University Medalist
Kelly Christie having obtained her BA Honours in psychology will continue on with the department’s MA program. Christie was attracted to the research opportunities available in the field.
“I am interested in studying and understanding differences in human behaviour and responses to stress,” said Christie. “My honours degree has helped me to develop valuable study and research skills, and has prepared me to continue with graduate studies.”
Christie has secured a SSHRC Canada Graduate Scholarship for 2006-2007. Hymie Anisman, director of the Institute of Neuroscience and Kim Matheson, professor of psychology, will supervise Christie while she works on her MA.
Senate Medalists
Rachel Bennett obtained her BA Honours in psychology. Originally enrolled in the Department of Science’s biology program, Bennett became interested in neuroscience in her second year. Her commitment to the field deepened after she took a course in health psychology.
“What I enjoyed the most from the psychology program was the breadth of subjects within the field. It allowed for variation within my degree, as well as a certain amount of specialization,” said Bennett.
A volunteer for the Canadian Cancer Society at the Ottawa Regional Cancer Centre at the Civic campus of the Ottawa Hospital, Bennett’s interest lies in health and wellness and in particular what she describes as a need for education within the health-care system. This has lead her to pursue her next course of study. This fall, she will continue her education at Carleton, in the program in which she had started – biology.
She hopes to continue on to medical school and envisions a career as a family physician in an under-serviced or rural area.
Brook Fletcher channelled her interest in human behaviour, education and child development into a BA Honours in psychology. She was particularly focused on clinical child psychology and concentrated her courses in issues that affect children’s development. These ranged from the impact teachers and parents had on children to their adjustment to school, to the treatment of emotional, behavioural and clinical disorders.
This fall, Fletcher will pursue graduate studies at the Ontario Institute for Studies in Education of the University of Toronto (OISE/UT). She intends to complete her Masters and PhD in school and clinical child psychology. In the longer-term, Fletcher envisions opening a private clinical practice, and provide resources for parents and teachers dealing with child psychopathology and behavioural disorders.
Meredith Parker began her studies at Carleton in psychiatry. However, as she progressed through her pre-med she discovered her interest lay less in the medical psychiatry, than in its theoretical and therapeutic aspects. This revelation along with an interest in forensics prompted her to switch to forensic psychology.
“Once I got into the program, I realised that was not at all what I expected it be like — Clarice in Silence of the Lambs,” said Parker. “I was surprised and thrilled to realize that although that was one, small part of forensic psychology, I enjoyed the rest even more.”
She enjoyed the diversity of topics offered within the forensic program and appreciated the freedom students were given to explore on their own.
This autumn, Parker will return to Carleton to take additional classes, conduct self-directed study and further the research she based her thesis on. She hopes to later pursue a PhD in clinical psychology at the University of Ottawa, focusing on forensic psychology issues, and working with domestic, violent and sexual offenders, as well as with suicide prevention efforts
Jeff Petermann has obtained his BA in psychology. Petermann enrolled in the program because he was interested in observing human behaviour, not just those of his peers, but of his professors, and other individuals he encounters. He also discovered a lot about himself during the course of his studies.
“It has helped me understand how I function and how I can modify my behaviour so that I can become a better person and reach my potential,” said Petermann. “I found that every course added a bit more knowledge in me understanding myself.”
Although he is not planning on pursuing graduate studies in psychology, he is completing research funded by a NSERC USRA grant.
This September, Petermann will switch tacks and focus on his undergraduate degree in business. After completing the undergrad requirements, he hopes to pursue an MBA at Carleton. He doesn’t rule out further education. Another field he expresses an interest in is law, particularly the research aspect of the profession.
Other Senate Medalists Include:
Matthew James Dann, BA Honours, Psychology
Shannon Heather Bennett, BA Honours, Psychology
Angela Leanne Wilson, BA Honours, Psychology
Janice McGrath, BA Honours, Psychology
Sarah Bannoff, BA Honours, Psychology
John Thomas Ecker, BA Honours, Psychology
Danielle Irene Lithwick, BA, Psychology
Natalie Brulotte, BA Honours, Psychology