Justin Misurell

What skills did you gain that you found to be advantageous from being part of the group?
In the days I was involved in Dr. Aiello’s Research Lab I was wholly ignorant to the research process and my experience with the team opened my eyes to all that the world of experimental psychology offers.  Particularly, I gained a first hand look into the design of research projects from the ground floor, learned how to conduct large scale literature reviews and library searches, had the opportunity to implement experiments with human participants and discovered the rudiments of data entry and statistical analysis.  The research experience I acquired that year provided me with invaluable skills and an added dimension to my CV, which proved to be very helpful when applying to graduate school.  

What have you been doing since you graduated?
Following graduation, I acquired a job as a case manager for Easter Seals, NJ where I provided numerous services for individuals with serious mental illness living in the community.  In 2004, I entered the clinical psychology doctoral program at Fordham University in the Bronx and have held clinical externship positions at the Addiction Institute of New York at St. Luke’s-Roosevelt Hospital and the Metro Regional Diagnostic and Treatment Center at Newark Beth Israel Medical Center.  

What are you doing now?
Currently, I am completing the fifth year of my program and am conducting doctoral research on the clinical efficacy of a Game Based Cognitive-Behavioral group therapy program for children who have been abused.  I intend to defend my dissertation in September 2009.  My doctorate will be completed following my clinical internship at Trinitas Medical Center in Elizabeth, NJ in the Spring of 2010.