PhD in Applied Psychology
Pennsylvania State University
When I returned to Malaysia from Illinois, I started the first program in undergrad psychology, was teaching and working as a Counseling Psychologist for university students.
While developing a universal intervention for substance use prevention (Addicted-2-Life), I realized there was a great need for evidence-based preventative intervention development that takes a systems perspective.
Right after the Columbine School shooting, Penn State started one of the first Prevention Research Centers. I wrote to the Founder & Director Dr Mark Greenberg and shared my interests. I shared how I was concerned by the exponential growth of mental health issues in US and Malaysia, and where psychological treatment alone wasn't going to be enough to help stem the rise. And, my interest in prevention interventions.
Coincidentally, I "stumbled" into applying for the US Fulbright award. It was a long-shot as there were so many more brilliant people in the country. By God's grace, I was successful.
I was able to use the Fulbright at Penn State to work at the Prevention Research Center while picking up a PhD in Applied Psychology (HDFS). The work gave me the opportunity to work on multi-facet & large-scale community prevention efforts (collaborating with key stakeholders), while the PhD gave me the opportunity to pursue my interests in Positive Psychology / Positive Youth Development - taking a strengths-based perspective and focusing on building protective factors while addressing risk factors within schools and communities; and learning research skills (data and assessments) for large-scale evidence-based efforts. Most of my professors were Clinical and School Psychologists.
I am so thankful for the wonderful community at Penn State (and God) that helped me achieve a top-score of a 3.95 GPA, and more importantly skills that I could use in communities, schools and organizations across the world.
While developing a universal intervention for substance use prevention (Addicted-2-Life), I realized there was a great need for evidence-based preventative intervention development that takes a systems perspective.
Right after the Columbine School shooting, Penn State started one of the first Prevention Research Centers. I wrote to the Founder & Director Dr Mark Greenberg and shared my interests. I shared how I was concerned by the exponential growth of mental health issues in US and Malaysia, and where psychological treatment alone wasn't going to be enough to help stem the rise. And, my interest in prevention interventions.
Coincidentally, I "stumbled" into applying for the US Fulbright award. It was a long-shot as there were so many more brilliant people in the country. By God's grace, I was successful.
I was able to use the Fulbright at Penn State to work at the Prevention Research Center while picking up a PhD in Applied Psychology (HDFS). The work gave me the opportunity to work on multi-facet & large-scale community prevention efforts (collaborating with key stakeholders), while the PhD gave me the opportunity to pursue my interests in Positive Psychology / Positive Youth Development - taking a strengths-based perspective and focusing on building protective factors while addressing risk factors within schools and communities; and learning research skills (data and assessments) for large-scale evidence-based efforts. Most of my professors were Clinical and School Psychologists.
I am so thankful for the wonderful community at Penn State (and God) that helped me achieve a top-score of a 3.95 GPA, and more importantly skills that I could use in communities, schools and organizations across the world.
Applied Psychology (HDFS):
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International & MultiCultural Community
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