About me
I am a second-generation Vietnamese Canadian and a first-generation student. I was born and raised in Windsor, ON, where I have chosen to pursue postsecondary education and continue my graduate training.
My academic journey has not been linear. During my undergraduate experience, I was mainly unaware of research. Toward my third year in the program, I was hired as a research assistant for a Ph.D. student. I concluded that I loved research and opted to earn the necessary credits for the honours degree. I worked closely with Dr. Kathryn Lafreniere and completed my B.A. (Honours Psychology) in 2016.
After earning my B.A., I was unsure about the prospects of graduate school. As a first-generation student, navigating the waters of applying to grad school was confusing. And honestly, I didn’t fully understand what grad school was. So, I took 1.5 years off to work part-time at Best Buy. During my time off, I stayed connected with Dr. Lafreniere and realized that the path I wanted to pursue was research. I started graduate school in 2018.
In 2021, I earned my M.A. in Applied Social Psychology at the University of Windsor. My master’s thesis was on generational differences in bicultural stress between second—and third-generation Canadians. You can read my thesis here.
As of now, I am a Ph.D. candidate in Applied Social Psychology. I am currently working on my dissertation and seeking internship opportunities.
Awards & recognitions
2024 - Present SSHRC Doctoral Awards, Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council (SSHRC), $80,000 ($40,000 annually for 2 years)
2024 Dr. Ross Paul Scholarship, University of Windsor, Windsor, ON., $1,000
2023 - Present Doctoral Entrance Scholarship, University of Windsor, Windsor, ON., $30,000 ($7,500 annually for 4 years)
2023 Black, Indigenous, Racialized Student Award, Community Psychology Section of Canadian Psychological Association, $100
2019 - 2020 Ontario Graduate Scholarship (OGS), Faculty of Graduate Studies, University of Windsor, $15,000
2019 James Molnar Scholarship Endowment Award, University of Windsor, Windsor, ON., $500
2018 Graduate Entrance Scholarship (Master’s), University of Windsor, Windsor, ON., $7,500
2016 Graduated with Distinction; cumulative average of 80% - 89.9%
2014 Dean’s Honour Roll, FAHSS, University of Windsor
2013 Dean’s Honour Roll, FAHSS, University of Windsor
2013 Recognition of Achievement Scholarship, University of Windsor
2011 – 2013 Renewable Entrance Scholarship, University of Windsor
More about me…
Besides being a full-time doctoral student, I am also a part-time employee at Best Buy. I have been working there for almost nine years. I’ve always treated my job as a break from grad school. Best Buy has introduced me to many opportunities for learning that I would not have gained anywhere else. The people I have worked with inspire my pursuit of research. Is it stressful working and being a full-time doctoral student? Yes. Do I enjoy it, though? Most of the time.
I have several hobbies, and I am terrible at dividing my time between them. I tend to stop one hobby and focus on a different one. I don’t know why I do that, but I do.
I enjoy video games because they keep me social with my friends. Although I grew up playing different FPS games, I keep returning to Overwatch. I main support roles.
I crochet and craft a lot. I make plush toys that I tend to give away. More recently, I started cross-stitching and crocheting baby blankets, and it’s been pretty fun. Eventually, I will try to learn embroidery again.
I love watching anime and reading manga. I grew up watching anime with my dad and siblings, and it became something I loved doing. I sometimes get impatient, so I start reading the manga if the series hasn’t been animated yet. My favourite series of all time is Yoshihiro Togashi’s Hunter X Hunter.
I also love going to the gym, lifting weights, and taking long walks around the trails. Physical activity helps me keep my mind and body healthy.
I am currently obsessed with houseplants. I started with various succulents, like moon cactus, jade, tiger aloe, haworthia, and echeverias. I also have tropical plants, such as a philodendron birkin, ZZ plants, an orchid, a monstera, a pothos, a snake plant, a peace lily, a Chinese evergreen, and an inch plant. I have a habit of researching how to care for them and, unfortunately, care for them too hard.
