“Given the prevalence of mental health issues in our society, psychology is important”: A Conversation with 3rd Year Student Nicole Acupinpin

(Photo provided by Nicole Acupinpin)

“I aspire to pursue a career in medicine. I believe medicine is a fitting avenue for me to understand the underlying mechanisms of the human body and apply them to a clinical setting. Somewhere along my career, I definitely want to obtain a Master’s or PhD in Neuroscience to extend my knowledge and gain experience in translational research.” ~Nicole Acupinpin

Ψ

*In the following article, TS refers to The Synapse and NA refers to Nicole Acupinpin;

TS: Could you briefly introduce yourself and why you chose to study psychology at UNB?

NA: Hello! I’m Nicole Acupinpin, my pronouns are she/her/hers. I’m in my third year and currently working towards a Bachelor of Science in Psychology with a specialization in neuroscience and a minor in Biology. I chose to study psychology at UNB-Fredericton because of the amazing things the department has to offer. Firstly, UNB-Fredericton is a close-knit community so it is easy to meet like-minded individuals. Also, there are a lot of incredible, kind professors with interesting research that we can learn much from!

TS: What is the most fascinating thing you have learned about psychology from your courses at UNB so far?

NA: Through my courses, I learned about novel research in the different fields of psychology and how psychological theories came to be. I learned in a neuropsychology course that there is still a lot that we do not understand about the brain. The brain is ever changing, which further shows the complexity of the brain - and that is what makes it fascinating!

TS: How far do you wish to pursue studies in psychology and why?

NA: After I obtain my degree in Psychology, I aspire to pursue a career in medicine. I believe medicine is a fitting avenue for me to understand the underlying mechanisms of the human body and apply them to a clinical setting. Somewhere along my career, I definitely want to obtain a Master’s or PhD in Neuroscience to extend my knowledge and gain experience in translational research (i.e. apply research findings to human contexts). I think that this career path would allow me to improve my skills in both bedside and benchwork in the lab that would further help patients and the community.

TS: If you met someone who wasn’t interested in psychology at all, what is something you would say to try and enlighten them?

NA: I would tell them that psychology is interesting because it helps us make sense of the world around us. This added layer of understanding helps us understand why people do what they do. Also, given the prevalence of mental health issues in our society, psychology is important for appropriately addressing these issues and decreasing the stigma around them. Different fields of psychology, such as clinical psychology, help increase our understanding of those who face mental disorders.

TS: Is there any discipline other than psychology that you would seriously consider pursuing? Why?

NA: Other than psychology, I would consider pursuing neuroscience. I have been interested in neuroscience ever since I was 14 because of my curiosity in the underlying mechanisms of the brain. This field delves deeper into processes that may explain things such as human behaviour or disorders.

TS: Do you have a favourite psychological film/ book/ song/ artwork/ etc? If so, which, and what do you like about it?

NA: I highly suggest reading “The Neuroscientist Who Lost Her Mind” by Barbara Lipska. This memoir talks about Dr. Lipska’s journey as a neuroscientist, how she fought cancers, and the topic of mental disorders. I love this first-person account because it shows Dr. Lipska’s resilience. She also touched on important topics on the brain and mind. This book was truly inspiring and increased my interest in the field. Ψ

Created for The Synapse by Incé Husain.