W. Kent Anger
Senior Scientist and Associate Director, Center for Research on Occupational and Environmental Toxicology (CROET)
Associate Professor, Behavioral Neuroscience, OHSU
e-mail: anger@ohsu.edu
CROET website: http://www.ohsu.edu/croet (select faculty pages)
personal professional website: http://home.comcast.net/~neta-lo
Major Areas
Behavioral assessment of neurotoxicity; Development of computerized methods for behavioral assessment and training/education
Previous Positions
Research Psychologist, Environmental Protection Agency; Cincinnati, OH
Scientist Director and Chief, Neurobehavioral Research Section (APEB/DBBS),
National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health; Cincinnati, OH
Education
B.A. (1964) Stephen F. Austin State University
M.A. (1965) University of Wyoming
Ph.D. (1974) University of Maine
Research Interests
The primary focus of research is on (a) the development and validation of behavioral methods to study human neurotoxic disorders
produced by chemicals; (b) the use of those tests to identify and characterize such effects following exposures to chemicals in
occupational and environmental settings; and (c) computer-based training to prevent health and safety hazards in the workplace. We
are also developing the next generation of human behavioral tests (Behavioral Assessment and Research System or BARS and Health
Screening System or HSS) for neurotoxicity assessments. The BARS tests incorporate shaping-related instructional principles to teach
test performance in a clear manner that incorporates test stimuli with instructions and practice and requires competency prior to
initiating the assessment proper. Written instructions in English and Spanish are supplemented by optional spoken instructions in
these languages; written instructions in Portuguese, Korean and Ukrainian are also available. We have extended this methodology to
children and aging populations, and are currently studying migrant workers and their families. Our most recent funded activity is
the development on a computerized training system (cTRAIN) for applications in populations with minimal to advanced education.
Methods and related publications are described at http://www.ohsu.edu/croet/faculty/anger and at
http://home.comcast.net/~neta-lo.
Selected Recent Publications
Rohlman DS, Eckerman DA, Ammerman TA, Fercho HL, Lundeen CA, Blomquist C, Anger WK (in press). Computer based instruction vs.
traditional training in working adults: Information and quiz presentation and interactivity.
Journal of Organizational Behavior and Management.
Anger WK, Tamulinas A, Uribe A, Ayala C. (2004) Computer-Based Training for Immigrant Latinos with Limited Education. Hispanic Journal of Behavioral Sciences. 26:373-389.
Eckerman DA, Abrahamson K, Ammerman T, Fercho H, Diane S, Rohlman DS, Anger WK (2004) Computer-based training for food service workers at a hospital. Journal of Safety Research. 35:317-327.
Inserra SG, Phifer BL, Anger WK, Lewin M, Hilsdon R, White MC. (2004) Neurobehavioral Evaluation in a Community with Chronic Exposure to Hydrogen Sulfide. Environmental Research. 95:53-61.
Reif JS, Burch JB Nuckols JR, Metzger L, Anger WK. (2003) Neurobehavioral effects of exposure to trichloroethylene through a municipal water supply. Environmental Research. 9:248-258.
Kamel F, Rowland AS, Park LP, Anger WK, Baird DB, Gladen BC, Moreno T, Stallone L, Sandler DP. (2003) Neurobehavioral Performance and Work Experience in Florida Farmworkers. Environmental Health Perspectives. 111:1765-1772.
Newland MC, Pennypacker HS, Anger WK, Mele P. (2003) Transferring behavioral technology across applications. Neurotoxicology and Teratology. 25:529-542.
Rohlman DS, Gimenes L, Eckerman DA, Kang S-K, Farahat FM, Anger WK. (2003) Development of the Behavioral Assessment and Research System (BARS) to Detect and Characterize Neurotoxicity in Humans. NeuroToxicology. 24:523-531.
Farahat FM, Rohlman DS, Storzbach D, Ammerman T, Anger WK (2003) Measures of short-term test-retest reliability of computerized neurobehavioral tests. NeuroToxicology. 24: 513-521.
Anger WK. (2003) Neurobehavioural tests and systems to assess neurotoxic exposures in the workplace and community [invited paper]. Occupational and Environmental Medicine. 60: 531-538.
Farahat TM, Abdelrasoul GM, Amr MM, Shebl MM, Farahat FM, Anger WK (2003) Neurobehvioral effects among workers occupationally exposed to organophosphorous pesticides. Occupational and Environmental Medicine. 60 :279-286.
Eckerman DA, Lundeen CL, Steele A, Fercho HL, Ammerman TA, Anger WK (2002) Interactive training vs. Reading to Teach Respiratory Protection. Journal of Occupational Health Psychology. 7:313-323.