FAQs

• What are you looking for in a prospective student?

  • • Strong applicants to the SEA Lab are passionate about one or more research areas in the lab, have a strong academic record, typically have completed prior coursework in Psychology, and have usually gained at least one year of research experience in psychology or a related field, ideally including post-baccalaureate experience and/or independent research experience (for example, through a senior thesis, poster presentations, publication experience). 

    • I am particularly interested in recruiting students focused on the following research areas: gender socialization and gendered ideologies, social and other digital media, positive youth development (e.g., mental well-being), social connection and peer relationships, sexual behavior, marginalized adolescent populations, advanced quantitative analyses, and both longitudinal and experimental methods. Admitted students will (if interested) be affiliated with the Winston National Center on Technology Use, Brain, and Psychological Development. Applicants applying to the lab must have a core interest in adolescent development; I intend to accept a student interested in pursuing a Ph.D. in Developmental Psychology. Those interested in pursuing a Ph.D. in Clinical Psychology, Social Psychology, or Quantitative Psychology may be considered if adolescent developmental processes are a core focus of their interests and they intend to seek formal joint mentorship with an advisor in one of these other disciplines.  

    • My holistic review process will include reviewing personal statements, letters of recommendation, CVs, transcripts, and other submitted materials. You may decide to discuss in your personal statement and/or ask your letter-writers to discuss on your behalf any structural barriers or unique circumstances you have experienced on your academic and career journey (e.g., first-generation status, structural and interpersonal stigma related to marginalized identities). 

    • Although I am the primary person reviewing the applications that list me as a potential mentor, the ultimate decision about whom to invite for official interview visits (and final admissions decisions) is made collectively by faculty in the specific graduate programs. 

• What is it like to work in the SEA Lab? What is your mentorship style?

  • The foremost value of the SEA Lab is that we prioritize people's holistic well-being and fostering a community of supportive relationships. I am excited to bring in students who are committed to a culture of compassion, support, inclusivity, honesty, mutual respect, and generosity. Our lab is also new and growing--we are excited about conducting rigorous research and pursuing novel ideas. Graduate students joining the SEA Lab at this stage have a rare opportunity to contribute to developing new projects and to the foundation of our community.

  • My mentorship style is flexible and responsive to mentees' needs; mentees have previously described me as warm, calm, supportive, and willing to go the extra mile to support others. Working with an early-career faculty provides incredible opportunities to be involved in the early stages of developing a lab (e.g., often more opportunities to contribute to projects, earn authorship, get more hands-on mentorship, etc.). I was my advisor's first graduate student and working with her was one of the best decisions I have ever made! When deciding whether or not to accept an offer of admission to the SEA lab, you will have the opportunity to talk to others whom I have mentored closely. 

• Do you have tips on how to apply?

  • • I highly recommend the professional resources of my colleague, Dr. Mitch Prinstein, as well as the incredible resources provided by the Next Gen Psych Scholars Program while preparing your application. 

    • Note that you do NOT have to email me in advance of submitting your application--I will review all applications holistically. However, you are welcome to email to indicate your interest/say hello or to ask questions that you cannot find the answer to online. To ensure that the review process is equitable, I will not meet with prospective applicants before the application deadline.

    • This is my first year as a professor at Carolina, so I'm learning about the process as we go! Any questions you have about the technical aspects of the admission process can likely best be answered by the incredible administrative team at UNC (see here).