"The American Mosque: Design, Use and Symbolism"

Abstact: While it is very well documented that Islam was in practice in the United States before the American Civil War, there is a lack of studies pertaining to American Muslim physical environments, specifically the mosque environment from an environmental behavioral perspective. The scarce literature that started to emerge decades after the 1963 ratification of the immigration laws revolved around the art and architectural contexts (built environment) while the behavioral studies remained almost negligible. Various authors have addressed profusely the art and architectural contexts of the mosque while the behavioral and semantic contexts remained unexplored. Hence, the purpose of this research is: (a) to identify the meanings associated with the resulting spatial composition as pertaining to the social, psychological, and cultural contexts, and (c) to identify the spatial consequences of adaptation to the host environment.
     Because of the heterogeneity of the American mosque, thirteen mosques were selected from three states—Michigan, Illinois and Texas—that included existing and custom built structures, sizes, and locations. Two data collection techniques were used: 1) open-ended interviews, and 2) physical surveys that holistically provided cross data validity checks. During the open-ended interview sessions, whereby an interview guide was used, thirteen community leaders, imams, or members of the boards of trustees were interviewed in the mosque in spaces of their choice. Data were analyzed using open coding.
     Data analysis, specifically the process of categorizing phenomena, whereby a taxonomy was used, resulted in several themes: a) importance of the socio-cultural and psychological dimensions, b) semiotic intricacies, c) symbolism of the built environment, and d) synchronism and diachronism of the mosque. These themes were allowed to emerge and took the central stage of the present exploration.

"Case Studies in Financial Counseling"

Abstact: Case Studies in Financial Counseling is an instructional DVD designed to facilitate problem-based learning on how to work with couples and individuals who are struggling with the emotional and financial aspects of their lives. Developed in summer 2005, the goal of this collaborative project was to develop media appropriate to present to financial counseling/planning and other mental health professionals true-to-life counseling vignettes to assist in teaching and continuing education training. The vignettes are designed to stimulate student and instructor discussion and a facilitator s guide accompanies the DVD for reference by educators and practitioners to reinforce the content of the vignettes.

"The Renovation of a 1974 Contemporary Home"

Abstact: The Renovation of a 1974 COntemporary Home Client: 2 Professors w/3 children Problem: Home built in 1974 had never been renovated or touched, purchased in 1974 origional condition. Inspiration: Researched cutting edge designers of the 1974 period and took cues for a solution along with program needs of the client. Solution: Using the best of 1974 & making it appropriate for today w/2006 colors & furnishings.

"Case Studies in Financial Counseling"

Abstact: Case Studies in Financial Counseling is an instructional DVD designed to facilitate problem-based learning on how to work with couples and individuals who are struggling with the emotional and financial aspects of their lives. Developed in summer 2005, the goal of this collaborative project was to develop media appropriate to present to financial counseling/planning and other mental health professionals true-to-life counseling vignettes to assist in teaching and continuing education training. The vignettes are designed to stimulate student and instructor discussion and a facilitator s guide accompanies the DVD for reference by educators and practitioners to reinforce the content of the vignettes.

"Mathematically Gifted Male Adolescents Activate a Unique Brain Network During Mental Rotation"

Abstact: Mental rotation involves the creation and manipulation of internal images, with the later being particularly useful cognitive capacities when applied to high-level mathematical thinking and reasoning. Many neuroimaging studies have demonstrated mental rotation to be mediated primarily by the parietal lobes, particularly on the right side. In this study we use fMRI to show for the first time, that when performing 3-D mental rotations, mathematically gifted male adolescents engage a qualitatively different brain network than those of average math ability, one that involves bilateral activation of the parietal lobes and frontal cortex, along with heightened activation of the anterior cingulate. Reliance on the processing characteristics of this uniquely bilateral system and the interplay of these anterior/posterior regions may be significant contributors to their mathematical precocity.

"Differences in Self-report Measures by Adolescent Sex Offender Risk Groups," International Journal of Offender Therapy and Comparative Criminology, 49: 82-106.

Abstact: Differences in characteristics among three groups of juvenile sex offenders were examined. Risk was defined as the sum of the following variables: type of offense (violent or not), and presence/absence of prior histories of a sex offense, family or own sexual or substance abuse, behavior problems, and unstable home life. Low-risk (0-2 risk factors), medium-risk (3), and high-risk (4-6) offender groups were formed. The high-risk group reported less family cohesion, more aggression, lower self-esteem, more social discomfort, and more frequent and extreme sexual fantasies. Implications of these findings for identification of and interventions with adolescent sex offenders are discussed.

"Differences in Self-report Measures by Adolescent Sex Offender Risk Groups," International Journal of Offender Therapy and Comparative Criminology, 49: 82-106.

Abstact: Differences in characteristics among three groups of juvenile sex offenders were examined. Risk was defined as the sum of the following variables: type of offense (violent or not), and presence/absence of prior histories of a sex offense, family or own sexual or substance abuse, behavior problems, and unstable home life. Low-risk (0-2 risk factors), medium-risk (3), and high-risk (4-6) offender groups were formed. The high-risk group reported less family cohesion, more aggression, lower self-esteem, more social discomfort, and more frequent and extreme sexual fantasies. Implications of these findings for identification of and interventions with adolescent sex offenders are discussed.