Welcome

About Me

Hi! I am Vanesa Smielak, a rising junior at Florida International University. I am a passionate and motivated student pursuing a BS in Behavioral Neuroscience on a premed track. After I finish my undergraduate studies, I aspire to further pursue a Ph.D. in Clinical Psychology.  

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Outside of academics, I am a Research Assistant at the Mattfeld Lab at FIU. I am passionate about research, specifically in the field of neuropsychology, and it is something I would like to keep pursuing in the future. My area of interest includes psychiatric disorders and their treatments. Since mental health disorders have a profound impact on many individuals around the world, I intend to help elevate this matter and aid the world of innovations and research. 

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I look forward to participating in the Global Health Study Abroad and traveling to Mysore, India. I am hoping to gain valuable knowledge and experience while on my journey. I believe that this program will allow me to grow in my academic as well as in my personal life. 

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Through this study abroad, I am hoping to gain a better understanding of the effects that culture has on mental health. I am particularly interested in the difference between Western and Eastern medicine and its effects on people who suffer from mental health disorders such as depression and anxiety. My question is: Will people who suffer from mental illnesses benefit more from Eastern medicine rather than Western medicine? 

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