Student Spotlight April 2016
Danielle Henderson
Danielle has a Bachelor of Arts degree in Chemistry, with minors in Music and German, from Indiana State University in Terre Haute, IN. She also has a Bachelor of Science degree in Psychology from the University of Louisville. Danielle has already completed and successfully defended her dissertation in Clinical Psychology and is now working to finish her degree by completing her 1 year internship requirement.
I came to the University of Louisville to continue my education.
While in graduate school, I have worked in the Neurodevelopmental Sciences Lab with my mentor, Dr. Carolyn Mervis. In the Lab, we work with individuals with 7q11.23 deletions or duplications. I became interested in working with these individuals and their families after working as a research analyst in the Lab and learning about their unique experiences and needs.
Research has shown that there are relations between how a parent interacts with his/her child and the child’s outcome; for example, children whose parents are rated as having a positive interaction style perform better on measures of intellectual and language abilities. In my research, I am interested in the relations between the interaction style of mothers of children with Williams syndrome and child language abilities.
Prior to beginning my graduate studies, I worked with Dr. Mervis for one year. I really enjoyed the work she was doing, so when I decided I was ready to pursue graduate studies, I chose to continue working with her.
I am not sure if I can predict how my advanced degree will change my role in society…I do know that I will be the first in my family to earn a Ph.D. I also know that earning this advanced degree will allow me to feel confident in achieving any future goals or aspirations.
I aspire to work as a clinical psychologist at an academic teaching hospital, administering assessments and therapeutic interventions to individuals throughout the lifespan and supervising graduate students.
I’m most proud of having defended my dissertation and matching to a pre-doctoral internship. I am also proud that I have many lifelong and fulfilling friendships.
I have enjoyed being in an environment that has challenged me academically and has taught me to think critically. I have also enjoyed having the opportunity to attend lectures by nationally and internationally renowned speakers on diverse topics.
I cannot speak for others, but I know my biggest challenge as a graduate student has been having the confidence in myself to successfully complete program milestones. Seeking out and fostering supportive and encouraging relationships has been critical in overcoming this challenge.
Favorite book: A People’s History of the United States by Howard Zinn
Favorite quote: "No man is a failure who has friends." ~Clarence the Angel in "It's A Wonderful Life"
If you weren’t in graduate school, what would you be doing now? I’m not sure…perhaps teaching middle school or high school.