mldimler@suffolk.edu

My name is Mallory Dimler and I am a first year graduate student. I received my BA in psychology, summa cum laude, from The College of New Jersey in May 2007. My research interests include factors that contribute to the development of eating disorders and body dysmorphic disorder in individuals of culturally and/or racially diverse backgrounds, acculturation and enculturation, the effects of bullying and relational aggression, and cross cultural differences in the experience of emotion. I am in the process of planning my ERP project in which I hope to investigate the effects of internalizing negative feelings toward one’s own skin color, especially in relation to eating patterns and other body-related issues.

As an undergraduate at TCNJ, I had the opportunity to gain excellent research and clinical experiences. First, as a member of the Trenton Youth Community Based Research Corps, I was involved in a project that observed and assessed the effectiveness of an anti-bullying program held in a public school in Trenton, NJ. My research team and I submitted a comprehensive evaluation of the program in order to argue for additional funding. Additionally, I was a research assistant for the TCNJ Culture and Emotion lab. I conducted a Senior Honors Thesis project entitled "Pride and Its Connection to One’s Sense of Self." Last, I was a CONTACT Hotline Specialist, a Psi Chi Mentor, and an intern for the Eating Disorders Unit at the University Medical Center at Princeton.

Overall, it is my strong belief that it is our responsibility as professionals within the field of psychology to reach out to all populations within our society and to extend our knowledge, effort, and compassion to them. Often, academic researchers and clinicians work with populations who are most easily accessible, such as college students, or whom possess the resources to actively seek services. Therefore, there are certain populations that are often neglected, and it is time that we begin seeking them and addressing their needs. In terms of my personal career goals, it is my strong desire to dedicate the majority of my career to doing so.