Rebecca A. Zarate, PhD, MA, MEd
Education
Doctorate in Quantitative Methods Jan. 2021-May 2024
Dissertation: Conditional Autoregressive Models: Implications for Inference
University of Texas at Austin, Austin, TX
GPA: 4.0
Master of Education in Quantitative Methods Aug. 2018-Dec. 2020
University of Texas at Austin, Austin, TX
GPA: 3.9
Master of Art in Clinical Psychology Jan. 2008-May 2010
University of Texas-Pan American, Edinburg, TX
Thesis: “Does the Manipulation of a Canine Tail Aid in Extinguishing Phobic Behavior?”
GPA: 4.0
Bachelor of Science in Biology and Psychology July 2004-Dec. 2007
University of Texas-Pan American, Edinburg, TX
GPA: 3.8 Magna Cum Laude, Rank: 17/806
Teaching Experience
Assistant Professor of Instruction, Psychology Department
The University of Texas at Austin, Austin, TX Fall 2024-current
Course Coordinator for PSY301 Introduction to Psychology,
a synchronous massive online course (~1,200 students)
Assistant Professor of Instruction, Educational Psychology Department
The University of Texas at Austin, Austin, TX Fall 2024
EDP308: Statistical Literacy (web-based)
Assistant Instructor of Educational Psychology
The University of Texas at Austin, Austin, TX Fall 2019-May 2024
EDP308: Statistical Literacy
EDP308: Statistical Literacy (web-based)
A quantitative reasoning flag course focused on real work application and problem solving with critical thinking and the statistical software R
Entire course is available online with prerecorded lectures and materials
Presenter for ENHANCE: Environmental Health Analysis Curriculum and Experience
Dell Medical School, The University of Texas at Austin, Austin, TX Summer 2022
A short form course to provide an introduction to environmental health sciences
Lecturer of Communication Sciences and Disorders
The University of Texas at Austin, Austin, TX Fall 2016-2017
CND386: Research Methods in Comm/Sci Disorders
Audiology (AuD) students, graduate course
CND393: Measurements in Comm/Sci Disorders
Speech Language Pathology (SLP) students, graduate course
Adjunct Faculty of Psychology
St. Edward’s University, Austin, TX Jan. 2017-2018
PSYC-3383: Experimental Psychology
PSYC-4343: Independent Research
Faculty advisor to six students conducting research projects
approved by the Institutional Review Board
PSYC-4348: Learning and Cognition
Park University, Austin, TX Aug. 2013- May 2015
PS121: Human Growth and Development
PS309: Human Sexuality
PS383: Applied Behavior Analysis
PS401: Abnormal Psychology
PS402: Current Psychotherapies
PS408: Cognitive Psychology
SO220: Ethics in Social Science Research
SO206: Social Issues in Contemporary Society
SO300: Research Methods
University of Texas-Pan American (UT-RGV), Edinburg, TX Aug. 2010-Dec. 2010
PSYC-2222: Psychometric Testing in Psychology
Instructor of Cognitive Psychology
Johns Hopkins Center for Talented Youth Program June 2016, 2017
COGN: Cognitive Psychology, Seattle, WA and San Rafael, CA
Three week intensive residential course for gifted and
talented youth, ages 12-16
Teaching Assistant
The University of Texas at Austin, Austin, TX Spring 2018
EDP 371: Introduction to Statistics
The University of Texas at Austin, Austin, TX Spring 2015, 2016
PS341K: Electrophysiology of the Human Mind
The University of Texas Pan American, Edinburg, TX Spring 2009
PSYC: 6325 Conditioning and Learning
Guest Lecturer
The University of Texas at Austin, Austin, TX Aug. 2015
PS341K-8 Learning and the Brain
“The Principles of Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) and Autism”
Publications
ISEE Conference Abstracts
Zichuan Li, Rebecca A. Zarate, Sophia Carryl, Alexia Leclercq, Susan Balcer Whaley, Darlene Bhavnani, Elizabeth J. Mueller, Elizabeth Samuels, Elizabeth Matsui, and Adam L. Haber
Neighborhood-level variability in asthma-related emergency department visits
in Central Texas Oct.2021/June 2024
The Journal of Allergy and Clinical Immunology
Rebecca A. Zárate, Darlene Bhavnani, Sarah Chambliss, Emily M. Hall,Corwin Zigler, Catherine Cubbin, Mathrew Wilkinson, Elizabeth C. Matsui
Retracted in 2023 due to a larger scale data error uncovered the following year by our research group. We discovered a major medical facility in the Travis County area incorrectly misclassified Latinx children and Non-Latinx White, dramatically skewing the results. The manuscript was revised and accepted.
