Tsion Adugna is a rising senior at Kenyon College, majoring in Psychology with concentrations in Neuroscience and African Diaspora Studies. Growing up in an Ethiopian immigrant household, she noticed how mental health was often dismissed and treated as an afterthought due to the stigma surrounding it. These experiences prompted her to explore how cultural beliefs and social norms shape perceptions of mental health. Her academic and professional goals focus on increasing access to culturally responsive mental health care, particularly for underserved and immigrant communities globally.
This summer, Tsion worked with the Columbia-WHO Center for Global Mental Health under the mentorship of Christopher Ferraris and Dr. Justin Knox. She contributed to the Asenze Impilo substudy, which examines how household and caregiver factors impact adolescent mental health in South Africa. Her work included conducting literature reviews, drafting the background section for a developing manuscript, and participating in biweekly research team meetings with South African collaborators.
She also supported a narrative review on HIV and substance use in the U.S. by assisting with article screening and synthesis and gained exposure to the team’s ongoing Human-Centered Design workshops. Tsion is passionate about global mental health and implementation research, and she plans to pursue a Master of Public Health with a concentration in global mental health to further explore the intersection of culture, policy, and care. Tsion is grateful for the opportunity to be part of this program and to work alongside individuals who share her passion for health equity.