Introduction

Faulkner alumna fights Alzheimer's, epilepsy with psychology degree

Faulkner alumna fights Alzheimer's, epilepsy with psychology degree

Distinguished Alumna Amanda Eakin, right, stands with professor Joan Waters, Ph.D.
Distinguished Alumna Amanda Eakin, right, stands with professor Joan Waters, Ph.D.

Amanda Eakin has done much to combat the effects of Alzheimer’s and other forms of dementia during her time at the UAB Neuropsychology Department. She began working there in 2013 after graduating from Faulkner in 2007. She earned a Bachelor of Science degree in psychology and continued her education at Auburn University Montgomery to earn her Master’s in clinical psychology in 2012.

While at UAB, she served as the coordinator of a brain-metastasis study funded by the American Cancer Society, co-authored four journal publications and helped develop a new cognitive test for nationwide research study.

In November 2016, she began working at Emory University with Dr. Daniel Drane’s team in the Neuropsychology Department doing research involving laser ablation for individuals with epilepsy. The next project her team will be involved in is creating virtual reality testing to tap into nonverbal language skills.

She was awarded the Distinguished Alumna honor for the College of Arts and Sciences’s Social and Behavioral Science at this year’s Homecoming Weekend.