Melissa Fisher
,

Credentials

PhD

Associate Professor

Biography

Bio

I received my BA in Psychology from the University of California, Los Angeles, an MA in Psychological Research from San Francisco State University, and a PhD in Clinical Psychology from the California School of Professional Psychology, San Francisco. I completed pre-doctoral training at the Defense and Veterans Head Injury Program, VA Palo Alto Health Care System, in Neuropsychology Services at the Northport VA Medical Center, and a postdoctoral fellowship in schizophrenia research at the San Francisco VA Medical Center.

I am an adult research psychologist whose primary research focus is on the evaluation of neurocognition, clinical symptoms, and functional outcomes of individuals with psychosis, and the effects of neuroscience-informed cognitive training exercises. Within the department, I am Director of Assessment for the Vinogradov Lab where I provide training and supervision of behavioral assessments for studies of cognitive training and measurement-based care.

Expertise

Psychosis

Administrative Assistant

(for academic support only)
Teneshia Collins
coll1148@umn.edu

Research Summary

Dr. Fisher's main research area centers around assessing neurocognition, clinical manifestations, and the practical results observed in individuals with psychosis. Additionally, she explores the impacts of cognitive training exercises rooted in neuroscience. Within the department, Dr. Fisher holds the role of Director of Assessment for the Vinogradov Lab. In this capacity, she offers guidance and oversight for behavioral assessments linked to cognitive training studies and measurement-driven care.

Clinical Summary

Dr. Fisher's clinical interests include the effects of cognitive training and assessments delivered remotely; the implementation of measurement-based care and cognitive training in clinics that specialize in early intervention services for individuals with psychosis; clinics that provide specialized care for pregnant women and mothers with and without emotional distress; and the development of cognitive assessments that have relevance to the unique challenges and performance metrics of military populations.

Education

MA, San Francisco State University

Major: Psychological Research

PhD, California School of Professional Psychology

Major: Clinical Psychology

BA, University of California, Los Angeles

Major: Psychology

Fellowships, Residencies, and Visiting Engagements

Psychology, Practicum,

OMI Family Center

Internship,

Northport VA Medical Center

Practicum,

San Francisco VA Medical Center, Mental Outpatient Services

Post-Doctoral Fellowship,

San Francisco VA Medical Center

Professional Memberships

Schizophrenia International Research Society

Cognitive Neuroscience Society

Selected Publications

Jia, Y., Hinkley, L., Fisher, M., Vinogradov, S., Nagarajan, S., Subramaniam, K., 2022. Abnormal Information Flow in Schizophrenia Is Linked to Psychosis. Schizophr Bull, 46 (6): 1384-1393.

doi: https://doi.org/10.1093/schbul/sbac075 PubMed ID: 36073155.

Scoriels, L., Genaro, L. T., Keffer, S., Guimarães, A. L., Barros-Dumas, B., Mororó, L. G., Biagioni, T., Lucena, C., da Hora, T. R., Sahakian, B. J., Fisher, M., Vinogradov, S., Panizzutti, R., 2022. Changes in emotion processing and social cognition with auditory versus visual neuroscience-informed cognitive training in individuals with schizophrenia. Schizophr Res, 241 267-274.

doi: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.schres.2022.02.013 PubMed ID: 35182906.

Loewy, R., Fisher*, M., Ma, S., Carter, C., Ragland, J. D., Niendam, T. A., Stuart, B., Schlosser, D., Amirfathi, F., Yohannes, S., Vinogradov, S., 2022. Durable Cognitive Gains and Symptom Improvement Are Observed in Individuals With Recent-Onset Schizophrenia 6 Months After a Randomized Trial of Auditory Training Completed Remotely. SCHIZOPHRENIA BULLETIN, 48 (1): 262-272.

doi: https://doi.org/10.1093/schbul/sbab102

Kambeitz-Ilankovic, L., Vinogradov, S., Wenzel, J., Fisher, M., Haas, S. S., Betz, L., Penzel, N., Nagarajan, S., Koutsouleris, N., Subramaniam, K., 2021. Multivariate pattern analysis of brain structure predicts functional outcome after auditory-based cognitive training interventions. NPJ SCHIZOPHRENIA, 7 (1):

doi: https://doi.org/10.1038/s41537-021-00165-0

Ramsay, I. S., Fryer, S., Roach, B. J., Boos, A., Fisher, M., Loewy, R., Ford, J. M., Vinogradov, S., Mathalon, D. H., 2021. Testing a Novel Web-Based Neurocognitive Battery in the General Community: Validation and Usability Study. JOURNAL OF MEDICAL INTERNET RESEARCH, 312

doi: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.pscychresns.2021.111285

Nahum, M., Lee, H., Fisher, M., Green, M. F., Hooker, Christine, I, Ventura, J., Jordan, J. T., Rose, A., Kim, S.-J., Haut, K. M., Merzenich, M. M., Vinogradov, S., 2021. Online Social Cognition Training in Schizophrenia: A Double-Blind, Randomized, Controlled Multi-Site Clinical Trial. SCHIZOPHRENIA BULLETIN, 47 (1): 108-117.

doi: https://doi.org/10.1093/schbul/sbaa085

Scoriels, L., Genaro, L. T., Mororo, Luana G. C., Keffer, S., Guimaraes, Anna Luiza D., V, Ribeiro, Paulo V. S., Tannos, F. M., Novaes, C., Franca, Aniela, I, Goldenstein, N., Sahakian, B. J., Cavalcanti, M. T., Fisher, M., Vinogradov, S., Panizzutti, R., 2020. Auditory versus visual neuroscience-informed cognitive training in schizophrenia: Effects on cognition, symptoms and quality of life. Schizophrenia Research, 222 319-326.

doi: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.schres.2020.05.017

Ramsay, I. S., Schallmo, M.-P., Biagianti, B., Fisher, M., Vinogradov, S., Sponheim, S. R., 2020. Deficits in Auditory and Visual Sensory Discrimination Reflect a Genetic Liability for Psychosis and Predict Disruptions in Global Cognitive Functioning. FRONTIERS IN PSYCHIATRY, 11

doi: https://doi.org/10.3389/fpsyt.2020.00638

Rowlands, A., Fisher, M., Mishra, J., Nahum, M., Brandrett, B., Reinke, M., Caldwell, M., Kiehl, K. A., Vinogradov, S., 2020. Cognitive Training for Very High Risk Incarcerated Adolescent Males. FRONTIERS IN PSYCHIATRY, 11

doi: https://doi.org/10.3389/fpsyt.2020.00225

Ramsay, I. S., Fryer, S., Roach, B. J., Boos, A., Fisher, M., Loewy, R., Ford, J. M., Vinogradov, S., Mathalon, D. H., 2021. Response to targeted cognitive training may be neuroprotective in patients with early schizophrenia. PSYCHIATRY RESEARCH-NEUROIMAGING, 312