Art Nezu Dissertation Diversity Awardee

• Tell us about your current professional roles and activities: 

I am currently a Postdoctoral Fellow in Psycho- Oncology at MD Anderson Children’s Cancer Hospital, where I provide psychological services to children, adolescents, and young adults with cancer and other complex medical conditions. My work includes inpatient and outpatient consultation, evidence-based assessment and intervention, and interdisciplinary collaboration with medical teams to support patients and their families. In addition to my clinical work, I remain actively engaged in research examining psychosocial and biological factors that contribute to health disparities among youth.

• What are your next steps professionally?

This fall, I will be joining the faculty at MD Anderson Cancer Center in the department of pediatrics as an Assistant Professor. I look forward to continuing to provide clinical care while expanding my research program focused on health equity, psychosocial factors, and improving outcomes for children and adolescents with serious medical conditions.

• What inspired the topic of your research or scholarly work?

My passion for advancing the health and well-being of underserved and marginalized communities is rooted in my commitment to understanding how systemic inequities shape health across the lifespan. As a Black woman, this work is especially meaningful to me because I have seen how structural inequities can influence opportunities, experiences, and health outcomes. These experiences have inspired my broader research agenda, which seeks to understand how race, social determinants of health, and psychosocial experiences contribute to health disparities across diverse populations. Ultimately, my goal is to generate research that not only advances scientific understanding but also informs interventions, clinical practice, and policies that promote health equity.

• Do you plan to pursue board certification? If so, in what specialty(ies)?

Yes. I plan to pursue board certification in Clinical Health Psychology. Board certification represents an important milestone in my professional development and reflects my commitment to providing the highest standard of evidence-based clinical care.

• What advice would you give to students considering a career in psychology?

Stay curious. Curiosity is one of the most valuable tools we have as psychologists. It helps us ask better questions, recognize meaningful patterns, and better understand the people we serve. At the same time, commit to being a lifelong learner. People, science, and society are constantly evolving, and effective psychologists continue to grow alongside them. If you remain curious, humble, and open to learning, you’ll be well-equipped to make a meaningful impact in both your clinical work and your research.

• What are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced in your professional journey thus far?

One of the biggest challenges I faced was transitioning from undergraduate education to graduate school. I attended Florida Memorial University, a small Historically Black College and University (HBCU), where research opportunities were more limited than at larger research-intensive institutions. As a result, I had to actively seek out experiences beyond my university to prepare for a PhD. Programs such as the National Science Foundation’s Research Experiences for Undergraduates (REU) and the NIH Postbaccalaureate Research Education Program (PREP) were instrumental in providing the mentorship, training, and research experience that laid the foundation for my career as a researcher.

That experience also shaped my commitment to increasing access and opportunity for students from under-resourced backgrounds. As a graduate student at UAB, I co-created a graduate school workshop within the Department of Psychology to demystify the PhD application process and provide practical guidance for students who may not have access to mentors or information about preparing for graduate school. The workshop was designed to meet students wherever they were in their undergraduate journey and help them build competitive applications over time.

One of the accomplishments I am most proud of is that the workshop has continued as an annual program even after my graduation. Knowing that it continues to support and empower future students is incredibly meaningful and reflects my commitment to mentorship, education, and expanding opportunities for the next generation of scholars.

• Please share any fun facts about yourself.

I love roller skating in my free time, and one of my personal goals is to become fluent in French. I’m currently about a 3 out of 10 in terms of proficiency, so I still have plenty to learn.