GK Scholarships: Carmen Tessier

Golden Key is gladdened to introduce Carmen Tessier, one of Golden Key’s 2020 Graduate Scholar Award winners. Carmen earned her Bachelor’s in Psychology with a minor in Biology from the University of Alberta and is completing her Master’s in Medical Sciences – Paediatrics from the Faculty of Medicine & Dentistry, University of Alberta.

“Being awarded the 2020 Golden Key Graduate Scholar Award will fund my training and opportunity to present among experts in my research field, which I would not have been able to pursue without the award,” Carmen says. “I am grateful to be a Golden Key member and for their dedication to funding graduate students to pursue their passion and education.”

Carmen has a deep love for volunteering and found her passion through volunteering with community programs.

“I am currently enrolled in my second year of a Master of Science (MSc) in Medical Sciences research-based program,” Carmen explains. “After taking undergraduate courses such as developmental psychology and clinical and counselling psychology coupled with being involved in coaching children’s sports teams and volunteering with various community programs such as a women’s shelter, I developed a strong interest in child psychiatry and the importance of early child development. I became particularly interested in the impact of early life stress on the developmental trajectory of children.”

Carmen appreciates Golden Key providing her with the opportunity to continue her education.

“My career goals include pursuing child psychiatry with a specialization in research,” Carmen shares. “My current research explores the impacts of perinatal stress on child neurodevelopment, and this Golden Key award will allow me to fund my registration fees to apply and present my research at national and international conferences among experts in my field. Presenting at conferences offers unique networking opportunities as well as the experience of presenting scientific knowledge to the lay community. Being able to communicate to the general public is a skill that I will need as a physician and continuing researcher.”

Thank you for being a part of the Golden Key family, Carmen; we wish you the best of luck as you finish your Master’s degree!