About The School of Nursing

Professional Experience

• Consultations & Professional Service
• Honors & Awards
• Memberships & Related Activities
• Presentations
• Professional Experience
• Publications
• Research & Grants

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Consultations & Professional Service

• Research Council, St. Louis Children’s Hospital, 2005 - Present
• Research Review Committee, St. Louis Children’s Hospital, 2005 - Present
• Obstetrical Nurse Expert Witness, Law Firm of William Beatty, Edwardsville, IL, 1994 - Present
• Obstetrical Nurse Expert Witness, Law Firm of Harlan Heller, Ltd., Mattoon, IL, 1988 - 1992
• Developed RN Review Course on “Medication Administration” for 1989 Madison County Mental Health Services, Granite City, IL, February 1987

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Honors & Awards

• Awarded the SIUE Teaching Excellence Award, April 2006
• Fellow for the Institute of Urban Research – SIUE, July 2003
• AWHONN Hill Rom Maternal-Child Nursing Award, April 2003
• Research Grant Award, Sigma Theta Tau, Epsilon Eta Chapter, April 2003
• Nominated for SIUE Teaching Excellence Award, January 2002
• Writing for Publication Award-Published Author, Sigma Theta Tau, Epsilon Eta, April 2001
• First Place Award – Poster Presentation – SIUE/Epsilon Eta Chapter Annual Martha Welch Gateway Research Conference, SIUE, September 2000
• Second Place Award – Poster Presentation - SIUE/Epsilon Eta Chapter Annual Martha Welch Gateway Research Conference, SIUE, September 2000
• Nominated for SIUE Teaching Excellence Award, January 1998
• First Place Award - Doctoral Student Poster Presentation - Midwest Nursing Research Society Annual Conference, Kansas City, Missouri, April 1995
• Joan Hrubetz Doctoral Student Award, Sigma Theta Tau, Delta Lambda Chapter, April 1993
• Writing for Publication Award, Unpublished Author, Sigma Theta Tau, Epsilon Eta, May 1992
• Nominated as an Outstanding Young Woman of America for 1987, November 1987
• Phi Kappa Phi, National Honor Society, April 1986
• Awarded by Southern Illinois Society for Health Care, Education, and Training for Community Program Development - Sibling Class, December 1985
• Sigma Theta Tau, Epsilon Eta Chapter International Honor Society in Nursing, April 1978

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• Membership In Professional Organizations (Position Held: Member, Chair Etc)
  • AWHONN, Association of Women’s Health, Obstetrics, and Neonatal Nursing
  • MNRS, Midwest Nursing Research Society
  • STT, Sigma Theta Tau International Honor Society for Nursing, Epsilon Eta Chapter
  • Phi Kappa Phi Honor Society
• Regional/National Committees (Position Held: Member, Chair Etc)
  Professional Organizations Committee Membership:
  • MNRS Childbearing Research Section Co-Chair/Chair, 2006 - 2008
  • Southern Illinois AWHONN representative for Illinois March of Dimes - Prematurity Summit, 2006
  • Midwest Nursing Research Society (MNRS), Planning Committee for 2004 MNRS Annual Conference in St. Louis, 2002-2004
  • Midwest Nursing Research Society (MNRS), Planning Committee for 2003 MNRS Annual Conference in Michigan, 2002-2003
  • Sigma Theta Tau International, Epsilon Eta Chapter, Nominating Committee, (Elected), 2002 - 2005
  • MO/IL Nursing Research Consortium, Nominating Committee, (Elected), 1999 - 2000
  • Sigma Theta Tau International, Epsilon Eta Chapter Vice-President (Elected), 1996 - 2000
  • AWHONN, Education Committee, Illinois (volunteered), 1993 - 1994
  • Sigma Theta Tau International, Epsilon Eta Chapter, Eligibility Committee, 1988 - 1990
  • Illinois Nurses Association, District 10, Newsletter Committee, 1988 - 1990
  • INA-CEARP Review Committee, 1987 - 1990
  • Barnes College, Student Affairs Committee, 1993 - 1994
  • St. Elizabeth Medical Center, Granite City, Illinois, Nursing Diagnosis Committee, 1984 - 1987, Education Committee, 1984 - 1987
• Siue Committee/Task Force/Special Committees Assignments For The Past 5 Years
  • Faculty Appointment, Promotion and Tenure Committee (elected), 2005 - 2007
  • Ad Hoc Graduate Curriculum Committee, Summer 2005
  • Graduate Curriculum Committee, Chair (05-06), 2005 - 2007
  • Research and Grant Review Committee. 2003 - 2005
  • Faculty Association, Chair (elected), 2004 - 2005
  • Faculty Association, Vice-Chair (elected), 2003 - 2-004
  • Ad Hoc Dean’s Evaluation Committee (appointed), 2002
  • Search Committee for the Associate Dean of Educational Services (appointed), 2002
  • Dean’s Advisory Committee (elected), 2000 - 2002
  • Undergraduate Research Academy mentor for one, student, 2005 - 2006
  • Graduate Course Review Committee, 2003 - ongoing
  • University Fellowship and Scholarship Committee, 2001 - ongoing
  • Undergraduate Research Academy Board, 1997 - ongoing
  • Undergraduate Research Academy mentor for one student, 2004 - 2005
  • Graduate Program Committee, 2003 - 2004
  • Rules and Procedures Council (of Faculty Senate), 2002 - 2005
  • Faculty Senate (elected), 2002 - 2005
  • Undergraduate Program Review (appointed), Mathematics and Statistics 2002 - 2003
  • Undergraduate Research Academy mentor for one student, 2001 - 2002
  • Programs Committee, Graduate Council, 2001 - 2002
  • Undergraduate Research Academy mentor for two students, 2000 - 2001
  • Multi-Disciplinary Research Group, 1999 - 2003

