From Conn to clinical research

Megan double majored in psychology and human development at Conn, blending her academic interests with hands-on community work. She was a scholar in the Holleran Center’s Program in Community Action, where she organized a food pantry and developed advocacy programs for the Hispanic Alliance of Southeastern Connecticut.

The Melrose, Massachusetts, native also served as a drug prevention intern with the Office of Wellbeing and Health Promotion for three years, gaining experience in health advocacy and education.

After an internship at Brigham and Women’s Hospital, Megan knew she wanted to continue research in a hospital setting, and she received a full-time offer from Mass General in June. Her days begin with “a coffee in hand, always,” she says, and her work includes research meetings with physicians and psychologists, patient visits, patient recruitment, chart reviews and data analysis.

“I co-lead a heart failure trial. There’s also a smaller pilot study I’m on that tests the [positive psychology and motivational interviewing] interventions for people who have had bariatric surgery and are now on different weight loss medications. We want to see if we can mitigate the elevated anxiety, stress and depression risk factors often present after surgery.”

Mentorship That Made a Difference

Megan credits Conn’s Psychology Department faculty with shaping her career path. Professors Jefferson Singer and Audrey Zakriski provided guidance on research, thesis development and the graduate school process.

“Professor Singer helped me create a strong thesis grounded in multiple clinical and health psychology theories. He was also instrumental in guiding me through the job application process,” Megan says. “Professor Zakriski is very up to date on all things clinical psych. I took ‘Advanced Clinical Psychology’ and a clinical psych practicum with her, so she was a mentor for my senior year. Having close professor relationships was very helpful.”

Looking ahead: Graduate school

Megan’s contract at Mass General lasts two years, giving her time to strengthen her research portfolio before applying to graduate school in clinical psychology.