Brianna Baker, a graduating senior, is the recipient of the fifth annual J. Steven Reznick Award, a diversity in research award.
The purpose of the J. Steven Reznick Award for Diversity Enhancement in Psychological Research is to encourage and honor students who make a contribution to the advancement of knowledge concerning issues that face diverse populations or that are of concern to diverse populations.
Brianna received this award for her impressive record of prior research that includes serving as a research assistant in the UNC Identity and Motivation Lab; creating her own interdisciplinary major: African-American Psychological Wellness and Resiliency; and holding research appointments in developmental psychology, clinical psychology, medical sociology, population health studies, and community health research initiatives. As a Summer Research Fellow at the UNC Center for Health Equity Research, she interviewed hurricane survivors about their chronic health conditions, and for her honors thesis, she examined the influence of personal resources in conjunction with community factors on the development of post-traumatic stress following Hurricane Matthew using community-based participatory research in a predominately Black community. In addition to several research positions, this year’s recipient was selected as an undergraduate research ambassador, a role in which she facilitated a cohort of 20 undergraduate students in their pursuit of research experiences. Her nomination letter described the recipient as driven, motivated and destined for great success. Brianna was honored with the J. Steven Reznick Award at the Psychology and Neuroscience Commencement Ceremony on Sunday, May 12, 2019.