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Presentations

• Poster Presentation – Bernaix, L., Arrizola, M., Iovenili, D., Medina-Poleniz, C., Schmidt, C., et al. Lactation Knowledge, Attitudes, Beliefs and Intentions of NICU  Nurses: A Intervention Study. St. Louis Children’s Hospital Annual Research Conference, St. Louis, MO, May 19, 2006
• Poster Presentation – Bernaix, L., Arrizola, M., Iovenili, D., Medina-Poleniz, C., Schmidt, C., et al. Lactation Knowledge, Attitudes, Beliefs and Intentions of NICU  Nurses: A Intervention Study. Midwest Nursing Research Society Annual Research Conference, Milwaukee, WI, April 2, 2006
• Paper Presentation (Invited) – Bernaix, L., Schmidt, C., Flick, L., & White, K., Prenatal Lead Exposure, Southern Illinois AWHONN Chapter Dinner Meeting, Belleville, IL, September 28, 2005
• Poster presentation - Smith, J., Jamerson, P., Bernaix, L., Schmidt, C., & Seiter, L. Fathers' Description of Lactation Support in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit. National Association of Neonatal Nurses Annual Conference, Chicago, IL, September, 2005
• Poster Presentation - Schmidt, C., Bernaix, L., Jamerson, P., Seiter, L., & Smith, J.  Family management style of lactation in families with premature infants in the NICU. AWHONN 2005 Convention, Salt Lake City, UT, June 11-14, 2005
• Poster Presentation - Bernaix, L. & Schmidt, C. Prenatal Blood Lead Levels within St. Clair County: A Descriptive Study. AWHONN 2005 Convention, Salt Lake City, UT, June 11-14, 2005
• Poster presentation - Smith, J., Jamerson, P., Bernaix, L., Schmidt, C., & Seiter, L. Fathers' Description of Lactation Support in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit poster.  8th Annual Neonatal Advanced Practice Nursing Forum 2005, Washington, DC, June, 2005
• Covington, K., Bernaix, L., Schmidt, C., & Jacquelyn Clement. Health Behaviors of College-Aged Students: Implications for Clinical Practice. American College of Sports Medicine (ACSM) Annual Meeting, Nashville, Tennessee, June 1-4, 2005
• Bernaix, L.,  Schmidt, C., Jamerson, P., Seiter, L., & Smith, J. (2005, April) Family management style of lactation in families with premature infants in the NICU. St. Louis Children’s Annual Research Conference, May 6, 2005
• Bernaix, L.,  Schmidt, C., Jamerson, P., Seiter, L., & Smith, J. (2005, April) Family management style of lactation in families with premature infants in the NICU. MNRS 29th Annual Research Conference, Cincinnati, OH, April 4, 2005
• Schmidt, C., Bernaix, L., & Weese, J.  (2005, April). Children’s perceptions of nurse behaviors: Replication of a qualitative study. Midwest Nursing Research Conference, Cincinnati, OH, April 3, 2005
• Poster Presentation – Bernaix, L.,  Schmidt, C., Jamerson, P., Seiter, L., & Smith, J. Family Management Style of Lactation in Families With Premature Infants in the NICU. Martha Welch Annual Research Conference, Sigma Theta Tau, SIUE, October 21, 2004
• Poster Presentation – Bernaix, L., Schmidt, C., & Caswell, R. Graduate Nurses’ Perceptions of Their Baccalaureate Final Semester Clinical Preceptorship Experience. 10th Annual Nursing Research Conference at Memorial Medical Center, Springfield, MO, March, 2004
• Paper Presentation –Bernaix, L., & Schmidt, C. Graduate Nurses’ Perceptions of Their Baccalaureate Final Semester Clinical Preceptorship Experience. MNRS 28th Annual Research Conference, St. Louis, MO, February 29, 2004
• Poster Presentation –Bernaix, L., & Schmidt, C.. Prenatal Blood Lead Levels within St. Clair County: A Descriptive Study.  MNRS 28th Annual Research Conference, St. Louis, MO, February 29, 2004
• Paper Presentation –Bernaix, L., Jamerson, P., Schmidt, C., Smith, J. & Seiter, L. Impact of Neonatal ICU Father Support on Lactation: A Preliminary Study.. MNRS 28th Annual Research Conference, St. Louis, MO, February 29, 2004
