Mel Noel
Mel Noel
Mel Noel is currently completing her Masters degree in Science, specifically in the area of Child Development. “I have been supervised by Dr. Carole Peterson for 3 years now and I am looking at the pre-literacy skills of economically disadvantaged preschoolers and whether their attachment relationship with their mothers and the parenting stress experienced by their mothers plays a role in their narrative ability -- a very important pre-cursor for literacy.”
Born and raised in Newfoundland, Mel completed my undergraduate BSc in Psychology at Memorial. Deciding to pursue a graduate degree was never even a question for me. I always knew I'd go to graduate school because I'm a naturally curious person who soaks up learning and knowledge. I love being a student which is probably why I'm planning to do my PhD in a year after I finish my masters.”
“I chose Memorial because it is a wonderful university and I was awarded a scholarship by provincial (NLCAHR) and federal (CIHR) funding agencies for my proposed research specifically targeting children and mothers right here in Newfoundland.”
”The Psych faculty here at Memorial is wonderful. It is an eclectic and dynamic faculty that really feels like a second home for me. The research is diverse and exciting and the people are passionate about not only what they do, but their students and teaching as well. In all of the courses I have taken, there has yet to be a dull moment. My research, volunteering and learning experiences here have been fulfilling and have helped me to grow to become the person I am. I always feel valued and respected for who I am as an individual, never feeling the need to conform or dampen who I am.”
“Memorial University is a place I am proud to say I gained my first two degrees. It would be wonderful in the future if they could develop a clinical psychology PhD program so that many of us psych grads could stay and complete our education here. On the whole, I have had a wonderful 7 years here at Memorial full of rich experiences and diverse perspectives. I think that we must have some of the best professors here....and I feel fortunate to have been taught by MANY of them.”
Newfoundland and Labrador is my native province and like most other Newfoundlanders and Labradorians, I feel a strong pull to this place and a huge respect and love for the people here. While I have plans to explore other places, I know my heart will ache for home and I will always return.”
”Probably the most satisfying and inspiring component of my life outside of academia right now is my volunteer work at "Kid Club" led by Dr. Christine Arlett and Cathy Sinclair. It's an after-school therapeutic program for children aged 9-14 years who lack some of the social skills that are necessary to effectively function in life. Often many of these children are also alienated in their schools and the program provides a safe place where children with these issues can socialize with each other and have fun while working on developing these essential skills. My role as a volunteer is to firstly be a friend to the children but to also intervene at appropriate times to help the children work on goals that will help them to develop some of these necessary social skills. What started out as a volunteer position has actually become so much more. Through my work here I have grown as a person and have been inspired to pursue my PhD in clinical psychology starting in 2007. Outside of my academics, research, and volunteering I love to play guitar, explore new music, exercise 4 times a week at the Works, cook new gourmet recipes and just work on being a positive and content person who drinks up life. I am stimulated simply by trying new things, challenging myself, and meeting new people.”
Mel has been awarded fellowships from the Newfoundland and Labrador Center for Applied Health Research and the Canadian Institute of Health Research. As well, she was awarded the Academic Medal of Excellence in Psychology at convocation for her BSc.
“After I graduate, I am planning on starting my PhD in clinical psychology with a focus on children/ development in September 2007.”