PhD in Psychology

Sajida Yasmeen

Describe your current area of research and/or your academic interests:

My program of research is focused on preventing and treating substance use disorders in high-risk, marginalized communities by developing culturally sensitive, accessible, technology-based interventions. Further, I am interested in understanding sociocultural factors that can improve access and adherence to substance use disorder treatments in diverse communities. 

Why did you choose George Mason to pursue your studies?

I was drawn to the clinical psychology graduate program at George Mason due to its focus on providing clinical and research training that integrates scientific and contextual perspectives. This training aligns very well with my goal to engage in community-based and strength-focused research that incorporates perspective of relevant communities in understanding and addressing issues that impact these communities. Further, I was impressed by George Mason’s effort to recruit students and faculty from the diverse backgrounds. Being a recent immigrant, finding a community was extremely important to me while pursuing my graduate studies, and George Mason’s diverse study body made it easy to find a supportive community. 

Are there faculty or staff members who have made a difference thus far during your Mason career? Please give an example of this impact if possible.

My advisor and dissertation chair Dr. June Tangney has been an incredible source of support in helping me pursue my research interests that involved delving deeper into ideas outside the mainstream research in the field of substance use disorder research (e.g., role of religion) and stepping into the complicated and nascent field of technology-based interventions for substance use disorders. She helps me maintain the balance between chasing my enthusiastic ideas and remaining focused to achieve my goals and academic milestones within the time and resources available to me.

How do you hope to use your degree and studies in the future?

I hope to pursue a career integrating my clinical and research work. At my internship, I am strengthening my skills to provide treatment to people with substance use disorders (SUDs) and comorbid conditions. The insights I develop as a result of working closely with people with SUDs, in turn, inform my research work. In the future, I aspire to continue to use the knowledge and skills I acquired during my graduate training in developing effective community partnerships, drawing on a strength-focused lens, and utilizing interdisciplinary methodology to address the pressing problem of substance misuse prevention and treatment among underserved communities.

How will the Dean’s Challenge scholarship support your studies?

Last year, as part of my NSF-sponsored National Research Traineeship (NRT) fellowship, I began developing an app drawing on a widely used, evidence-based technique called mental contrasting implementation intention (MCII) to facilitate recovery from substance use disorder. Since my fellowship ended, I have been searching for support to further develop, test, and broadly disseminate such an app. I am so grateful for the Dean’s Challenge scholarship which will allow me much needed time to prepare research proposals to both NIH (e.g., an F32 application) and private foundations to continue this novel line of research to address one of our society’s most pressing problems.