Kevin P. Kaut, Ph.D.
Title: Professor
Dept/Program: Psychology
Office: CAS 326
Phone: 330-972-2196
Email: kpk@uakron.edu
Curriculum Vitae: Download in PDF format
Biography
Dr. K. P. Kaut is a psychologist and neuroscientist with diverse interests in human and animal behavior and neuropathology. His academic pedigree dates back to his bachelor's degree in Psychology along with supportive coursework in his favorite natural science area, Biology. An interest in developmental delays, cognitive disabilities, and psychological evaluation first motivated him to seek a Master’s degree in School Psychology, later practicing as a professional psychologist in pediatric and adolescent assessment and psychoeducational evaluation. However, his interests in the biological bases of behavior eventually led him to a subsequent graduate degree (PhD) in Biomedical Science (specializing in Neuroscience) at Kent State University and the Northeastern Ohio Universities College of Medicine (now NEOMED).
Trained in neuroanatomy, with specializations in psychopharmacology and behavioral neuroscience (functional neuroanatomy), Dr. Kaut teaches at the University of Akron in the department of Psychology, offering courses in Biological Psychology, Research Methods, Psychopharmacology, and a broad range of special topic courses including content in Neuropsychology, Neuroscience, and Animal Behavior.
Jointly affiliated with the department of Biology, Dr. Kaut maintains a research program in the Auburn Science and Engineering facility while serving the University of Akron animal research program as the current chair for the Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee (IACUC) and active contributor to the University of Akron Research Vivarium (UARV).
In his nearly 25 years with the University of Akron, students with diverse interests in human and animal behavior (undergraduate majors and graduate students in Psychology and Biology) have worked with Dr. Kaut on a great many research projects prior to moving on to various careers and advanced training in business, industry, research, and medicine. At the present time, Dr. Kaut’s research portfolio includes the following – each of which has current student involvement and ongoing research projects:
- Human Assessment and Neuropsychology, including contributions in the area of Chiari (“key-are-ee”) Malformation and concussive head injury in athletic contexts (e.g., traumatic brain injury in football; boxing).
Neuroscience in the Public Interest, which involves surrogate decision-making for individuals diagnosed in complicated post-traumatic scenarios such as coma and the persistent vegetative state (PVS). In addition, current work has addressed the public perception of ethical and legal decision making in death penalty cases where pharmacological approaches to capital punishment have been called into question. - Laboratory Animal Welfare regarding the efficacy of techniques for approved animal euthanasia (i.e., by the American Veterinary Medical Association, AVMA).
- Animal Models in Neuropathology, including diverse species such as rats, fish, and invertebrates.
- Behavioral Ethology addressing evolutionary adaptations in spatial navigation, locomotion, and aggression across invertebrate and vertebrate species.
Publications
Graef, S., Tokar, D., & Kaut, K. P. (provisional acceptance). Relations of masculinity ideology conformity to masculine role norms and gender role conflict to men's attitudes toward and willingness to seek career counseling. Psychology of Men and Masculinity.
Baena, E., Allen, P. A., Kaut, K. P., & Hall, R. J. (currently available online). On age differences in prefrontal function: The importance of emotional/cognitive integration. Neuropsychologia.
Allen, P. A., Smith, A. F., Lien, M-C., Kaut, K. P., & Canfield, A. (in press). A multistream model of visual word recognition. Perception and Psychophsics.
Allen, P., Kaut, K.P., & Lord, R.G. (2009, anticipated). Emotion and Episodic Memory. In
Sweitzer, M., Allen, P., & Kaut, K.P. (2008). "Relation of Individual Differences in Impulsivity to Non-clinical Emotional Decision Making". Journal of International Neuropsychological Society, 14, 1-5.
Kaut, K. P. & Dickenson, J. A. (2007). The mental health practitioner and psychopharmacology. Journal of Mental Health Counseling, 29(3), 204-225.