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Emily T

- Research Program Mentor

PhD candidate at Cambridge University

Expertise

Psychology / Neuroscience

Bio

I’m Emily and I am a 4th year PhD Student in Psychology at the University of Cambridge and a Gates-Cambridge Scholar. My Ph.D. research focuses primarily on social isolation in adolescents - where I am investigating the effects of isolation and loneliness on fear learning and mental health. Through the use of high definition magnetic resonance imaging, I am also exploring structural associations between the brain and one's response to social isolation. In addition, I seek to examine whether virtual social interactions (such as the use of smartphones and social media) might mitigate or exacerbate the effects of social isolation. Originally, I am from the U.S. and grew up in a small town in Georgia before moving to New York City where I lived for 10 years and worked as a fashion model. After New York, I moved to Los Angeles for two years before settling in Cambridge, U.K. to pursue my Ph.D. In my spare time I love to explore Cambridge, travel, and have recently joined my college’s rowing team!

Project ideas

Project ideas are meant to help inspire student thinking about their own project. Students are in the driver seat of their research and are free to use any or none of the ideas shared by their mentors.

Write a Review Paper

In this project, you will write an academic paper reviewing the latest research on a topic of your choice within the field of psychology and/or neuroscience. By engaging deeply with the literature, you will hone your skills in critical thinking, learn to evaluate the strength of scientific evidence, and develop the ability to synthesize complex information into a coherent narrative. This process will also enhance your academic writing skills, teaching you how to construct well-founded arguments and articulate them effectively. Further, I encourage you to cultivate your research interests by picking a topic you are passionate about, which might guiding future academic pursuits or career paths. Possible topics include: - The influence of social connectedness on adolescents’ emotion following social isolation - The impact of video games on adolescent wellbeing - Impact of early life adversity on memory in adolescents

Communicate Science

In this project, you will harness the power of creativity to translate complex scientific concepts into engaging and understandable content. Choose your medium—be it a snappy video, an insightful podcast, or an informative newsletter—and embark on a journey to refine your storytelling abilities, making science accessible and captivating to a wider audience. This exercise is not just about simplifying science but about enhancing your skills in critical thinking, creativity, and effective communication, essential tools for any future career. By distilling intricate ideas into relatable narratives, you will not only contribute to demystifying science for the public but also develop a versatile skill set that transcends academic disciplines. This project offers a unique platform to showcase your ability to engage with scientific topics creatively and make a meaningful impact on how science is perceived and understood.

Coding skills

R, python, MATLAB

Teaching experience

My academic journey has been underscored by a passion for teaching and mentoring, highlighted by extensive experience with students across educational levels (from first year high school students to final year undergraduates). I have tutored in psychology, mentored on individual research projects, and served as a teaching assistant and guest lecturer for courses in the Psychological and Behavioural Sciences. I have supervised several undergraduate dissertations on topics related to adolescence and mental health, and delivered talks on the science of learning at schools across the U.K. and internationally.

Credentials

Education

City University of New York
BA Bachelor of Arts (2017)
Communications and Media
University of California Los Angeles (UCLA)
MS Master of Science (2019)
Social Science
Columbia University
Unknown Degree (2018)
Postbaccalaureate in Psychology
Cambridge University
PhD Doctor of Philosophy candidate
Psychology

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