OUR NEXT FEW BLOG POSTS WILL INTRODUCE OUR TEAM OF RESEARCH ASSISTANTS. WE ARE SO EXCITED FOR THEM TO BE A PART OF OUR TEAM.
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Hello All! My name is Megan Crowley and I am a Second Year Full-Time Master of Social Work Student at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. I am a Direct Practice concentration also. I am absolutely thrilled to be working in the Living F.R.E.E. Lab this semester with Dr. Goode and my fellow colleagues! I am going to tell you a little bit about myself in this post and why I am interested in working as a Research Assistant.
I received my bachelor’s degree in Film, Television, & Theatre and American Studies at the University of Notre Dame, yes, I know a far cry from Social Work…you could say I had a change of heart. But that’s another story for another time. For now, I am going to tell you how I became interested in eating habits in women, especially in lower SES areas.
The one thing I should probably tell you all is I have a rare genetic disease called Pompe. Due to Pompe, I cannot eat food normally. I have what is called a GTube. This is important because I have never paid much attention to food, calories, healthy, unhealthy. I don’t know much about food. But this part of my story. The first time I remember seeing anything having to do with eating was in season 4, episode 8 of Full House, the one where DJ struggles with an eating disorder (then miraculously recovers by the end of the episode…typical sitcom). At the time all I could think was how beautiful and funny DJ was, why was she trying to lose weight? It quickly disappeared and I went on with my life and forgot about it. The next instance I remember is in middle school health class, we all know the class teaches you about healthy foods and body image. I didn’t pay much attention because it didn’t affect me.
I didn’t give food or body image a second thought until my first year at UNC, we were learning about lower income people of color. Specifically, I remember learning about SNAP (Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program). I was so intrigued by it. That’s where my interest really began. Once COVID-19 hit I was sent home to finish my first year of Grad School. I was feeling incredibly down. Then I received an email saying that Dr. Goode was looking for a Research Assistant. I thought “sure, why not? I can better myself while at home!” So, I applied without knowing exactly what kind of research I would be doing for and with her. Upon our initial interview I learned that we would be doing a research project about binge eating in black women. What a perfect match?! I was so excited!
So that’s it, that’s how I became involved with Dr. Goode’s research and the Living F.R.E.E. Lab and a little bit about me and my background.
I hope you enjoyed this and come back in two weeks to meet another one or Dr. Goode’s Research Assistants! Have a great week!
#GoHeels
