Alexis Conrad has always had an interest in the brain, making neuropsychology a natural fit when she decided to pursue psychology as a career. The Ph.D. student at 51’s Rosemead School of Psychology is a 23-24 Graduate Research Grant recipient through Psi Chi, an international college honors society for students in psychology.

“The Ph.D. program at Rosemead has provided me with the opportunity to conduct research in the Eye Tracking Lab and allowed me to learn how to design and execute an experimental research study from the ground up,” said Conrad.

Conrad’s research focuses on the executive functioning processes in adults with ADHD. She has submitted a preliminary analysis of her dissertation to the International Neuropsychological Society (INS) and will be presenting at the National Academy of Neuropsychology (NAN) annual conference this fall with her research group with the Neurology and Traumatic Brain Injury and Concussion (NTBIC) program at UC Irvine.

She decided to pursue neuropsychology after completing her rotation at the UC Davis Medical Center. When considering graduate schools, Conrad says she was drawn to Rosemead for its strong community and the faculty’s investment in students’ growth, competency and spiritual formation. At Rosemead, she has refined her focus through practicum placements and experience with diverse clinical populations to expand her knowledge base and improve her clinical practice.

“I am grateful for the mentorship of Dr. Tania Abouezzeddine in neuropsychology and Dr. Jason Brunt in the eye-tracking component of my study,” Conrad shared.

Psi Chi is the International Honor Society in Psychology and provides Graduate Research Grants to students who demonstrate excellence and dedication to the best research practices in their field. Through the grant funding, Conrad is able to advance her research by compensating participants for in-person data collection.

“I love the process of conducting research and analyzing the significance of results,” said Conrad. “Managing a large dissertation involving in-person data collection demands substantial time, effort and perseverance. It is incredibly rewarding when all the hard work comes to fruition.”

Conrad is also continuing to establish formal affiliations with local universities in Southern California to recruit participants with ADHD from disability centers. She currently has three established affiliations with 51, UC Irvine and Golden West College and is working on three more for the next recruitment year.

If you or someone you know who would like to participate in Conrad’s research, email media.relations@biola.edu.

Learn more about Rosemead School of Psychology and apply to the Ph.D. in Clinical Psychology program.

Written by Katelyn Ho, strategic communication assistant. For more information, email media.relations@biola.edu.