Isabella S
- Research Program Mentor
PhD candidate at University of California San Diego (UCSD)
Expertise
clinical psychology (e.g., development and treatment of psychological disorders), neuroscience (e.g., neurocircuitry of fear and stress), social and cognitive psychology
Bio
Hello! My name is Isabella Spaulding (she/hers). I am originally from Nebraska and got my BS at Tufts University where I studied Clinical Psychology and American Studies. My research in undergrad focused on the underlying biological mechanisms of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). After graduating, I moved to DC for two years to work at the National Institutes of Health in the Section on Development and Affective Neuroscience as a post-baccalaureate research fellow. Currently, I'm pursuing my doctorate in clinical psychology at the Joint Doctoral Program at San Diego State University/UC San Diego. My research interests are focused on exploring the cognitive and neurobiological mechanisms underlying mood, anxiety, and trauma disorders, and how these insights might inform the development of novel treatments. I’m also particularly interested in better understanding the impacts (e.g., biological, social) of early adversity on individuals with psychological disorders in adulthood, in an effort to identify potential treatment targets and ultimately improve outcomes for this population. In my free time, I love traveling and exploring new cities, going to the beach, gardening, and trying out new recipes! I deeply value mentorship and have been lucky to have many impactful mentors throughout my life. Please feel free to reach out if you have any questions, and I look forward to working with you!Project ideas
Abnormal psychology: the development and treatment of psychological disorders
Do you have a special interest in mental health? Are you curious why only some people develop mental health conditions and what kind of clinical care they receive if they do? In this project, students will choose one psychological disorder (e.g., Obsessive Compulsive Disorder, Generalized Anxiety Disorder) of interest, and conduct a thorough literature review of its etiology and treatment. Students will explore scientific papers on neuroimaging, novel therapeutics, patient cases, and any societal and policy level issues related to the disorder.
Conduct your own psychological experiment
Have you ever wondered if spending time on social media can impact your mood or if listening to music actually helps you study? In this project, students will learn how to design and implement their very own psychological research study. Students will start with a research question on a topic that sparks their curiosity and develop a hypothesis after conducting a review of the relevant literature. We will work together to carefully design your methods, develop a plan for data collection, and use various statistical techniques to analyze the data you collect!