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Jada F

- Research Program Mentor

PhD candidate at Columbia University

Expertise

Clinical psychology, Sexuality, Racial and Gender Discrimination, Mental Health, Social Justice Issues, Maternal Psychology,

Bio

Hi everyone!!! My name is Jada. I was born in Northampton, MA, but my family moved to the city of Philadelphia when I was a baby and have been raised in the city ever since. I returned to Northampton to complete my undergraduate degree at Smith College. I obtained my BA in Psychology and Africana Studies. As a student of an all women’s college, I was immersed within the feminist perspective of understanding the importance of gender’s nuance in society. Throughout the years, I developed a particular interest in understanding the psychological impact of race and gender on the well-being of individuals concerning suicide behavior, specifically within the African American community. At Columbia University, I am investigating suicide initiation and behavior within the African American community through a clinical research perspective, specifically focusing on the relationship between cultural aspects/history, methodology, and prevention tactics. In my personal life, I am a huge foodie. I love trying new restaurants and food throughout the city, especially brunch. I additionally love to travel, listening to music, and exploring different museums. I used to love going to the movies. I enjoy the experience of sitting in the movie theater while eating expensive popcorn, so I am sad movie theaters not doing well during the pandemic. Another fact is that I am slightly obsessed with Beyoncé. I love her music, visual albums, concerts, and pretty much everything about her. I am very excited and grateful to be a part of Polygence mentorship. I wish this program was available when I was in high school. It is a great opportunity to work together to expand and progress the research field. I am very excited to meet and work with my mentees on some amazing research projects!

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.

Suicide in the African American community

Historically, suicidality among African Americans has represented one of the lowest suicide rates of any ethnic group in the United States, ranking as the 16th leading cause of death among African Americans (Walker, 2007). In the past decade, however, suicidal behavior has increased significantly such that suicide deaths among Black youths have nearly doubled from a rate of 2.55 per 100,000 in 2007 to 4.82 per 100,000 in 2017 (The Congressional Black Caucus, 2019). The proposed project draws attention to suicide deaths among African Americans, focusing on racially insensitive, anti-Black suicide assessments, misdiagnosis, and misclassification of suicide deaths. This phenomenon warrants attention to enhance our knowledge of suicidality within the African American community, with the intent to improve prevention interventions to be unique to Black suicidal individuals.

Teaching experience

I was an After School Teacher for 2 years at The School at Columbia University in New York, NY. I taught a 3rd, 4th, and 5th grade after-school homework and craft courses. Additionally, I am involved in Women in Science at Columbia University mentorship program in which I mentor female undergraduate students who are interested in STEM.

Credentials

Work experience

Columbia University (2018 - 2020)
Research Assistant in Culture, Stigma, and Psychosis Lab
Mount Sinai Beth Israel Hospital (2018 - 2020)
Research Assistant in Suicide Lab
Columbia University (2019 - 2020)
Research Assistant in Intra-racial Microaggression Study

Education

Smith College
BA Bachelor of Arts (2018)
Psychology and Africana Studies
Columbia University
MA Master of Arts
Clinical Psychology with a certification in Sexuality, Women, and Gender
Columbia University
PhD Doctor of Philosophy candidate
Clinical Psychology

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