2009).  An Evaluation of How To Cope Study 2.  Report prepared for Division of Alcohol and Drug Abuse, Department of Mental Health.

Evans CJ, Sale E, Breejen K, Karamehic-Muratovic A, McCudden S and Whitworth A. (2008). 2008 Missouri Student Survey.  Report prepared for the Missouri Department of Mental Health, Division of Alcohol and Drug Abuse, Jefferson City, MO.

Evans CJ, Sale E, Karamehic A, Breejen K, Whitworth A and McCudden S. (2007). 2006 Missouri Student Survey.  Report prepared for the Missouri Department of Mental Health, Division of Alcohol and Drug Abuse, Jefferson City, MO.

Evans CJ, Whitworth A, Karamehic A and Davenport A. (2007).  An Evaluation of How To Cope.  Report prepared for Division of Alcohol and Drug Abuse, Department of Mental Health.

Presentations and workshops

Scientific papers presented

Karamehic-Muratovic A and Palmgreen P.  Sensation Seeking, Impulsive Decision Making, Attitude and Social Norms as Predictors of Risky Behavior among Those Differing in Individualism and Collectivism.  Presented at the 2^nd Global Studies Conference, Dubai, United Arab Emirates, May 30-June 1, 2009.

Cheah WH, Karamehic-Muratovic A, Matsuo H and Poljarevic A. The Influence of Environmental Factors on Bosnian Refugees' Resettlement Process.  Presented at the 2^nd Global Studies Conference, Dubai, United Arab Emirates, May 30-June 1, 2009.

Matsuo H, McIntyre K, Karamehic-Muratovic A, Cheah WH, Willoughby L and Clements J.  Ambivalent Prejudice Towards Immigrants: The Role of Social Contact and Ethnic Origin. Web conference presentation at the Missouri Institute of Mental Health, St. Louis, MO, December 2008.

Karamehic-Muratovic A, Sale E and Evans C.  Substance Use, Problem Behaviors and Suicidal Ideation Among MO Youth.  Presented at the ACT Missouri: Unwrapping the Gifts of Prevention, Jefferson City, MO, December 2008.

McIntyre KP, Matsuo H, Cheah WH, Karamehic-Muratovic A and Poljarevic A. Cross-cultural adaption of Bosnian refugees in the U.S.: A pilot study. Presented at the Session on Immigration at the Annual Meeting of American Sociological Association, Boston, MA, August 2008.

Karamehic-Muratovic A, Cheah WH, Matsuo H and Poljarevic A.  Audience segmentation analysis of Bosnian Refugees' Psychological Health.  Presented at the 3^rd International Conference on Interdisciplinary Social Sciences, Tuscany, Italy, July 2008.

Karamehic-Muratovic A, Cheah WH, Matsuo H and Poljarevic A.  Host communication competence, host and ethnic social communication, and intercultural transformation of Bosnian refugees in St. Louis, Missouri: A pilot study. Web conference presentation at the Missouri Institute of Mental Health, St. Louis, MO, July 2008.

Tomazic TJ, Matsuo H, Cheah WH, Karamehic-Muratovic A and Poljarevic A. Cross-cultural adaptation of Bosnian Refugees in St. Louis Missouri: Methodological Considerations.  Presented at the International Conference on Survey Methods, Berlin, Germany, June 2008.

Cheah WH, Karamehic-Muratovic A, Matsuo H and Poljarevic A. Host communication competence, host and ethnic social communication, and intercultural transformation of Bosnian refugees in St. Louis, Missouri: A pilot study. Presented at the International Conference on Social Sciences, Honolulu, Hawaii. May 2008.

Matsuo H, Ruebelt S, Cheah WH, Karamehic-Muratovic A and Poljarevic A.  We did not choose to be here but we have to survive: Bosnians trying to find a niche in the U.S. Presented at the International Congress of Qualitative Inquiry, University of Urbana-Champaign, IL, May 2008.

