Hi everyone! My name is Skye Scoggins. I am a senior double majoring in psychology and advertising and public relations. My experiences at UNC have been incredibly formative, enabling me to explore various areas within psychology and discover my research passion: understanding how hormones affect mood disorders in women throughout their reproductive lifespan. Being a Karen M. Gil Intern has been nothing short of an exceptional experience, allowing me to collaborate with an amazing research team and student cohort.
Since early freshman year, my interest in pursuing a lifelong career in psychology has only grown. I have had the privilege of serving as a research assistant in several UNC labs, each contributing significantly to my evolving research interests. In Dr. Jonathan Abramowitz’s Stress and Anxiety Lab, I quickly realized I wanted to pursue clinical psychology. My work in Dr. Joseph Hopfinger’s Attention Lab provided valuable experience in executive-function research. Additionally, my time in Dr. Kristen Lindquist’s Carolina Affective Science Laboratory this past summer allowed me to consider how perceptual experiences influence emotion. These diverse experiences have broadened my understanding of psychology, helping me widen my view of mood disorder development — one shaped by physical, emotional, and situational factors. Conversations with my peers have further motivated me to question how hormonal fluctuations contribute to the onset of anxiety and depression.
This semester, I am fortunate to be placed as an intern at the NERD Lab (Neuroendocrinology of Reproductive Mood Disorders), a lab directly aligned with my research interests. I am grateful to have Dr. Elizabeth Andersen as my mentor, whose enthusiasm for research has been inspiring. She has taught me to focus on smaller projects within larger studies. Her mentorship has shown me that effective research is not only about asking the big questions but also about paying attention to the intricate details that move research along – such as the adjustment of measures.
Over the past 12 weeks, I have been working on the EVOLVE study, which investigates the role of reproductive hormones in the development of depression during the pubertal transition in adolescent females. Working with a younger population — something entirely new for me — and following participants throughout their menstrual cycles has been insightful and rewarding. The lab has given me a new perspective on the relationship between hormones and mental health, specifically the impact of factors such as estrogen variability, heightened stress, and sleep disruptions on predicting depressive symptoms. Furthermore, handling compliance for compensation has allowed me to see the daily and weekly surveys the participants complete, offering a unique perspective on their thoughts, feelings, and experiences. This task has taught me that research goes beyond just the numbers. I am now even more excited about working in this field of research as it has significant implications for bettering people’s mental health.
As someone aspiring to pursue a Ph.D. in Clinical Psychology, I have found running in-lab experiments particularly rewarding, as it has allowed me to build meaningful rapport with participants and develop skills crucial for future clinical work. I have also valued my time as a research assistant at the NERD Lab, where I’ve had the chance to collaborate with an incredible team. Working alongside my peers on multiple projects has created numerous learning opportunities, and the sense of camaraderie amongst the NERD team makes me excited to go to work each day.
Lastly, I want to express my gratitude to everyone who has supported me throughout this incredible internship experience. Thank you to the entire NERD Lab team, especially to Peyton Miyares, the study coordinator for the EVOLVE study. Working alongside Peyton each week has allowed me to gain new skills and insight into the research process. I am also so grateful to Dr. Steven Buzinski and Emily Dolegowski for their dedication to me and the rest of the 2024 fall cohort. Their mentorship and encouragement have instilled in me a newfound confidence, making this journey incredibly fulfilling. I am excited to continue working with the NERD Lab to complete and present my semester-long project!
Commentaires