Lab Alumnae

 

 

Amanda Scott - Class of 2011

Amanda was a research assistant in the Sexual Health and Media Lab her junior and senior year at Spelman (2009-2011). Amanda graduated in 2011 from Spelman College with a B.A. in Sociology. Upon graduation, she obtained a Masters of Public Health (MPH) (2013) from Louisiana State University Health Sciences Center in New Orleans with a concentration on Behavioral and Community Health. Amanda’s research interests include HIV/AIDS across various social platforms  in the African American community. Amanda's lab experience helped combine her passions for media and sexual health and furthered her career goals. Amanda's future plans include a career in health communications and obtaining her PhD.  Amanda is currently a volunteer coordinator for a non-profit and an independent community health consultant. She lives in Charlotte, North Carolina.

Jessica Dinac - Class of 2012

Jessica Dinac is an alumna of Spelman College C' 2012 from New York. Jessica was a member of the lab since September 2010, up until she graduated in May 2012.  Following graduation, Jessica became TEFL certified to teach English as a foreign language, and worked in Shenzhen, China for a year as an English Foreign Language teacher. Currently she is a first year graduate student at New York University, pursuing her Masters degree in Human Development and Social Intervention. Her research interests include juvenile justice, intervention programs, urban environments, and minority youth.  In addition to her graduate studies, she is a research intern in a research lab at NYU working to implement interventions for young women involved in, or at risk for entry into, the juvenile justice system. The goal of her current research lab is to utilize a strengths- based, youth centered approach to target change in adolescent girls opportunity structure.  Jessica plans to pursue her doctorate degree, but in the meantime she is actively pursuing her research goals within the NYU community and New York City area. With her knowledge and hands on participation, Jessica intends to broaden her research interests with the juvenile justice system internationally.  Her experience as a lab member in the Sexual Health and Media Lab laid the foundation for her pursuit in academic research among marginalized youth.  The Sexual Health and Media Lab provided Jessica with a memorable, exciting, and valuable research experience.

 

 Shakira Burton - Class of 2011

Ms. Shakira Burton graduated from Spelman College with a B.A. in Psychology May 2011. She was a member of the Sexual Health and Media Lab for 2 years where she thoroughly enjoyed her time as a Lab Assistant. Her favorite role in the lab was working with the participants and utilizing the Biopac equipment. Shakira feels as though her experience in the lab developed her understanding of the importance of research in health and medicine. Upon graduation, Shakira moved to Washington D.C. to pursue a pre-medicine post baccalaureate program at American University. During this time she also worked as an Emergency Medicine Scribe at Virginia Hospital Center in Arlington VA. Shakira is currently at Drexel University College of Medicine's early assurance program, Drexel Pathway to Medical School (DPMS). Ms. Burton is taking medical school classes and looks to matriculate into Drexel University College of Medicine next Fall as a 1st year medical student

 

 

 Sarah Cunningham - Class of 2010

Sarah R. Cunningham graduated Magna Cum Laude and Phi Beta Kappa from Spelman College in 2010. She was a member of the Sexual Health and Media Laboratory from 2008 to 2010. From 2009 until 2010, she was sponsored by the MBRS-RISE Program. Currently, she serves as Vice-President of the Mississippi Chapter of the National Alumnae Association of Spelman College. Regarding her professional status, she is a doctoral candidate in the APA-approved, Jackson State University Clinical Psychology Ph.D. Program. Her research interests are to assess: (1) health-related quality of life and health behaviors that promote wellness among minority women with co-morbid substance use disorders and PTSD; and (2) the influence of attitude toward health on the clinical presentation of minority women with a chronic physical illness associated with substance use. She has proposed her dissertation, titled, “Change in Health Behavior as a Mediator in the Relationship between Measurement Reactivity and Self-Efficacy, Quality of Life, and Impulsivity among Female Substance Users, “ and is in the process of data collection.  She also serves as the interdisciplinary treatment liaison, a researcher and graduate clinician in the Addictions Research and Treatment (ART) Laboratory at University of Mississippi Medical Center, which is under the direction of Drs. Scott Coffey (Past Director of Psychiatry) and Julie Schmacher-Coffey (Assistant Director of the Psychology Predoctoral Internship Program).  Sarah is in the process of applying for internship at medical centers and veterans’ affairs hospitals. Her goal is to become a clinical health psychologist and administrator at a comprehensive healthcare facility.