Megha N
- Research Program Mentor
PhD candidate at University of California Los Angeles (UCLA)
Expertise
clinical psychology, post traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), trauma, romantic relationships
Bio
Hi! I'm Megha, a fifth-year PhD Candidate in Clinical Psychology at the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA). I am an incoming Clinical Intern at Harvard Medical School/ Massachusetts General Hospital, and I received my undergraduate degree from the University of Pennsylvania. My current research is largely focused on how experiences of stress at different stages of life impact not only our own emotions, but also the way we interact with other people. I'm particularly interested in understanding how stressful or traumatic experiences impact romantic relationship functioning. I have also contributed to a novel and growing area of research in the use of mind-body interventions such as hot yoga to treat individuals with depression or who have experienced trauma. As a clinician, I have a specific interest in working with individuals and couples who have experienced trauma or have Posttraumatic Stress Disorder. The field of Clinical Psychology allows me to merge my passion for research with my work as a clinician, and I am excited to share more about this area with students! I enjoy teaching and mentoring students on projects related to mental health broadly, including projects that examine social media, use secondary (e.g., previously collected) data, and both quantitative and qualitative projects. Outside of my research and clinical work, I love to explore the offerings of Los Angeles, from beaches, to hikes, coffee shops, and restaurants. As an East Coast native, it has been a joy to experience the unique culture of Los Angeles. I also am an avid flute and tennis player!Project ideas
A Systematic Review of Romantic Relationship Quality Measures
Researchers in the fields of clinical and social psychology use a myriad of methods to study romantic relationships, whether through self-report survey measures or observing couples in action. For students who are curious about how we study the quality of romantic relationships, we can work on a systematic review of the different methods and measurement tools that are used. Through this project, students will gain a better understanding of methodologies used to study romantic relationship, obtain hands-on experience conducting literature searches, practice synthesizing scientific data, and engaging in academic writing. Students may choose to present their findings as a scientific research paper or a research conference of interest.