Hands on research in mental health
Daphney Gaston
Interdisciplinary Studies in Human Development M.S.Ed., 2019
Before Penn GSE: Undergraduate student
After Penn GSE: Healthcare Research Analyst, Advisory Board, Washington DC
My time as a graduate student allowed me to conduct research with ISHD professors and researchers at Penn Center for Mental Health. Through these hands-on experiences, I was able to envision myself doing research in human development full time.
Q: Why did you choose to pursue a graduate degree in Human Development at Penn GSE?
A: While at Hamilton College, I majored in psychology and became interested in atypical child development and developmental disorders. My course of study in psychology was too broad, so I decided to gain a deeper understanding of human development which led me to apply to Penn GSE. The curriculum at Penn GSE fit my academic needs in comparison to other graduate programs.
Q: What was the single most important thing you learned in the ISHD program?
A: The single most important thing I learned during my ISHD program is the extent to which mental health and physical health are interconnected and impacted by environmental variables.
Q: How did your experience in the ISHD program inform your career path?
A: My time as a graduate student allowed me to conduct research with ISHD professors and researchers at Penn Center for Mental Health. Through these hands-on experiences, I was able to envision myself doing research in human development full time. My research with Penn Center for Mental Health, provided me with experience analyzing mental health care systems in the Philadelphia area.
After graduation, I will conduct qualitative research regarding population health and healthcare in the U.S. and ultimately advise hospitals and healthcare systems on best practices. Eventually, I would like to implement a system that combines primary care systems and mental health care in low income and immigrant communities.