Poljarevic A, Matsuo H and Karamehic-Muratovic A. Life satisfaction of the Bosnian refugees in St. Louis, Missouri.  Presented and awarded first place in the Social Sciences poster category at the 14th Annual Graduate Research Symposium at St. Louis University, St. Louis, MO, April 2008. 

Poljarevic A, Matsuo H, Ruebelt S, Cheah WH and Karamehic-Muratovic A.  We did not choose to be here but we have to survive: Bosnians trying to find a niche in the U.S.  Presented at the Missouri Association of Marriage and Family Therapy Annual Conference, St. Louis, MO, March 2008.

Karamehic A, Cheah WH, Poljarevic A and Matsuo H. Cross-cultural adaptation of Bosnian refugees in St. Louis: A segmentation analysis.  Invited presentation at the forum of "Prospects and Challenges of Integrating Immigrants and Refugees into the St. Louis Community," sponsored by the George Warren Brown School of Social Work of Washington University in St. Louis, March 2007. 

Karamehic A, Booker AC, Deshpande A and Kreuter MW. Fruit and Vegetable consumption among African American women: Do cultural characteristics help identify sub-groups with greater and lesser consumption? Presented at the 19^th National Conference on Chronic Disease Prevention and Control, Atlanta, GA, March, 2005.

Hoyle R, Duvall J and Karamehic A:  Synergistic Effects of Impulsivity and Sensation Seeking on Adolescent Substance Use.  Presented at the Society for Prevention Research 12^th Annual Meeting, Quebec City, Canada, May 2004.

Karamehic A, Booker AC, Deshpande A and Kreuter MW. Fruit and Vegetable consumption among African American women: Do cultural characteristics help identify sub-groups with greater and lesser consumption? Presented at the Cancer, Culture and Literacy 4^th Biennial Conference, Clearwater, FL, May, 2004.

Cheah WH and Karamehic A:  Applying theory to practice. Designing environmental messages using the concepts of sensation seeking and fear appeals.  Paper presented at the 8^th International Interdisciplinary Conference on the Environment, Toronto, Canada, June 2002.

Scientific papers accepted for presentation

Evans C, Sale E, Karamehic-Muratovic A and Breejen K.  The Relationship between Substance Use and Suicidal Ideation among Different Ethic Group Youth.  Submitted to the Fourth International Conference on Interdisciplinary Social Sciences, Athens, Greece, July 8-11, 2009.

Evans C, Sale E, Karamehic-Muratovic A and Breejen K.  Substance Use, Problem Behaviors and Suicidal Ideation among Missouri's Youth.  Submitted to the Fourth International Conference on Interdisciplinary Social Sciences, Athens, Greece, July 8-11, 2009.

Matsuo H, Redmount I, Cheah WH and Karamehic-Muratovic A.  Development of Linear Matrix Model: Application of Ecological Model for Longitudinal Study of Bosnian Refugees' Adaptation. Submitted to the Fourth International Conference on Interdisciplinary Social Sciences, Athens, Greece, July 8-11, 2009.

Cheah WH, Karamehic-Muratovic A, Matsuo H and Poljarevic A. The Impact of Personality Factors on Bosnian Refugees' Resettlement Process.  Submitted to the Fourth International Conference on Interdisciplinary Social Sciences, University of Athens, Greece, July 8-11, 2009.

Scientific papers submitted

Breejen K, Karamehic-Muratovic A, Evans C and Sale E.  Demographic Profiling of Inhalant Users in Missouri and the Varying Influence of Family Risk and Protective Factors.  Submitted to the Office of Safe and Drug-Free Schools National Conference, Gaylord National Resort and Conference Center, Washington DC, August 3-5, 2009.

Invited talks and workshops

Dugan M and Karamehic-Muratovic A.  Healthy Balance in Missouri. Presented to The Missouri Advisory Commission on Alcohol and Other Drug Abuse: Women and Their Families (MAW), Joplin, MO, August 2008.

