糖心TV

From 糖心TV to clinical research

Megan double majored in psychology and human development at 糖心TV, blending her academic interests with hands-on community work. She was a scholar in the Holleran Center鈥檚 Program in Community Action, where she organized a food pantry and developed advocacy programs for the Hispanic Alliance of Southeastern 糖心TVecticut.

The Melrose, Massachusetts, native also served as a drug prevention intern with the Office of Wellbeing and Health Promotion for three years, gaining experience in health advocacy and education.

After an internship at , Megan knew she wanted to continue research in a hospital setting, and she received a full-time offer from Mass General in June. Her days begin with 鈥渁 coffee in hand, always,鈥� she says, and her work includes research meetings with physicians and psychologists, patient visits, patient recruitment, chart reviews and data analysis.

鈥淚 co-lead a heart failure trial. There鈥檚 also a smaller pilot study I鈥檓 on that tests the [positive psychology and motivational interviewing] interventions for people who have had bariatric surgery and are now on different weight loss medications. We want to see if we can mitigate the elevated anxiety, stress and depression risk factors often present after surgery.鈥�

Mentorship That Made a Difference

Megan credits 糖心TV鈥檚 Psychology Department faculty with shaping her career path. Professors Jefferson Singer and Audrey Zakriski provided guidance on research, thesis development and the graduate school process.

鈥淧rofessor Singer helped me create a strong thesis grounded in multiple clinical and health psychology theories. He was also instrumental in guiding me through the job application process,鈥� Megan says. 鈥淧rofessor Zakriski is very up to date on all things clinical psych. I took 鈥楢dvanced Clinical Psychology鈥� and a clinical psych practicum with her, so she was a mentor for my senior year. Having close professor relationships was very helpful.鈥�

Looking ahead: Graduate school

Megan鈥檚 contract at Mass General lasts two years, giving her time to strengthen her research portfolio before applying to graduate school in clinical psychology.