Academia & Research

I realize that those who read my blog might not really understand what my purpose is, in being where I am right now. Of course, EVERYONE knows it's the weather, right? I mean academically.

Here's the scoop. In lamen's terms, I hope.

I am finishing my master's in clinical psychology at Roosevelt. I'm done with my classwork and I am currently working on my thesis, which is obviously my final project. A thesis in psychology needs to be some kind of study--experiment, if you will. It is a very strict process. I am not doing my own experiment, though, in the sense that my thesis chair (professor) has already collected the data as part of her PhD dissertation. So, basically, she gathered a bunch of people together, assessed them, did some "activities" with them, and measured the results. She gathered LOTS of stuff--only part of which she used for her dissertation. Many of the measures are very similar to what is being done at UCI (see below). I'm looking at some slightly different issues than she did. I have to gather background information, propose my idea, analyze the data, and then finish the project. That should be done by about October.

In addition to this, I am looking to apply to doctoral programs. In psychology, that means either a PhD (research-focused) or a PsyD (clinically-focused). PhD programs are notoriously and ridiculously competitive!! So are PsyD prgrams, but PhD programs are much more so--that is because tuition & expenses are usually covered and funds are limited. To get into a PhD program, from what I'm told, one needs to have a great GPA, super GRE scores, a good amount of research experience, excellent recommendations, and a good fit with the department's research interests. My master's program didn't give me a lot of research experience (other than my thesis), mostly because I was unwilling to remain in Chicago all year. So, it made sense to seek out an opportunity in a warm climate. Plus, making contacts in this area will bode well for my future, as I am discovering.

So, I'm getting the research experience by participating heavily in this lab at UCI. I'm also getting a head start on submitting a publication or two (to a scientific journal) before I apply to programs--a BIG plus and a good way to stand out. My thesis will provide the data for one of these publications. The other will be the study that I am working on at UCI.

My research interest/focus is obviously on pregnancy. But more than that, it is focusing on biological markers of stress, depression, and/or anxiety. A bit more on that later.

The only thing that is left is the GRE. I plan to take that this fall, and start studying in late summer. The professor at UCI told me that she will gladly suggest me for a spot in their program, and I know (because she keeps telling me) that she wants me to stick around and be a part of their program--BUT, I have to get a decent score on the GRE. Talk about pressure!!

The big pregnancy study at UCI is really a big undertaking. It is probably a project that will take years for the lab to complete. They really are bold to do such a study, because pregnancy is very difficult to study--only 9 months, with visits in specific points during pregnancy, and difficult to follow-up with postpartum moms!! They are looking at all kinds of things--they take blood, they take saliva (for cortisol), they do a TSST (a stressful laboratory situation that makes them speak in public, promotes the release of stress hormones in the body), evaluate them psychiatrically, ask about mood....etc., etc. Very involved.

I have been involved in all aspects of this so far. I have really helped with recruiting--cuz, I know me some avenues to get the pregnant women!! I have also been learning how to do the psychiatric interview, performed the TSST (fun!), did some blood work, have been calling participants, and other administrative stuff like scheduling undergraduate research assistants for certain roles. I discovered that I hate the bloodwork--a sentiment that was not lost on all of my colleagues with my incessant, PMS-filled whining. Seriously, though, it's just so accurate and precise (and boring), it makes me nervous, and I don't even have a blood issue! So, the professor says I don't need to do that if I don't like it, I am a volunteer after all!! I told her I really want to dig in to the psychiatric interview--it's exactly what I'm interested in, being a clinical psychology student and all! You really know that's your thing when you're jealous of the 20-something's with a bachelor's degree who are down the hall interviewing the pregnant women, while you're doing bloodwork, and you're thinking, "That's no fair!! I wanna do what they're doing!! But I'm stuck here doing this crap..."

The study that I am spearheading at UCI is a very short-term thing. It is designed to get me a project and a publication before I apply to programs. See, isn't this professor just awesome!! She specifically sat down with me to strongly suggest that I do this. It's really win-win, because it is a publication for both of us. Anyway, I'm going to recruit undergraduate college students to come in and screen for anxiety, then put them in a 45-minute session for a) a guided visualization or b) a stress management lecture, then take salivary cortisol measurements and mood assessments both right after the session, and one week later. Voila! A study.

I guess that's about it. Leo is very supportive. He was really a cheerleader for me, empathizing that this is a really unique opportunity and I would be stupid to turn it down or not take it. I'm not getting paid, but there is that possibility in the future...if not at UCI, then at some other location...since I'll have a year of experience. So, even if this doesn't get me into a PhD program, I'll have skills that are marketable. And I'll know that I went to great, great lengths to get into a program, so I won't have regrets. Even if I end up going PsyD (which I will do in southern CA), I plan to work with this lab for a while, since their research is so interesting to me. Even with a PsyD, I can do research, it's just a slightly different approach.

'Til next time...