Conference: American Thoracic Society 2024 International
Trish Parekh, Peter Dunphy, Emily Hall, Sarah Chambliss, Rebecca A Zárate, MT Dransfield,
Paul J Rathouz, and Elizabeth C Matsui
Do upper respiratory viruses contribute to racial and ethnic disparities in
emergency department visits for asthma? March, 2023
The Journal of Allergy and Clinical Immunology
Darlene Bhavnani, Matthew Wilkinson, Rebecca A Zárate, Susan Balcer-Whaley, Daniel S W
Katz, Paul J Rathouz, Elizabeth C Matsui
The Role of Neighborhood Air Pollution in Disparate Racial and Ethnic Asthma Acute Care Use March, 2024
American Journal of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine
Sarah Chambliss, Elizabeth C Matsui , Rebecca A Zárate, Corwin Zigler
Conference Presentations
Poster Presentation (Virtual)
“The Burden of Asthma in Travis County, Texas” March, 2020
The American Academy of Allergy, Asthma, & Immunology (AAAAI)
Rebecca A. Zarate, Corwin Zigler, Elizabeth C. Matsui
Research Experience
Graduate Research Assistant and Data Manager
“Understanding the burden of asthma among residents of Travis County,
an in-depth epidemiologic assessment” Jan. 2019- June 2024
Dept. of Population Health and Pediatrics, UT-Dell Medical School
Analyzing Texas Health Care Information Collection (THCIC) data
related to asthma hospitalizations and outpatient visits with
Dr. Elizabeth Matsui
Independent Research
Performance of Log Response Ratio with Autocorrelated Data Summer 2019
Dept. of Educational Psychology, University of Texas at Austin
Assessing the performance of the log response ratio through
through simulations with Dr. James Pustejovsky
Principal Investigator
“The Fidgeting Assessment Battery” Aug. 2016- Current
Dept. of Communication Sciences and Disorders, University of Texas at Austin
Creating a scale to assess fidgeting behavior
Research Lab Coordinator
“Brain Stimulation and Electrophysiology Lab” Jan. 2013- June 2015
University of Texas at Austin and Seton Healthcare Family, Austin, TX
Assisted PI in developing experimental, IRB, and grant protocols for various electrophysiological projects in conjunction with affiliated hospitals (Seton and St. David). Organize and maintain records. Create experimental stimuli. Serve as a liaison between the PI, colleagues, and students.
Graduate Thesis Project May 2010
“Does the Manipulation of a Canine Tail Aid in Extinguishing Phobic Behavior?”
University of Texas-Pan American, Edinburg, TX
Conducted a multiple baseline regression with embedded reversal design to test the effect of proprioception manipulation on canines exhibiting submissive behavior. An ethogram was used to measure the rate of behavior. Intervention consisted of a custom posterior tail harness I developed which was funded by the Psychology Graduate Department.
Behavioral Neuroscience Research Teaching Assistant June 2009-May 2010
University of Texas-Pan American, Edinburg, TX
Taught lab for a graduate course, Concepts and Principles of Behavioral Analysis (Skinner box training) and maintained lab which included duties in animal husbandry and maintenance of OSHA, USDA, and IACUC standards.
Additional Skills
Programming:
R for Data Science and R Studio, Python and Pythonista (iOS platform)
Teaching:
Final Cut Pro Editing, Curriculum Development (from start to finish), Coding Tutorials
Statistical:
Spatial Statistics, Monte Carlo simulations (MCMC), Bayesian Inference
Service
Faculty Woman’s Organization, Social and Networking Committee Fall 2023- Fall 2024
A community of women scholars that gives a space to interact and network with other women faculty and professional staff on campus through panels, talks and social events.
