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Research To open the links on this page, you will need Adobe Reader
My research interests involve studying individuals with Williams syndrome, which is a genetic disorder which causes cognitive delay, a hypersociable personality, relative strengths in language and music, and significant delays in visuospatial and math abilities. My Ph.D. research involved comprehensive psychological testing and structural MRI imaging of individuals with Williams syndrome (and controls) and investigating the relationship between the cognitive, behavioral, and neuroanatomical features of this syndrome. My current research efforts are intervention based, such as investigating whether music can be used to enhance learning among these individuals. I am collaborating with a researcher in Cincinnati who is conducting fMRI and language studies and am also working with OSU researchers on two separate studies: How children with Williams syndrome use gestures to accompany their language and how math and spatial estimation skills develop in individuals with Williams syndrome. A list of my current publications and presentations follows:
Selected Publications: Behavioral, and Neuroanatomical Phenotype. Journal of Child Psychology and Psychiatry, 49(6), 576-608.
Martens, M.A., Jones, L., & Reiss, S. (2006). Organ transplantation, organ donation, and mental retardation. Pediatric Transplantation, 10, 658-664. (Manuscript in preparation) controls. Journal of the International Neuropsychological Society, 10, 162.
Selected Presentations:
Martens, M.A. (2008, July). Cognitive and behavioral profile of Australian individuals with Williams syndrome. Poster presentation at the International Professional Conference on Williams Syndrome, Garden Grove, CA.
Martens, M.A. (2008, July). Amygdala volume and sociability in Williams syndrome and normal controls. Poster presentation at the International Professional Conference on Williams Syndrome, Garden Grove, CA.
Martens, M.A. (2007, November). Exploring the mental health needs of individuals with Williams syndrome. Presentation at the Ohio State 5th Annual MH/MR Conference, Columbus, OH.
Martens, M.A. (2007, March). Effective strategies for reducing problem behaviors and increasing positive behavior among children with intellectual disabilities. Inservice given to the MR/DD Starlight School, Zanesville, OH.
Martens, M.A., & Hammer, D. (2006, November). Interpreting test results in special education evaluations. Presentation given to the Ohio Legal Services Association, Columbus, OH.
Martens, M.A. (2006, 2007, October). Psychosocial aspects of mental retardation and developmental disabilities. Presentation given to Leadership Education Excellence in Neurodevelopmental Disabilities (LEND) trainees, Columbus, OH.
Martens, M.A. (2006, September). Neurobiology of Williams syndrome: Insights from brain imaging. Presentation given to the MR/DD Research Forum, Columbus, OH.
Martens, M.A. (2006, March). Williams syndrome: Links between the brain, musicality, and sociability. Presentation given to the MR/DD Research Forum, Columbus, OH.
Martens, M.A. (2004, August). Williams syndrome: A beautiful mystery. Featured on "60 Minutes", Australia.
Martens, M.A. (2004, May). Links between brain structure, musicality, and sociability in Williams syndrome. Presentation at the Williams Syndrome Information Day, Melbourne, Australia.
Martens, M.A. (2004, May). Musicality and neuroanatomy in Williams syndrome. Presentation at the Musicality, Auditory Cognition, and Mind forum, Melbourne, Australia.
Martens, M.A.(2004, February). The amygdala and the development of sociability: Insights from Williams syndrome: Presentation at the International Neuropsychological Society Conference, Baltimore, MD.
Martens, M.A. (2003, August). Analysis of phenotypes in Williams syndrome. Presentation at the Genetics/Physiological Genomics Workshop, Melbourne, Australia.
Martens, M.A. (2002, September). Williams syndrome. Poster presentation at the Austin Hospital Research Week, Heidelberg, Australia.
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