Jihanne Dumo

Clinical Psychology master's student in the Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences

Tell us a little about yourself, including what inspires you to learn and continue in your chosen field

I am an incoming Master's student in the Clinical Psychology program at Simon Fraser University. I completed my Bachelor of Science Honours degree in Psychology from the University of Northern British Columbia. I am originally from the Philippines where pursuing post-secondary education is the norm and is highly valued. Along with a familial background in which this pursuit is a common trajectory, the question has always been “What should I take in university?” I can trace back my passion for Psychology as early as middle and high school where I was doing projects on various psychopathologies. In turn, I decided to pursue Psychology in my undergrad where the diverse explanations of human behaviour continually inspired me. With gaining appreciation for both research and clinical practice through my first-hand experiences during and after my undergrad, it was the most fitting choice to pursue Clinical Psychology where I would have the opportunity to integrate both academia and clinical practice. Further, many of these previous experiences have been with children, youth, and families in northern BC where I witnessed the value and potential of fostering positive developmental trajectories in physical and mental health leading me to choose the Clinical Child track. Even more, with recognizing the lack of mental health professionals in northern BC, a place I call home, I aspire to provide support to the area in the future.

Why did you choose to come to SFU?

I chose SFU because it is a research-intensive institution with a Clinical Psychology program that follows the philosophy of the scientist-practitioner model which aligns with my values. Additionally, SFU has a comprehensive training program but also allows for specialization in a number of different fields of study (e.g., Clinical Child track, etc.). The department also houses a variety of renowned research laboratories. I was specifically drawn to Dr. Hali Kil’s research program as it aligned with my research interests.

How would you describe your research or your program to a family member?

The Clinical Psychology program includes research, clinical training, and coursework. I anticipate that it will be a rewarding and enriching experience to receive training from these different angles designed to complement one another. I am also excited to conduct research on various factors that foster positive developmental trajectories (e.g., mindfulness and emotion regulation) as well as experiences related to families with diverse cultural backgrounds (e.g., acculturation gap). I am looking forward to developing this program of research with my senior supervisor, Dr. Hali Kil.

What three (3) keywords would you use to describe your research?

Mindfulness, multicultural families, emotion regulation

How have your courses, RA-ships, TA-ships, or non-academic school experiences contributed to your academic and/or professional development?

My undergraduate degree has provided a strong foundation in psychological science. Furthermore, my experiences as a research assistant in three different laboratories, prior to starting the Clinical Psychology program, have been extremely valuable in strengthening my research skills and supporting my professional development. I was a research assistant in an experimental psychology lab in the field of behavioural neuroendocrinology, specifically studying ovarian hormones and cognition. I supported projects that involved behavioural, survey, and physiological measures, which highlighted the value of robust methodologies and multi-method approaches. In this lab, I also conducted my Honours thesis where I investigated data quality in an online study, which directed my attention to the importance of prioritizing data quality in the research process. I was also a research assistant in a community-based Health Sciences lab that studies physical activity promotion in rural communities. Projects conducted in this lab centred on direct collaboration with community leaders and members as well as children and youth in rural communities. I learned not only how enriching these partnerships can be but also the true value of hearing the voices of individuals who the research is aimed to benefit. Across these two labs, I was entrusted with leading multiple projects and mentoring junior trainees, which supported the development of my collaboration and leadership skills. I have also translated materials for the Connect Attachment Program into Tagalog/Filipino, which provided insight into advancing culturally sensitive approaches in interventions. These complementary research positions along with my initial clinical experience as a psychometrist have led and prepared me for the next steps in my academic journey as a Master's student in the Clinical Psychology program.

Have you been the recipient of any major or donor-funded awards? If so, please tell us which ones and a little about how the awards have impacted your studies and/or research

For the upcoming 2024-2025 academic year, I have been awarded the Canadian Graduate Scholarship – Master’s (CGS-M) through the Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council. It is a true honour to receive this award, and I anticipate that it will provide great support in my academic endeavours. I was also a previous recipient of the Undergraduate Student Research Award from the Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada, which has supported my research activities both during and after my undergraduate degree.

What have been the most valuable lessons you've learned along your graduate student journey (or in becoming a graduate student)?

I have learned in my undergraduate degree and my experiences as a research assistant that one can be met with a lot of unpredictability in this career path. In turn, this requires flexibility on our part. Additionally, for those times when we are faced with unexpected situations or outcomes, it is best to focus on what we can control, try our best not to dwell on what we cannot control, and recognize that it is part of the process. I have also learned the value in asking for help. Being a post-secondary student requires a strong sense of independence and self-determination, but there will be times when asking for support, guidance, or a second opinion may be the next best step.

How do you approach networking and building connections in and outside of your academic community?

Networking can be a daunting task, especially for students who are at the beginning of their academic journey, like myself. However, I believe taking advantage of existing connections (e.g., supervisors or professors) and asking to be connected to their network is one approach to expanding our own network. Attending conferences provides valuable academic experiences and many opportunities to network with other students and researchers both within and outside one’s field. Being a student who is in the early stages of one’s academic career, it can be intimidating to approach others in such settings, but based on my experiences, we are only one short introduction away from many enlightening conversations.

What are some tips for balancing your academic and personal life?

Balancing my academic and personal life is a task I am still in the process of learning. Nevertheless, time management and organization are key, which will differ from person to person. I personally like making lists and breaking down tasks to the smallest to-dos to “offload” this information from my mind. I think scheduling in “personal time” can also be an effective way to maintain this balance because I find that with academia, there is always something we can be working on or improving upon. However, it is also important to be able to step back and take some time to rest (whatever that may look like) for our own physical and mental well-being. As there will likely be countless opportunities presented to us, I believe it is also important to be aware of our limits, capabilities, and priorities.

If you could dedicate your research to anyone (past, present and/or future), who would that be and why?

I would like to dedicate my research to my family and friends who have supported me throughout this journey, and I know will continue to be by my side as I progress through the program. I would also like to dedicate my research to previous professors and mentors including Dr. Annie Duchesne, Dr. Chelsea Pelletier, Dr. Elizabete Rocha, Nicole White, Dr. William Owen, Dr. Marlene Moretti, and Dr. Taru Manyanga who have not only taken the time to impart great knowledge and wisdom but have also entrusted me with various opportunities which all led to the development of many invaluable skills and a strong research foundation. Finally, I would like to dedicate the research I will be conducting to my future collaborators and mentors, including Dr. Hali Kil.

Contact Jihanne:jihanne_dumo@sfu.ca