Student Engagement Learning Community Fall 2022- Spring 2023
A committee of educators at the University of Texas at Austin tasked with
understanding and enhancing student engagement after COVID-19,
awarded $1,000 in professional development funds
Graduate Student Representative to the Undergraduate Studies
Quantitative Reasoning Flag Committee Jan. 2021-Aug. 2022
Serve as the graduate student representative reviewing proposals for quantitative
reasoning courses and revisions for the University of Texas at Austin
College of Education Graduate Student Council Representative July 2020-July2021
Serve as the graduate student representative for the Quantitative Methods program
working on initiatives and resources to support graduate students
College of Education COEmmunity Connect July 2020-July 2021
Volunteer for a program started by the Graduate Student Council to connect
with and support incoming graduate students
Awards
D&A Accessibility Champion Award Spring 2023
Nominated by a former student as an Accessibility Champion for “demonstrating
commitment to fostering an accessible, inclusive, and welcoming campus
for students with disabilities”
Alexander Caswell Ellis Fellowship in Education Fall 2022-Spring 2023
Awarded $3,000
Teresa Lozano Long Fellowship Fall 2021-Spring 2022
Board of Regents of The University of Texas System for the benefit of the College of Education
Awarded $1,300
Educational Psychology Department’s Nominee for William S. Livingston
Outstanding Graduate Student Academic Employee Award Dec. 2020
Campus wide teaching award for graduate instructors
University of Texas at Austin: New Texas Scholars Award Fall 2020-Spring 2021
Awarded $20,100 fellowship for graduate school (PhD)
University of Texas at Austin: Professional Development Award July 2020
Awarded $100
University of Texas at Austin: Graduate Student Teaching Award March 6, 2020
Awarded $100 Speaker at the Graduate Teaching Showcase
Best Research Potential Award: Hack for Resilient Communities Aug. 2018-2019
Event using public data sets to develop research proposal in six hours
Awarded $50
University of Texas at Austin: South Texas Scholarship Aug. 2018-2019
Awarded $40,000 fellowship for graduate school (M.Ed)
University of Texas at Austin: Psychology Department Dec. 2015
Award for Art and Neuroscience Outreach
Awarded $1,500 for commissioned neuroscience art pieces
Woman’s Board International Study Scholarship Summer 2008,2009, 2010
Awarded $1,500, $1,000, and $1,000 for three study abroad trips
International Program Board Scholarship July 2008, July 2009, May 2010
Awarded $1,600, $600, and $350 for three study abroad trips
Excellence Scholarship Aug. 2004, 2005, 2010
Awarded $1,000
Dean’s List July 2004- Dec. 2007
Clinical Experience
Autism Tutor and Respite Provider Aug. 2014- Aug. 2017
Provide respite services, support, and additional tutoring in academics
and social skills for nine-year-old child with autism and her family.
Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) Therapist June 2012-June 2014
Center for Autism and Related Disorders (CARD), Austin, TX
Implement ABA therapy techniques with children on the autism
spectrum while systematically and extensively tracking behavioral data.
Clinical Counseling Intern Jan. 2010-May 2010
UT-Pan American Counseling and Psychological Services, Edinburg, TX
Provided therapy for students with a focus on behavioral modification,
which included creating and maintaining confidential reports constructed
from DSM-IV-TR criteria.
Science-Art & Outreach
Content Creator
YouTube-Cerebraphile Summer 2021
A series of interesting neuroscience and psychology topics with an
artistic twist
Artist in Residence
Cerebraphile: An Interactive Science-Art Installation
The University of Texas at Austin, TX Dec. 2015- current
An exhibition distributed over four floors in the Sarah M. and Charles E Seay (SEA) Psychology Building including over 50 brain illustrations, projection photography, and interactive exhibits that invite viewers to engage with their own and each other’s cerebrums.
Featured Artist
L’Androgyne dans la literature britannique contemporaine -
Metamorphoses d’une figure Montpellier, France Oct, 2020
A French academic book on androgyny featuring my photography on the cover
These Walls Can Talk II (The Hope Outdoor Gallery) Austin, TX March, 2017
An art book featuring graffiti artists who have had work at the
Hope Outdoor Gallery (graffiti park)
“N” The Human Brain Project (HBP) Magazine, Geneva, Switzerland Sept. 2015
Featured artist for HPB magazine, including seven individual neuroscience
oriented drawings and paintings.