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Dr. Tina L. Boisseau Is Director of SOAR Lab at Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine
Meet ABCT’s Featured Lab
The SOAR Lab, located in the Department of Psychiatry & Behavioral Sciences at Northwestern University, is directed by Tina L. Boisseau, Ph.D.
We asked each of the SOAR’s ABCT members:
- What is your primary research interest?
- How has ABCT been helpful to you?
- If a student were thinking about joining ABCT, what activities would you recommend they get involved in?
Gina Belli, M.S.
- My primary research interests are identifying ways to optimize obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD) treatment and disseminating information about OCD symptoms to ensure proper diagnosis.
- ABCT has been such a helpful way to stay in touch with former colleagues and network with professionals I admire. ABCT has also been helpful in honing my presentation skills.
- I would highly recommend attending ABCT conferences if possible. Attending presentations and poster sessions is an exciting way to engage with recent research outside of manuscript writing. ABCT brings together professionals and students with varying interests in one place to share ideas and connect with each other. I also recommend attending presentations on topics that are out of your comfort zone and area of expertise.
Immanuela Obisie-Orlu, B.S.
- Broadly, I am interested in researching the development, maintenance, and treatment of OCD and anxiety disorders. I am also interested in transdiagnostic mechanisms of change during treatment, as well as adapting, improving, and disseminating effective OCD treatments for underserved populations in particular.
- Joining ABCT as an undergrad provided me with a great way to network with other students and those further along in their academic careers. I was able to learn so much by being able to attend and present at ABCT’s virtual 2021 conference. In addition, I found ABCT’s guide to getting into grad school very helpful during my applications and recommended it to anyone looking for an informative overview.
- I would definitely recommend getting involved in a Special Interest Group (SIG) of interest, as well as joining the ABCT communities to stay up to date with opportunities and happenings in the field.
Clara Law, M.A.
- Understanding factors (social, cultural, transdiagnostic, etc.) that could impact treatment access and/or treatment efficacy for those with OCD and anxiety disorders.
- I have presented at ABCT conventions for the past 2 years. The ABCT convention is one of my favorite psychology-related conventions to attend. I particularly enjoy attending the panel discussions as hearing the perspectives of various experts in the field has been very insightful for me.
Snigdha Kamarsu, B.S. (M.A. after August 2022)
- Cognition, mood, and mobile technology
3. Although not currently a member, I know that ABCT has many resources for potential PhD graduate students for clinical psychology. I’ve also appreciated the access to the special interest groups for my areas of interest. I look forward to presenting this November in their annual convention.
Alice (Yiqing) Fan, B.A. (Current Master’s student)
- Translational research on anxiety, depression, and eating disorders
Tina L. Boisseau, Ph.D.
Dr. Tina Boisseau is an Associate Professor in the Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences at Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine in Chicago, Illionois. She received her Ph.D. in Clinical Psychology from Boston University. She completed a predoctoral residency and a postdoctoral fellowship at the Alpert Medical School of Brown University and was an Assistant Professor (Research) in the Department of Psychiatry and Human Behavior at Brown before joining the faculty of Northwestern in 2018. Currently, Dr. Boisseau serves as training director for Northwestern Feinberg’s Clinical Psychology Internship Program, conducts research on obsessive-compulsive spectrum and anxiety disorders, and maintains a clinical practice focused on the treatment of OCD and anxiety disorders.
The SOAR lab strives to examine the emotional and behavioral factors that contribute to the development and maintenance of OCD and anxiety disorders. We use translational research methods to identify critical, transdiagnostic mechanisms of dysfunction and barriers to recovery with the long-term goal of improving treatment outcome for these disorders.
How long have you been a member of ABCT?
I joined ABCT as a graduate student in 2005.
How often and why do you attend the ABCT convention?
Every year – ABCT is my professional home! Attending the convention allows me to reconnect with friends and mentors, learn about the latest research, and build collaborations with other scientists. I also attend to support my students and research assistants, and I love seeing them present their work.
How do you stay current with developments in the field, both research and practice?
By reading as much as I can, serving on editorial boards, and attending research conventions like ABCT. More recently (and begrudgingly) I have started to engage more with other platforms like Twitter, which has allowed me to expand the reach of our work and find some great resources (all the stats people who post R shortcuts—thank you).
How has ABCT helped you/your lab professionally?
From a leadership standpoint, I have had the privilege of working with ABCT in a number of capacities including Institutes Chair, Workshops Chair, and as the incoming Coordinator for Convention and Continuing Education Issues. Working behind the scenes at ABCT has broadened and strengthened my professional network.
Does your lab have any traditions or do anything together for fun?
It’s all about the food. We like celebrating milestones at restaurants around the Chicagoland area.
What advice would you give prospective trainees?
Check out our lab webpage: sites.northwestern.edu/ocdanxietylab/.
To learn more about the clinical psychology programs at Northwestern Feinberg School of Medicine please visit, https://www.psychiatry.northwestern.edu/education/clinical-psychology-phd/index.html.
More generally, I would say look for people who you will enjoy working with and will help you grow professionally and personally. Define what you value and let those values be your guide.