• Paper Presentation – Schmidt, C., Bernaix, L., Clement, J., Covington, K., & Carr, T.R. Obesity and Physical Activity in College Females: Implications for Clinical Practice. MNRS 28th Annual Research Conference, St. Louis, MO, February 28, 2004 (Accepted)
• Paper Presentation – Bernaix, L. & Schmidt, C. Prenatal Blood Lead Levels within St. Clair County: A Descriptive Study. Epsilon Eta Chapter Annual Dinner Meeting, Edwardsville, IL, February 19, 2004 (Accepted)
• Paper Presentation – Clement, J., Bernaix, L., Schmidt, C., Covington, K., & Carr, T. R.. Obesity and Physical Activity in College Females: Implications for Clinical Practice. Epsilon Eta Chapter Annual Dinner Meeting, Edwardsville, IL, February 19, 2004 (Accepted)
• Poster Presentation – Bernaix, L. & Schmidt, C. Prenatal Blood Lead Levels within St. Clair County: A Descriptive Study. Mosby’s Pediatric Health Care 2003 Conference,San Diego, CA, November 6-9, 2003
• Paper presentation - Clement, J., Bernaix, L., Covington, K., Carr, T.R., & Schmidt, C. Obesity and Physical Activity: Implications for Women Across the Lifespan.  Annual Business Meeting of the Madison County Partnership for Community Health, SIUE, (Invited), September, 2003
• Paper Presentation - Bernaix, L., & Schmidt, C.  Prenatal Blood Lead Levels Within St. Clair County, IL: A Descriptive Study. Annual Business Meeting of the Madison County Partnership for Community Health, SIUE, (Invited), September, 2003
• Panel Member – Clinical Preceptorships: Bridging Academia and Practice, Southern Illinois, University Edwardsville, Community Relations Luncheon, April, 2003
• Paper Presentation – Breastfeeding Promotion: Lactation Experts’ Perspectives – Midwest Nursing Research Society Annual Conference, Grand Rapids, MI, March, 2003
• Poster Presentation – Children’s Perceptions of Nurse Behaviors: A Qualitative Study – Midwest Nursing Research Society Annual Conference, Grand Rapids, MI, March, 2003
• Paper Presentation – Breastfeeding Promotion: Lactation Experts’ Perspectives – Saint Louis University Annual Research Conference, St. Louis, MO, October, 2002
• Paper Presentation - Nehring, W. M., Lashley, F.R., Schmidt, C.A., Bernaix, L., & Lyerla, F. Enhancing pediatric and maternal-newborn knowledge and practice through the use of human patient simulators.(Co-Investigator).  National League for Nursing Education Summit 2002, Anaheim, CA, September, 2002
• Poster Presentation - Schmidt, C. & Bernaix, L. Community Outreach: A Health Promotion and Disease Prevention Exemplar by Senior Nursing Students.  Faculty Development Summer Institute 2002: Pathways to Teaching Excellence, Toronto, Canada, August 2002
• Poster Presentation – Use of the Human Patient Simulator For Teaching Maternal-Newborn and Pediatric Nursing Content – Faculty Development Summer Institute 2002: Pathways to Teaching Excellence, Toronto, Canada, August, 2002
• Paper Presentation - Obesity and Physical Activity: Implications for Women Across the lifespan.- Midwest Nursing Research Society Annual Conference, Chicago, IL, March, 2002
• Paper Presentation - Learning Maternal-Newborn and Pediatric Skills Using a Simulator -  4thNational Conference on Nursing Skills Laboratories, San Antonio, TX, June, 2001
• Paper Presentation – Principles and Good Practices for Authentic Assessment with an Emphasis on Nursing and the Health Sciences – 2000 National Assessment Institute, Indianapolis, IN, November, 2000
• Panel Presenter – “Using the Human Patient Simulator” - American Nurses Association National Conference, “Innovative Education For The New Century”, St. Louis, MO, October, 2000
• Poster Presentation - Obesity and Physical Activity: Implications for Women Across the Lifespan, American Physiology Society National Conference -  “Integrating the Biology of Exercise”, Portland, ME, September, 2000
