Dr. Brooke Ammerman – Information for Prospective Graduate Students
Website: Forthcoming
Current research: Broadly, research in the lab aims to improve the identification, prediction, and reduction of risk for self-injurious thoughts and behaviors (SITB; i.e., nonsuicidal self-injury; suicidal thinking; suicide attempts). More specifically, we are interested in improving risk prediction by focusing on experiences that occur in minutes, hours, and days prior to a SITB via laboratory-based and intensive longitudinal study designs. By providing a more granular understanding of factors that are directly linked to real-time fluctuations in SITB risk, we can translate these findings to improve SITB risk assessments and develop effective, and scalable, prevention and intervention efforts. My Google Scholar profile is a good resource to review recent publications, including those by students in the lab.
Communication Prior to Applying: It is my policy to not have video calls/meetings with prospective students prior to the application process. I also don’t prioritize applications from prospective students who have contacted me prior to applying. This is for reasons of fairness – in particular to ensure that I’m able to read every application that I receive with an open mind and from the same initial starting point. That said, if there are questions about my research or lab that you have that would be helpful to have answered as you prepare your application, I’m certainly happy to answer them via email at baammerman@wisc.edu, especially since my UW lab website is still forthcoming. If you have questions about completing/submitting the UW Madison Psychology Department application itself, the best person to contact is our graduate coordinator, kbelt@psych.wisc.edu
Areas I’m Willing to Advise Students in: Clinical
How I Evaluate Applicants: Like all faculty members in the Psychology Department, I evaluate prospective graduate students in a holistic manner. I therefore consider all the possible ways in which students’ applications materials can demonstrate excellence and a strong likelihood to thrive in the graduate program and in my lab. As such, the information below highlights some of attributes that I look for among applicants; they should be treated as general rules of thumb rather than a highly proscriptive “checklist” that candidates must have in order to be considered for admittance to my lab.
Most successful applicants have had previous research experience – for example, as a research assistant in a psychology lab (or a related field). More competitive applicants have typically also conducted some type of independent research, whether a senior thesis, a summer independent research project, etc. However, as all students may not have the same opportunities, I also consider the extent to which applicants have sought out and taken advantage of experiences available to them. Finally, I am looking for applicants that have a strong motivation to conduct research in my lab and, specifically related to SITBs.
Other Information for Prospective Applicants: As I will be beginning at UW-Madison in Fall 2024, I will not be formally listed in the application portal. Consequently, if students wish to submit an application to work with me, please list ‘John Curtin’ within the application portal. Additionally, within your Personal Statement, please explicitly note my name as a potential advisor.