Why FSU for the graduate degree?

When choosing a graduate school, it is important to search for an environment where you believe you will be able to learn and grow. There are conceptual factors, like your research fit with an advisor or the ‘vibe’ of the department, and also physical/realistic factors, like the weather or funding, that you should also take into consideration. I chose FSU's Psychology program because the campus community has many innovative minds and the institution is willing to explore and fund new exciting ideas. FSU is the perfect place to think big, push harder, and go farther.

Motivation to pursue a graduate degree?

For the past six years, I have been either volunteering in laboratories or working on other people’s research. Though these experiences are invaluable, eventually I became dissatisfied. Research always branches off into more research, but because I was contributing to someone else’s research, more often than not I was unable to pursue the research path I found worthwhile. I thought being paid might mitigate this feeling, but it only exasperated the issue. I realized doing what I love and being paid was great but that I craved intellectual freedom. I wanted to hone my skills, gain experience as an educator, and grow as a researcher.

Importance of your research and work?

Psychology is an influential field that continues to modernize mental health treatments, innovate our understanding of the brain, and diminish the stigma surrounding psychological and neurological disorders. My research focuses on cognitive control and how different parts of the brain exchange information. With further study, I hope we will be able to pinpoint regions of the brain that can be targeted when treating various mental disorders.

Advice for anyone considering graduate school

Think long and hard about what you want to spend the rest of your life doing. Unlike an undergraduate career, where you spend time discovering your interests, graduate school requires far more resolve, self-motivation, and foresight. I encourage everyone who is interested in graduate school to get some hands-on research experience and properly explore all of your options. Make informed decisions! There is far more out there than you may be aware of.

Career aspirations

I really aspire to help develop our understanding of humanity from all angles. One day I hope to have a laboratory of my own where I can do ground-breaking research while also teaching and spreading the simple joys of knowledge acquisition.