• Poster Presentation – Undergraduate and Graduate Nursing Students’ Attitudes Toward Academic and Clinical Misconduct – SIUE/Epsilon Eta Annual Gateway Research Conference, Edwardsville, IL, September, 2000
• Poster Presentation – Obesity and Physical Activity: Implications for Women Across the Lifespan, SIUE/Epsilon Eta Annual Gateway Research Conference, Edwardsville, IL, September, 2000
• Poster Presentation – Obesity and Physical Activity: Implications for Women Across the Lifespan, Association for Politics and the Life Sciences 19th Annual National Conference, Atlanta, Georgia, September, 1999
• Paper Presentation - Development of CAI for Breastfeeding Instruction to Undergraduate Nursing Students—SIUE Excellence in Undergraduate Education Spring Symposium, SIUE, April, 1999
• Poster Presentation - Student Nurses’ Preparedness for Breastfeeding Promotion - 23rd Annual Midwest Nursing Research Society Research Conference, Indianapolis, Indiana, April, 1999
• Paper Presentation – Nurses’ Support of Breastfeeding Mothers – IDPH Region 4 Breastfeeding Promotion Task Force Meeting, Edwardsville, IL, March, 1999
• Poster Presentation - The Lived Experience of Unsuccessful Breastfeeding - Second Annual Research and Health Care Issues Conference, University of Southern Indiana, April, 1998
• Poster Presentation - Student Nurses’ Preparedness for Breastfeeding Promotion - Second Annual Research and Health Care Issues Conference, University of Southern Indiana, April, 1998
• Poster Presentation - The Lived Experience of Unsuccesful Breastfeeding - SIUE/Epsilon Eta Annual Gateway Research Conference, Edwardsville, IL, September, 1997
• Poster Presentation - The Lived Experience of Unsuccessful Breastfeeding - Midwest Nursing Research Society Annual Research Conference, Minneapolis, MN, April, 1997
• Paper Presentation – “Nurses’ Attitudes, Subjective Norms, and Behavioral Intentions Toward Support of Breastfeeding Mothers” District VII AWHONN Annual Conference, Overland, KA, October 1-3, 1996
• Paper Presentation - Nurses’ Attitudes, Subjective Norms, and Behavioral Intentions Toward Support of Breastfeeding Mothers - Sigma Theta Tau, Epsilon Eta Annual Meeting, Collinsville, IL, February 29, 1996
• Paper Presentation - Nurses’ Role in Breast-feeding Support - St. Louis Area Association of Neonatal Nurses Fall Meeting, St. Louis, MO, November 30, 1995
• Paper Presentation - “Nurses’ Support of the Breastfeeding Mother “ - Breastfeeding: Supporting Success Conference, St. John’s Mercy Medical Center, St. Louis, Missouri, November 9, 1995
• Paper Presentation - Nurses’ Attitudes, Subjective Norms, and Behavioral Intentions Toward Support of Breastfeeding Mothers - Saint Louis University School of Nursing Twenty-second Annual Research Conference 1995, St. Louis University, St. Louis, MO, October 13, 1995
• Poster Presentation - Nurses’ Attitudes, Subjective Norms, and Behavioral Intentions Toward Support of Breast-feeding mothers - MO Nurses’ Association Biennial Conventions, St. Louis, MO, October 3, 1995
• Poster Presentation - Nurses’ Attitudes, Subjective Norms, and Behavioral Intentions Toward Support of Breast-feeding Mothers - Midwest Alliance in Nursing 16th Annual Conference, St. Louis, MO, September 28 - 29, 1995
• “The Dissertation - Issues in Process and Methodology,” NR 601 Doctoral Course, St. Louis University School of Nursing, St. Louis, MO, April 7, 1995
• Graduate Student Poster Presentation, “Nurses’ Attitudes, Subjective Norms, and Behavioral Intentions Toward Support of Breastfeeding Mothers.” MNRS Annual Conference, Kansas City, MO, April 3-4, 1995
• “Nurses’ Attitudes, Subjective Norms, and Behavioral Intentions Toward Support of Breast-feeding Mothers” - Research Forum, at St. Louis University School of Nursing, St. Louis, MO, November 28, 1994
• “Issues in Maternal-Newborn Nursing Research,” at the Southern Illinois Chapter of AWHONN, November 11, 1993

