The Karen M. Gil Internship has selected 11 interns for the Spring 2018 semester! Keep reading to learn a little more about this great group!
Burroughs, Melissa
Class of 2019
Clinical Psychology Intern
Bowles Center for Alcohol Studies
melburr@live.unc.edu
Melissa is a junior from Charlotte, North Carolina majoring in Psychology with a minor in Neuroscience. She is particularly interested in neural underpinnings of behaviors including addictions and other psychiatric illnesses. For the past year, she has worked as a research assistant in Dr. Eva Telzer’s Developmental Social Neuroscience Lab, which focuses on examining aspects of healthy development in teenagers and young adults using neuroimaging techniques. After completing her undergraduate studies, she hopes to obtain a Ph.D. in Psychology or Neuroscience.
Cheever, Chris
Class of 2019
Behavioral and Integrative Neuroscience and Cognitive Psychology Intern
Greenbrook TMS Neurohealth Center
ray9@live.unc.edu
Chris is a junior Psychology major from Henderson, North Carolina. He is interested in psychophysiology, specifically autonomic responses to stress. For the past year, he had the pleasure to work in the Brain Body Center for Psychophysiology and Bioengineering, where he studied how physiological and neurological processes moderate anxiety. He is passionate about mental healthcare services, and he managed the creation of a mental health app for UNC Counseling and Psychological Services (CAPS) that is available to all UNC students. After graduation, he plans to go to medical school in the hopes of becoming a psychiatrist. Outside of his studies, Chris is an avid Carolina sports fan and enjoys biking.
Choi, David
Class of 2018
Clinical Psychology Intern
3-C Family Services, P.A.
choidd@live.unc.edu
David is a senior Psychology and Neuroscience major with minors in Creative Writing and Medicine, Literature, and Culture. He identifies as a queer Asian American and 2nd generation Korean American. David’s research interests include cultural humility and competency in clinical treatment, especially with Asian American and LGBTQ+ identifying populations, as well as mood disorders and suicidality. In his free time, David enjoys reading Korean and Asian American literature and writing short stories.
Court-Reuss, Nicole
Class of 2018
Social Psychology Intern
Polk Correctional Institution
nicolecr@live.unc.edu
Nicole is a senior from Miami, Florida, majoring in Psychology with a Neuroscience minor. Nicole is currently a research assistant and project manager in Dr. Steve Buzinski’s Self-Regulation Lab where her efforts over the past year and a half have focused on projects such as investigating the effect of restrictive conditions and implementation intentions on goal oriented behavior. After taking Dr. Desiree Griffin’s class on Psychology and Law, Nicole discovered her passion for Forensic Psychology and now aspires to be able to combine her skills and knowledge in psychology and neuroscience to better understand why and how individuals commit crimes from a psychological perspective, and better represent those suffering from mental illness within the justice system. After completing her undergraduate studies, Nicole plans to pursue a Ph.D. in Forensic Psychology.
Findley, Abby
Class of 2018
Social Psychology Intern
Innovation Research and Training
abbymae@email.unc.edu
Abby is a senior Psychology and Public Policy major from Fuquay-Varina, North Carolina. During her undergraduate years, she has researched peer relations issues, depression, body image, and the dissemination of psychological knowledge. She is currently a research assistant in Dr. Mitch Prinstein’s Peer Relations Lab and has conducted work alongside Dr. Eric Youngstrom’s Mood, Emotions, and Child Clinical Assessment (MECCA) lab. She is interested in the intersection between psychology, public policy, and public health, especially with child and adolescent issues. After graduating, she plans to pursue a graduate degree in either psychology or public health.
Foster, Miranda
Class of 2018
Clinical Psychology Intern
UNC TEACCH Autism Program
mirandaf@live.unc.edu
Miranda is a senior from Raleigh, North Carolina and is majoring in Psychology (B.S.) with two minors in Chemistry and Neuroscience. After volunteering at the Center of Developmental Science under Dr. Andrea Hussong, she developed a passion for conducting research. Since then, Miranda has further developed this interest by investigating Academic Motivation in Native American students with Dr. Beth Kurtz-Costes and emotional dysregulation with neuroimaging techniques under Dr. Margaret Sheridan. After graduating, she hopes to obtain a Ph.D. in Clinical Neuropsychology.
Hennigan, Kathrin
Class of 2018
Clinical Psychology Intern
UNC Center of Excellence for Eating Disorders
kathrinh@live.unc.edu
Kathrin is a senior from Kitty Hawk, North Carolina majoring in Psychology with a minor in Neuroscience. She is interested in the similarities between anorexia nervosa and autism spectrum disorders and, specifically, in the implications of the intersection of these disorders on the treatment of anorexia nervosa. Over the course of her undergraduate career, Kathrin has volunteered as a research assistant in both clinical and social psychology laboratories. Currently, she works in Dr. Anna Bardone-Cone’s laboratory for eating disorder research. She also spent a semester interning in London at a community mental health clinic. After graduating, Kathrin plans to pursue a Ph.D. in Clinical Psychology.
Lanier, Megan
Class of 2019
Clinical Psychology Intern
Lepage Associates
megankat@live.unc.edu
Megan is a junior from Gastonia, North Carolina majoring in Psychology with a minor in Neuroscience. She is primarily interested in the development and maintenance of Obsessive-Compulsive and Related Disorders, as well as Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder. She works as a research assistant in Dr. Jonathan Abramowitz’s Stress and Anxiety Lab, where she investigated the role of safety behaviors in exposure and response prevention therapy. Megan enjoys attending Carolina Neuroscience Club meetings and supporting Carolina Athletics as a Marching Tar Heel. Following graduation, she plans to gain additional research experience before pursuing a Ph.D. in Clinical Psychology.
Marrero, Isabel
Class of 2018
Behavioral and Integrative Neuroscience Intern
NeuroPlus
isabel18@live.unc.edu
Isabel is a senior double-majoring in Biology and Psychology and minoring in Neuroscience. For the past three years, she has conducted research in Dr. Todd Thiele’s laboratory. She studies addictive behavior in animal models and researches binge-like ethanol consumption in mice, focusing on the medial prefrontal cortex. Isabel has known that she was interested in pursuing a career in psychology since she took AP Psychology in high school and fell in love with the human brain. Isabel is excited to be a Gil Intern because she is looking forward to working for a company that combines neuroscience with technology.
Mathew, Victoria
Class of 2019
Clinical Psychology Intern
Freedom House
janev@live.unc.edu
Victoria is junior from Wilmington, North Carolina, majoring in Psychology. This summer, she interned with Church Hills Activities and Tutoring Center where she discovered her love for child psychology. Currently, Victoria is completing a research seminar at UNC looking at tolerance and how to foster its perpetuation, especially on college campuses. While her research interests may seem disparate, Victoria is guided primarily by a desire to help people. To capitalize on these instincts, she plans to pursue a graduate degree in clinical psychology after teaching English for a year in South Korea. Next year, she will be working as a childcare assistant in Dr. Deborah Jones’ Tantrum Tamers laboratory in addition to completing the Karen M. Gil Internship.
Waldron, Shelby
Class of 2018
Clinical Psychology Intern
UNC Carolina Institute for Developmental Disabilities
shelbylw@live.unc.edu
Shelby is a senior Psychology and Exercise and Sport Science double major from Tampa, Florida. She is interested in developmental psychology, especially how intellectual and developmental disabilities impact individuals’ motor, social and emotional, and cognitive development. Shelby aspires to be a pediatric occupational therapist after graduation. An interesting fact about her is that she works with retired NFL athletes through the UNC Brain and Body Health Program, in collaboration with the NFL Trust.
