Strategic Plan | Org. Structure | Newsletters | Code of Ethics | Diversity Policy | Position Statements | FAQs | Terms of Use

ABAI Portal


Use the ABAI Portal to access ABAI's services, including START, the membership directory, and the on-line store.


34th Annual ABA Convention: Professional Development Series

When: May 23-27, 2008
Where: Hilton Chicago

The professional development series, an initiave of the Student Committee, is created to help ABA student membership grow professionally. All convention attendees are welcome.

In order to facilitate the development of a program that meets the wants of the student membership, the Committee invites suggestions for upcoming conference events and presentations. If you would like for your voice to be heard, or to take an active part in the preparation and presentation of next year's convention, you can contact any current student representatives via e-mail from the Student Committee page. We will be happy to listen to your suggestions and always welcome volunteers to assist with the conference events.

Advice from the Recently Hired

Chair: Robert C. Pennington (University of Kentucky)

Saturday, May 24; 1:00 p.m.

Presenters from a variety of different educational backgrounds and professional domains will provide information and advice on making the transition from graduate school to the professional community. Attendees will be encouraged to ask questions and participate in the discussion.Members of this panel will provide information and advice on making the transition from graduate student to member of the professional community. Panelists represent a variety of different educational backgrounds and professional domains.

Conversation Hour with Prominent Women in Behavior Analysis

Chair: Kendra L. Rickard (University of Nevada, Reno - Center for Advanced Learning)

Saturday, May 24; 2:30 p.m.

Prominent women in Behavior Analysis will discuss their experiences in the field, challenges and achievements, and invite questions from attendees.

How to Give Effective Oral Presentations

Chair: Kristen Alyssa Rost (Queens College)

Saturday, May 24; 7:30 p.m.

Presenters will give advice on giving effective oral presentations – what to avoid, personal tips. The audience will be invited to ask questions and hold discussions with the panel members.

Research in Non-University Settings

Chair: Ruth M. DeBar (The Ohio State University)

Sunday, May 25; 3:00 p.m.

Presenters from four agencies will discuss their research in non-university settings. Attendees will be invited to ask questions and join in the discussion.

Applying for Post-Doctoral Positions

Chair: Aaron D. Lesser (KennedyKrieger Institute)

Sunday, May 25; 4:30 p.m.

For many students, the next step after obtaining a Ph.D. is a post-doctoral position. Presenters will speak from several perspectives on preparing for and completing post-doctoral fellowships.

Introduction to the Behavioral Pharmacology of Drugs that Act on Opioid and Dopamine Receptors

Chair: Corina Jimenez-Gomez (Utah State University)

Sunday, May 25; 7:00 p.m.

Four opioid receptors and five dopamine receptors have been described thus far. Drugs that act on the individual receptors within each class have sometimes similar and sometimes different behavioral effects. The underlying principles of drug-receptor interactions are clearly supported in both of these systems, but agonist-antagonist interactions are interestingly different in these two systems - or are they? Attendees will learn something of the history of behavioral pharmacology using drugs that act on these receptors; how behavioral pharmacology can support drug-classification schemes; what can be learned about agonist and antagonist interactions using behavior as an endpoint; how drugs that act on these receptors compare as stimuli, and what is necessary for better understanding of drug-behavior interactions in the future.

Bridging the Gap between Basic and Applied Research – The Matching Law

Chair: Corina Jimenez-Gomez (Utah State University)

Sunday, May 25; 8:00 p.m.

Although ABA members share a common interest in understanding behavior, we have a wide range of backgrounds. Therefore, we often find ourselves disconnected from current developments within our field. The purpose of this event is to explore current research in an area of behavior analysis from basic and applied perspectives and provide a venue for attendees to learn about research they typically may not contact. In this year’s “Bridging the Gap” event, presenters will discuss applications of the matching law.

Aspects on Being a Board Certified Behavior Analyst

Chair: Jennifer Sweeney ( Columbus Children's Hospital Autism Center/Kent St)

Monday, May 26; 1:30 p.m.

As our field continues to grow and expand into many more applied areas, it is becoming increasingly important for practitioners to be held to professional standards. Presenters will discuss some of the important aspects of becoming a Board Certified Behavior Analyst.

Perspectives on the Future of Behavior Analysis

Chair: Erick M. Dubuque (University of Nevada, Reno)

Monday, May 26; 3:00 p.m.

As behavior analysis continues to grow, it is important to understand where the field is headed. To encourage dialogues on the development of the field, this panel will discuss the history of the field, current research and application trends, and the directions that the panel members feel are most important for the continued evolution of the field.

How to Obtain Grant Funding

Chair: Timothy C. Fuller (University of Nevada, Reno)

Monday, May 26; 4:00 p.m.

There are a variety of funding options available for students. Presenters will discuss how to search for funding sources, how to write a successful grant proposal, and how to manage funding. Presenters will give recommendations and advice drawn from their experience for being successful in the grant writing process.

Introduction to Direct Instruction for Behavior Analysts

Chair: Nicole C. Groskreutz (Utah State University)

Monday, May 26; 7:30 p.m.

Dr. Timothy A. Slocum (Utah State University)

Direct Instruction is a systematic and comprehensive approach to academic instruction. Direct Instruction is based on both Behavior Analysis and on logical analyses of communication and knowledge systems. As such, Direct Instruction provides an example of how behavioral principles, strategies, and tactics can be arranged to create broad and comprehensive programs of academic instruction that produce large and complex repertoires in learners. In addition, the fact that Direct Instruction also draws upon logical analyses of communication and structural analyses of knowledge systems provides examples of how Behavior Analysis contacts other areas. The centerpiece of Direct Instruction is teaching for generalization under precise stimulus control. Direct Instruction programs feature integration of rule-governed and contingency-shaped behavior, and systematically build relational responding. Thus, Direct Instruction is important for behavior analysts involved with teaching complex repertoires to virtually any learners. The effectiveness of Direct Instruction programs is supported by a large and varied research base.

Return to Student Committee Information