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Professional Experience

2001 to Present

1991 to 2001

1994 – 1995

1993 – 1994

1992 – 1995

1987 – 1994

1988 –  1993

1987 – 1988

1984 – 1987

 1986 –  1987

Breastfeeding Class Instructor
St. Elizabeth's Medical CenterGranite City, IL

1987 – 1984

1978 – 1984

Publications

• Refereed Journal Articles

          Smith, J., Jamerson, P., Bernaix, L., Schmidt, C.,  & Seiter L. (2006). Fathers’ perceptions of supportive behaviors for lactation of premature infants. Advances in Neonatal Care (in press).

          Bernaix, L., Schmidt, C., Jamerson, P., Seiter, L., & Smith, J. (2006). Family management style of lactation for premature infants in the NICU. MCN: The American Journal of Maternal-Child Nursing, 31, 95-100.

          Haggarty, A., Schmidt, C., Bernaix, L., & Clement, J. (2004). Adolescent Obesity: Current trends and management. Journal of American Academy of Nurse Practitioners. 16, 481-489.

          Clement, J., Schmidt, C., Bernaix, L., Covington, K., Carr, T.R. (2004).  Obesity and physical activity in college females: Implications for clinical practice. Journal of the American Academy of Nurse Practitioners, 16, 291-299.

          Bernaix, L. and Schmidt, C.  (2003).  Association of Women’s Health, Obstetrical, and Neonatal

          Nursing (AWHONN) $10,000.  Prenatal Blood Lead Levels within St. Clair County.  (Per SIUE policy, externally funded research grants are considered equivalent to a published refereed article.)

          Bernaix, L. (2000). Nurses’ attitudes, subjective norms, and behavioral intentions toward support of breastfeeding mothers. Journal of Human Lactation, 16, 201-209.

          Bernaix, L. (1998). The benefits of breastfeeding. The Expectant Parents’ Guide. St. Louis.

