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Emily Junkin is a doctoral candidate at the Virginia Consortium Program in Clinical Psychology, a unique training program comprised of the Departments of Psychology at Old ��ֱ���� University and Norfolk State University. Born in Huntsville, Alabama, Junkin pursued her Bachelor of Arts in psychology at Auburn University, where she initially began her academic journey as a pre-med major. Upon completing several psychology courses, she quickly realized that the field of psychology was a better fit for her introspective, curious, and person-oriented nature. In addition to taking as many psychology electives as her schedule would allow, Junkin joined two research labs at Auburn University as an undergraduate research assistant: one that analyzed outcomes and piloted innovative interventions related to Parent-Child Interaction Therapy and another that studied college students’ alcohol and other substance use. While working in the latter, Junkin played an integral role in the data collection for a doctoral candidate’s dissertation study, which evaluated the effects of alcohol intoxication on students’ accuracy in pouring a standard alcoholic drink. Little did she know, her work on this innovative project would later inspire her own dissertation research at Old ��ֱ���� University.

By her senior year of college, Junkin knew she wanted to pursue a doctorate in clinical psychology given her passion for all areas of psychology including teaching, conducting research, and providing therapy services. Junkin learned about the Virginia Consortium Program while conducting a thorough review of clinical psychology doctoral programs across the country. She was initially drawn to the program due to the number of established substance use researchers, along with Old ��ֱ���� University’s simulated bar research laboratory. Moreover, the Consortium offered an unparalleled student experience in which training is provided across multiple diverse institutions, giving students unique access to a variety of perspectives and resources. Upon visiting Norfolk for her initial interview, Junkin was drawn to the location of the program, offering quick access to the beach, historical charm, and a sense of community.

Junkin proudly began her doctoral studies at the Virginia Consortium Program in Clinical Psychology in 2019 under the mentorship of Dr. Cathy Lau-Barraco, a Professor at Old ��ֱ���� University who established the . With the committed support of Dr. Lau-Barraco, by her third year of graduate training, Junkin had designed and implemented several diverse research projects. First, her master’s thesis project, an event-level, micro-longitudinal study, assessed consequences related to the misalignment of college students’ intended and actual drinking behaviors over a typical weekend. Second, Junkin contributed to the design and implementation of an ecological momentary assessment study that utilized advanced data collection methods to better understand alcohol and other substance use behaviors, attitudes, and outcomes as they occur in real-time. Lastly, in collaboration with fellow graduate students, Junkin initiated, designed, and implemented a two-year-long cross-sectional study evaluating population-level trends in cannabis use and outcomes among college students following the legalization of recreational cannabis use in the Commonwealth of Virginia.

Most recently, Junkin completed data collection for her dissertation study, Project Task, which is notable for being Old ��ֱ���� University’s first alcohol administration study. This novel project, which involved administering alcohol to undergraduate students in Old ��ֱ���� University’s simulated bar laboratory, explored the phenomenon of impaired control over alcohol use, which is a symptom of problematic drinking involving difficulty controlling or limiting alcohol intake. This symptom is often one of the earliest signs of problematic drinking, positioning itself as a highly targetable factor for early interventions that seek to reduce alcohol use disorders among young adults. In her future research endeavors, Junkin hopes to develop a program of research that elucidates factors related to impaired control and potential interventions for this critical risk factor.

Junkin credits her graduate school successes to Dr. Lau-Barraco’s hands-on approach to mentorship, which encouraged Junkin to make the most of the graduate student experience with the ultimate goal of being a competitive applicant on the job market. Dr. Lau-Barraco’s approach to advising consisted of a developmentally appropriate blend of high expectations and a caring interpersonal style, which helped foster Junkin’ s sense of responsibility, professional development, and perhaps most importantly, personal growth. In addition to her breadth of research experiences, Junkin obtained: strong clinical training in therapy and assessment at university counseling centers, private practices, and medical outpatient offices; supervision experience with undergraduate students at Old ��ֱ���� completing clinical internships at community placements; and vast undergraduate teaching experiences as an instructor of record at both Old ��ֱ���� and Norfolk State University. Dr. Lau-Barraco’s goal-oriented guidance and unwavering support allowed Junkin to develop the time management skills needed to navigate these multiple roles both as a graduate student and as a future professional.

Professor Lau-Barraco expressed how impactful Junkin has been as a student and budding professional: “Emily has been an exemplary student in our rigorous graduate program. It has been extremely gratifying to see Emily’s professional and personal growth during her time at ODU. She is building a very strong program of research, her clinical skills are excellent, and her academic achievements are impressive. Perhaps most importantly, Emily is a kind and considerate person. As she embarks on the next chapter of her career, her future is sure to be filled with as many successes as she has strengths. It has been a great joy to be Emily’s mentor.”

Overall, Junkin reports being extremely satisfied with her graduate school experience, which she feels contributed to her growing confidence, sense of capableness, and independence as a budding professional. Now in the last year of her doctoral training, Junkin is completing a full-time, pre-doctoral internship at the University of Delaware’s Center for Counseling and Student Development. She looks forward to her graduation, anticipated in May of 2025, and is ready to tackle the next steps of her career as a competent and skilled practitioner, researcher, and academic. To those considering graduate training through Old ��ֱ���� University or the Virginia Consortium Program in Clinical Psychology, Junkin says the experience, though challenging, will be a life changing, positive catalyst for their career and personal development.