Ember Wood is a rising senior at the University of Michigan majoring in Psychology with minors in Spanish and Community Action & Social Change. Motivated by personal experiences witnessing mental health challenges and stigma in her community, she became passionate about addressing the lack of culturally sensitive resources for communities of color. Through the CCGMH internship, she explored global mental health perspectives, gaining insight into how Westernized approaches often exclude marginalized populations.
Under the mentorship of Dr. Charles Lea and Kevonyah Edwards, Ember contributed to qualitative research on the experiences of transition-age Black men with histories of incarceration. Her responsibilities included cleaning transcripts, coding using Dedoose, memo writing, participating in team discussions, and collaborating on a literature review related to racism, incarceration, and healing-centered interventions. These tasks deepened her analytical skills and commitment to culturally relevant research practices.
The internship expanded Ember’s understanding of behavioral health equity, allowed her to engage with global professionals, and confirmed her goal of pursuing an MSW. She is excited to continue her research with Dr. Lea, and eventually, become a clinical social worker focused on serving marginalized communities through culturally grounded, community-driven care.