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Research & Grants

• Grants - Funded Research
  • SIUE Funded University Research (FUR), $5182.50, “Breastfeeding Intervention for Fathers of Premature Infants in the NICU: A Pilot Study”; Principal Investigator, 2006
  • Shaw Nursing Faculty Collaborative Research Grant - $24,987. Lactation Knowledge, Attitudes, Beliefs and Intentions of NICU  Nurses: A Intervention Study. Co-Principal Investigator, 2004-2006
  • Shaw Nursing Faculty Collaborative Research Grant - $24,486.  Children’s Perceptions of Nurse Behaviors: Replication of a Qualitative Study. Consultant, 2003 - 2004
  • Institute for Urban Research - $14,360.  Prenatal Blood Lead Levels Within St. Clair County:  A Descriptive Study. Principal Investigator, 2003 - 2004
  • Association of Women’s Health, Obstetrical, and Neonatal Nursing (AWHONN), $10,000. Prenatal Blood Lead Levels in St. Clair County, IL: A Descriptive Study. Principal Investigator, 2003 - 2004
  • SIUE Summer Research Fellowship FY04, $6000, Prenatal Blood Lead Levels in St. Clair County, IL: A Descriptive Study. Principal Investigator, 2003
  • Shaw Nursing Faculty Collaborative Grant, Children’s Memorial Hospital, Chicago, IL; $24,983; Children’s Perceptions of Nurse Behaviors: A Qualitative Study. Consultant, 2002-2003
  • SIUE Summer Research Fellowship FY2001, $6000, “Breastfeeding Promotion: Lactation Experts’ Perspectives”, Primary Investigator, Nov., 1999
  • IDPH Region 4 Breastfeeding Task Force Research Grant, $300, “The Teen Mother’s Breastfeeding Experience: A Case Study”, Primary Investigator, Jan., 1999
  • SIUE Funded University Research (FUR), $500, “Students Nurses’ Preparedness for Breastfeeding Promotion”, .Primary Investigator, April, 1997
  • SIUE Summer Research Fellowship FY1997, $2000, “The Lived Experience of Unsuccessful Breastfeeding”, Primary Investigator, Nov., 1995
• Grants - Funded Projects
  • 2006 – 2007 SIUE Excellence in Graduate Education, $9600, “Innovation in Graduate Nursing Education: Oncology Nursing and Pain Mangagement Nursing Blended Options”, Project Director
  • 2006 -2007 SIUE Excellence in Undergraduate Education, $7234, “CAI for Nursing Students: Breastfeeding Promotion for Families of Premature Infants”, Project Director
  • 2001 SIUE Senior Assignment Fund - $13,286. Community Outreach: An Exemplar in Health Promotion and Disease Prevention by Senior Nursing Students, Co-Project Director
  • April, 2001 Medical Education Technologies Inc. (METI), “Human Patient Simulator Learning Modules – Maternal-Newborn and Pediatric Scenarios”, $8,000, Co-Project Director
  • April, 2000 SIUE Excellence in Undergraduate Education (EUE), “Enhancing Undergraduate Nursing Education through Human Patient Simulators”, $12,895, Co-Project Director.
  • April, 2000 Medical Education Technologies Inc. (METI), “Human Patient Simulator Learning Modules”, $25,000, Co-Project Director
  • April, 1998 SIUE Excellence in Undergraduate Education (EUE), $10,000, “Creative Incorporation of Internet Instruction -Undergraduate Nursing Students”, Co-Project Director.
  • April, 1997 SIUE Excellence in Undergraduate Education (EUE), $14,931, “Development of CAI for Delivery of Breastfeeding Instruction to Undergraduate Nursing Students”, Project Director.
• Research Grants - Not Funded
  • NIH Research Project Grant Program, RO1, Impact of Paternal Educational Intervention on NICU Lactation Duration. $643,804, Principal Investigator/Author, 2005
  • HRSA: Maternal and Child Health Research Program of the Maternal and Child Health Bureau  - $870,614.  Impact of Neonatal ICU Father Support on Lactation.  Principal Investigator and Author, 2003
  • American Nurses’ Foundation Grant. Prenatal blood lead levels within St. Clair County: A descriptive study - $10,000. Principal Investigator, 2002
  • Sigma Theta Tau International/American Nurses Foundation.  Obesity and Physical Activity Level: Implications for Women Across the Life Span. $7,500; Co- Investigator, 2001
  • Institute for Urban Research - $24,502. Access to Health Care: Implications of Organizational Change on Health Care Service Delivery, Co-PI, 2001
  • Sigma Theta Tau International/American Nurses Foundation.  Obesity and Physical Activity Level: Implications for Women Across the Life Span. $7,500, PI, 2000 

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