WHITNEY ERIKSEN, MS, RN
501Woodland Terrace Apt #2F
Philadelphia, PA 19104
Phone: 360.904.3408
E-mail: weriksen@nursing.upenn.edu
Research Interests
Autism Spectrum Disorders and Developmental Disabilities; Adolescent Health; Women’s Health
Education
PhD
Spring 2016
University of Pennsylvania, School of Nursing, Philadelphia, PA.
Focus: Autism Spectrum Disorders, transitions to adolescence, women’s health
MS
May 2014
University of Pennsylvania, School of Nursing, Philadelphia, PA.
Focus: Autism Spectrum Disorders
BSN
December 2012
University of Pennsylvania, School of Nursing, Philadelphia, PA
Graduated Magna Cum Laude, Minor in Integrated Nursing Care of Autism
Spectrum Disorders
BA
May 2009
Scripps College, Claremont, CA.
Major: Psychology
Minor: Biology
Academic Awards: Dean’s List 2006-2009. Honors in Psychology. Cum Laude.
Support & Grants
2011- Present
2014- Present
Hillman Scholar in Nursing Innovation, University of Pennsylvania & Alex and
Rita Hillman Foundation
Ruth L. Kirschstein NRSA Doctoral Fellow, Research on Vulnerable Women,
Children and Families (T32NR007100), University of Pennsylvania School of
Nursing, Center for Global Women’s Health and Center for Health Equity
Research
Professional Experience
Leadership Education in Neurodevelopmental and Related Disabilities (LEND) Fellow
Children's Hospital of Philadelphia
July 2014 – June 2015.
Co-Investigator: Feasibility of obtaining quantitative assessment of thermal sensation in youth with
Autism Spectrum Disorder
PI: Dr. Margaret Souders, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA.
January 2014 – Present.
Research Assistant: Sleep in Children with Autism Spectrum Disorder
PI: Dr. Margaret Souders, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA.
August 2013- Present.
Teaching Assistant: Integrated Human Anatomy, Physiology & Physical Assessment
Dr. Connie Scanga, University of Pennsylvania, School of Nursing, Philadelphia, PA.
January 2014 – May 2014.
Research Assistant: Feeding Behaviors in Young Children with Autism Spectrum Disorder
PIs: Dr. Tanya Kral, Dr. Margaret Souders, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA.
June 2012- December 2012.
Lab Manager, Zaidel Cognitive Neuropsychology and Hemispheric Laterality Lab at UCLA
Dr. Eran Zaidel, University of California, Los Angeles, CA.
June 2009- June 2011.
Professional Qualifications and Licensure
Registered Nurse, Pennsylvania, April 2013 – Present.
ADOS Training, September 2012.
Awards, Honors, Positions
President Gutmann Leadership Award, University of Pennsylvania
Spring 2013
Nursing Chair on the Leadership Board of the Student Healthcare Alliance at Penn (SHAPE),
University of Pennsylvania
January-December 2013.
Secretary of the Nursing Doctoral Student Organization, University of Pennsylvania
July 2014-June 2015.
Publications
Kral, T., Souders, M., Tompkins, V., Remiker, A., Eriksen, W., & Pinto-Martin, J., (2014). Child
Eating Behaviors and Caregiver Feeding Practices in Children with Autism Spectrum Disorders.
Public Health Nursing. Doi: 10.1111/phn.12146
Kral, T., Eriksen, W., Souders, M., & Pinto-Martin, J. (2013). Eating Behaviors, Diet Quality, and
Gastrointestinal Symptoms in Children with Autism Spectrum Disorders: A Brief Review. Journal of
Pediatric Nursing 28(6), 548-556.
Eriksen, W. (2009). What we want to hear at commencement. InsideHigherEd.com. May 18, 2009.
Presentations
Souders, M., Puleo, C., Bennett, A., Berry, L., Giserman, I., Eriksen, W., Schultz, R., & Herrington, J.
Potential Link Between Anxiety and Insomnia in Individuals with Autism Spectrum Disorders.
Presented at the International Meeting for Autism Research, San Sebastian, Spain, May 2014.
Kral, T., Souders, M., Eriksen, W., Remiker, A., Tompkins, V., & Pinto-Martin, J. Food Selectivity,
Weight Status, and Caregiver Feeding Practices in Children with Autism Spectrum Disorders.
Presented at the International Meeting for Autism Research, San Sebastian, Spain, May 2014.
Souders, M., Berry, L., Giserman, I., Puleo, C., Eriksen, W., Bennett, A., & Herrington, J. Sleep
Quality in Children and Adolescents with Autism Spectrum Disorder with and without Anxiety
Compared to Typically Developing Children. Poster at the International Meeting for Autism Research,
Toronto, Canada, May 2013.
Hill, A., Eriksen, W., and Zaidel, E. (2010). EEG Biofeedback Protocols Change Hemispheric
Attention. Presented at International Society for Neurofeedback and Research Annual Conference,
Denver, CO. September 29- October 3, 2010.
Professional Affiliations
International Society for Autism Research 2012 – Current
Attendance at the International Meeting for Autism Research: 2012, 2013, 2014
Academy Health 2013- Current
Languages
Proficiency in speaking, reading and writing German.
Elementary in signing American Sign Language.