About being a Vanier Scholar
What does receiving a Vanier Scholarship mean to you?
It is a great honour to be named a Vanier Scholar. It is rewarding to have my hard work and dedication in both research and community recognized at such an early stage in my academic career. This award not only empowers me to continue advancing research in women’s mental health, but also makes me grateful that others see the value in supporting this important work.
Tell us about your Vanier research.
Postpartum anxiety (PPA) affects up to 20% of mothers and often presents with both psychological and physical symptoms. Despite its potentially long-lasting effects on mothers and their infants, as few as 10% of affected mothers seek treatment. While psychological interventions are the preferred treatment approach, evidence-based options remain limited beyond Cognitive Behavioural Therapy, leaving a critical gap in care.
My research program aims to develop and evaluate the effectiveness of a mindfulness intervention for PPA. Given the overlapping psychological and somatic manifestations of anxiety, I see value in investigating the intervention’s impact using both subjective and objective measures. This will be the first study to assess the impact of a mindfulness intervention on anxiety and its associated features, including emotion regulation and interoception (i.e., bodily awareness), using both self-report and neuroimaging (fMRI) methods. Beyond assessing the intervention’s effectiveness, this research may also reveal the neural mechanisms through which mindfulness produces its effects. I am hopeful that this work will lay the foundation for a scalable, evidence-informed intervention that could improve the lives of mothers affected by PPA and their children in Canada and beyond.
About graduate student life
What inspired you to pursue a postgraduate degree?
Like many in academia, I’ve always embraced the idea of lifelong learning. I’m naturally curious and find real satisfaction in trying to make sense of unanswered questions. Specifically, I’ve long been intrigued by how the brain works and how people think and behave, particularly when psychopathology is involved, and I have a strong desire to help those affected live fulfilling and functional lives. Pursuing postgraduate studies allows me to continue asking questions and occasionally finding answers, while knowing I will likely end up with even more questions than I started with.
Why did you choose to study at McMaster?
I chose McMaster because of its strong reputation for research excellence, the psychology department’s emphasis on interdisciplinary collaboration, and McMaster’s established clinical partnerships with local hospitals. I felt confident that McMaster would provide valuable opportunities to help me achieve my research, clinical, and leadership goals.
What do you love most about your graduate program?
There are many things I appreciate about my program, but the first that comes to mind is its scientist-practitioner training model. I admire the strong research focus complemented by diverse clinical training opportunities. This balance allows me to collaborate with and receive mentorship from leading researchers and clinicians in the field of women’s mental health, making me feel thoroughly prepared to pursue a future as both a skilled researcher and clinician.
What is your favourite thing about McMaster and the broader Hamilton community?
My favourite thing about Hamilton is, hands down, all the amazing coffee shops. As someone who recently moved to the city, I would describe Hamilton as a city with immense potential and an evolving identity. One of my favourite things about McMaster’s campus is its unique balance of nature and innovation.
When you’re not busy being a graduate student, how do you like to spend your free time?
Although being a graduate student has naturally become a big part of my identity, I make it a priority to spend quality time with family and friends whenever I have the opportunity. I also enjoy reading (and a bit of people-watching) at coffee shops, working out, and watching true crime documentaries.
Beyond Grad School
What do you see as the next step in your life journey?
The motto I hope to continue embodying is “ride the wave,” which speaks to my intention to stay open to the opportunities that naturally unfold. I’ve found that I thrive in versatile environments, so I hope to bridge research, clinical work, and teaching in some capacity after graduate school. I also plan to prioritize travelling and experiencing different parts of the world once I complete my training.