MPH student Samantha Rosenberg is currently working for the Department of Psychology's Brain Aging and Cognitive Health Lab at Pitt. The lab is focused on healthy aging and specifically on how regular physical activity relates to changes in cognitive health and overall well-being among older adults. Rosenberg is the lead recruiter for three of the research studies and heavily involved with community-outreach efforts. Recently, the lab’s focus has been to enhance the diversity among study participants with increased efforts to recruit individuals from underrepresented minority communities. Over the last year, the lab has had to adapt a lot of the recruitment strategies due to the pandemic, especially because it targets the groups who’ve been hit the hardest. It’s been a challenge, but Rosenberg really enjoys listening to community members’ stories and taking in feedback.
What are you passionate about?
I’m very interested in working in the mental health field to increase the accessibility of resources and reduce the stigmatization surrounding mental health conditions. While there has definitely been a cultural shift over the last few years to talking more openly about mental well being, there is still a major disparity of resources among communities. There needs to be greater investment into getting mental health counselors into underserved communities, and educating the youth about psychological disorders. I believe that starting these conversations at an early age will contribute to reducing the stigma, and it will help individuals be better equipped to identify signs of emotional stress in themselves and others.
What is your favorite class or one which you are really looking forward
I really enjoyed Intro to Community Health with Dr. Terry last fall. It was my first semester, and it was great to hit the ground running right into the topics I’m most interested in. Despite the challenges of online learning, Dr. Terry kept the class engaging with lots of class discussions and fun activities. Most memorably, Dr. Terry took us on a (socially-distanced) walking tour of the Friendship neighborhood; it was so refreshing to have class outside and to hear about Dr. Terry’s own involvement with her community group.
11/15/2021