Laura Hernandez
Positions
Doctoral Student
Contact information
Web presence
Background
Educational Background
BA (Hons.) Psychology, University of Calgary, 2019
BFA Visual Studies, University of Calgary, 2019
MSc Clinical Psychology, University of Calgary, 2024
Biography
Laura is a PhD student in Clinical Psychology at the University of Calgary. During her undergraduate studies, she earned a double major: a BFA in Visual Studies with distinction and a BA (Hons) in Psychology (First Class). Her Honours thesis focused on romantic relationship satisfaction and its association with sleep among undergraduates. She then worked as a research assistant for the Calgary Critical Care Research Network, contributing to several projects in critical care medicine. Afterwards, Laura completed her master’s degree in clinical psychology with the Behavioural Medicine laboratory, researching predictors and outcomes of significant improvements in anxiety and depression symptoms among cardiac rehabilitation patients.
Broadly, Laura is interested in health psychology, behavioural medicine, chronic illness (e.g., cardiovascular disease, cancer), and health equity. In attending conferences, Laura became aware of the biopsychosocial-spiritual/cultural factors that interact with health and well-being, as well as the different experiences of equity-deserving communities living with chronic conditions and their underrepresentation in research. As such, Laura’s dissertation in the Carlson lab will focus on psychedelic-assisted therapies within oncological care, focusing on cultural set and setting, cultural responsiveness, and perspectives of underrepresented groups.
Laura’s previous clinical experiences have involved practicum placements at the University of Calgary Psychology Clinic, the Chronic Pain Centre at the Richmond Road Diagnostic and Treatment Centre, and the Regional Psychological Assessment Service (RPAS) at the Sheldon M. Chumir Centre.
Awards
- Canadian Institutes of Health Research (CIHR) Canada Graduate Scholarships Master's Award, Canadian Institutes of Health Research. 2022
- Distinguished Doctoral Recruitment Scholarship, University of Calgary. 2024
- Canadian Behavioural Interventions Trial Network Scholar's Program, Canadian Behavioural Interventions Trial Network. 2021
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