Karamehic-Muratovic A. A Tour of Dubai. Presented to the members of the Concord Trinity United Church, St. Louis, MO, February 2008 and September 2008.

Karamehic A.  Bosnia: History and culture workshop. An ongoing training program to the St. Anthony's Medical Center staff, St. Louis, MO, January 2007-present.

Karamehic A. Are you culturally competent? Presented to the members of the Concord Trinity United Church, St. Louis, MO, March 2006.

Karamehic A. Bosnia: History and culture. Presented to the members of the Concord Trinity United Church, St. Louis, MO, September 2005.

Karamehic A.  Bosnian cultural trainer, Harmony in Life's Multicultural Training Program, funded by the Missouri Foundation for Health, St Louis, MO, March 2005-present.

Anyaegbunam C, Hertog J, Cheah WH, Karamehic A.  Cultural and linguistic competency in the health care system.  Presented to the Family Practice Conference Program, Department of Family Practice, Chandler Medial Center, Lexington, KY, February 2002.

Anyaegbunam C, Hertog J, Cheah WH, Karamehic A. Providing culturally and linguistically appropriate service in health care.  Presented at the "Cultural Competence, Preparing for Cultural Transformation: Health Care in Our Evolving Society" continuing education program, Lexington, KY, August 2001.

Workshop and training participation

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention CHOICES Intervention Pilot Training May 2008.

National Cancer Institute's eHealth Express Desktop Workshop Series: Express Grant Writing, June 2004.

Time/Life Management, Saint Louis University, November 2004.

Professional Service

Reviews

July 2004, September 2005         Reviewer for student papers for Department of Communication, University of Kentucky, Lexington, KY

Journals reviewed for

Intercultural Communication: The Journal of International Communication

Health Communication

Journal of International Communication

Service

2007                 Evaluator, "Family Team," EnTeam, St. Louis, MO.

Awards/Scholarships

2007                 Participant, "Grant Writing Institute," University of Missouri, Columbia, MO.

2005                 Fellow, "Cancer, Culture and Literacy Institute," Moffitt Cancer Center, Tampa, FL. The Institute is a series of educational activities, which examine the nexus of culture and literacy relating to effective communications and research.  This yearlong peer-reviewed and competitive NCI funded project (R25CA90654) included a five-day hands-on intensive learning experience, participation in 10 monthly web-based modules and a mentoring experience (Mentor: Rena J. Pasick, Ph.D.)

2002                 Bruce Westley Memorial Graduate Scholarship Award, University of Kentucky, Lexington, KY

1999-2000         Academic Excellence Scholarship, University of Kentucky, Lexington, KY

1996-1998         Dean's List, University of Kentucky, Lexington, KY

Personal

3516 Cabernet Way Ct

Saint Louis, MO 63129

(314) 398-6666

ajlinak@hotmail.com or ajlina.karamehic@mimh.edu

Date of Birth: December 12, 1976, Sarajevo, Bosnia and Herzegovina

Languages:  Fluent in Bosnian and English language. Write, read and speak some Arabic.

References:

Philip Palmgreen, Ph.D.                                                 Matthew Kreuter, Ph.D.

University of Kentucky                                                   Saint Louis University

College of Communications and Information Studies         Health Communication Research Laboratory

Lexington, KY 40506                                                     Saint Louis, MO 63104                          

(859) 257-7801                                                              (314) 977-8132

mailto:pcpalm1@pop.uky.edu                                                          kreuter@slu.edu

Douglas Boyd, Ph.D.                                                      Derek Lane, Ph.D

University of Kentucky                                                   University of Kentucky

College of Communications and Information Studies         College of Communications and Information Studies

(859) 257-3369                                                              (859) 257-4651

Office of International Affairs                                         Lexington, KY 40506

(859) 323-1026                                                              drlane@uky.edu

Lexington, KY 40506

boyd@uky.edu