27. From Me-search To Research: How I Turned My Lived Experience Into An Independent Research Project A Chat with Uma

On episode 27 of A Chat with Uma, I share my full experience of developing a fully independent research project inspired by my lived experience as a patient. I share the full story of how this project was born, and how this idea developed into a full research project that has resulted in presentations, awards, published abstracts, acceptance into Ph.D programs, and an upcoming publication. I discuss the experience of forging my own path as a single-author presenter as a student, and how I navigated various scenarios through this journey. I reflect on how this project provided novel avenues for my advocacy as a patient, and how I bridged my identities as a researcher, patient, & advocate as a result. This episode provides tangible tips and resources for pursuing one's own independent research project, empowering anyone listening to forge their own path and believe in what's possible for them.



Topics Discussed (+ timestamps):



(00:00:00) Checking in with ya'll!



(00:10:20) Introduction to the episode

Contextual episodes:


⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠01. My Full Story: 0 to 26⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠
⁠24. Nontraditional Students: My Experiences, Advice, & Reflections From My Nontraditional Academic Path⁠
⁠25. From College Dropout to Graduate Student: Navigating Graduate School Applications & Admissions as a Nontraditional Student⁠
⁠19. Disability Isn't A Dirty Word: The Realities of Being Disabled and Navigating Discrimination, Erasure, & Ableism⁠



(00:19:25) EVENT REPLAY: IOCDF's OCD Con 2023 Keynote Address


Link to watch
⁠⁠⁠Video + event recording repository⁠⁠⁠ of many past events



(00:21:56) UPCOMING EVENTS:


IPN Psychedelic Personal Statement Workshop: Tues. 11/7, 7pm ET | Register here
Wonderland Miami - "So, You Want To Join The Psychedelic Field?": Sat. 11/11, 3-4pm ET | Register here: code IPN20 for 20% off
ABRCMS 2023 - Navigating Disabilities in Higher Ed panel: Fri. 11/17, 11:15am | Register here



(00:25:22 ) Context & background behind the inception of my independent research project


Where I was at academically at the time
My lack of research & presentation experience at the time
My "blissful ignorance" of the process



(00:38:30) How the project developed and evolved into posters, presentations, and awards


Considering myself as a patient related to psychedelic-assisted therapy for PTSD
Realizing the gap in the literature & field
How my lived experience with comorbid OCD & PTSD inspired this research question
Getting a single-author publication abstract accepted
Winning PsychedelX 2022
Presenting posters at numerous conferences as the sole author
Winning awards and grants
Giving talks at international conferences



(01:00:25) How the project expedited my academic timeline, changed the course of my career, and contributed to getting into my Ph.D program


The difference between my "traditional" research experience versus my independent research project
How connecting with researchers at conferences inspired me to include this project in my applications
Why I ended up getting into a Ph.D program largely because of this project



(01:22:56) Key takeaways and tangible tools to develop & pursue your own independent research project





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