Winner Testimonials

In 2023, the HBIC award allowed me to travel to Ireland to learn from leading experts in co-creation methods at the Health Behaviour Change Research Group led by Professor Molly Byrne. I learned so much from this experience that shaped my PhD research at that time and provided me with skills that I still use to this day when I am creating and testing novel behavioural interventions. I am forever appreciative of the opportunity and learning that the HBIC award allowed me to experience!

2023 HBIC Award Winner Alysha Deslippe, PhD
Sponsored by the International Behavioural Trials Network (IBTN) the Canadian Institutes of Health Research’s SPOR Chair, and the Canadian Behavioural Interventions and Trials Network (CBITN)

When I received the HBIC award, it was an important encouragement early in my career and really strengthened my motivation to continue in research. I’m now pursuing a PhD focused on the psychosocial and behavioral determinants of cognitive decline among older adults. The HBIC award definitely helped boost my confidence and opened new perspectives for collaboration and academic growth. I’m very grateful for that opportunity.

2021 HBIC Award Winner Arwa Ben Salah, MD, MPH
Sponsored by the Society for Biopsychosocial Science and Medicine (formerly the American Psychosomatic Society)

I can’t recommend the HBIC award enough! Through this funding, I acquired new skills in neurological recording and formed lasting collaborations that have resulted in publications and new grant opportunities. I also loved having the opportunity to stay in a different country and experience another university and lab.

2023 HBIC Award Winner Elizabeth Schneider, PhD
Sponsored by the German Society for Behavioral Medicine (DGVM)

The HBIC award allowed me to develop a collaboration with scholars in Brighton, UK. With support of this award, I visited their laboratories and we developed and piloted a novel psychological stress task that incorporated interoceptive manipulations. This award was crucial to starting this collaboration that continues to this day. My research program is now firmly situated at the crossroads or stress neurobiology and interoception, with thanks to this award. The knowledge and skills obtained with support of the award will inform future grants. The award was incredibly helpful at opening new collaborative and scientific avenues during my graduate training, and it continues to positively affect my work to this day.

2019 HBIC Award Winner Thomas Kraynak, PhD
Sponsored by the Society for Biopsychosocial Science and Medicine (formerly the American Psychosomatic Society)

The HBIC award helped me bridge my interests in culture and social systems to brain function through collaborations with colleagues and students. It also helped me get to know another NIH data set (ABCD data) which has since opened up more projects for me and my students.

2022 HBIC Award Winner Melissa Flores, PhD
Sponsored by the Society for Biopsychosocial Science and Medicine (formerly the American Psychosomatic Society)

During my HBIC-sponsored research visit to Baylor University, I had the privilege of working with my international mentor and colleagues on a collaborative project. Our manuscript was accepted for publication and our work was also presented at the 82nd Society of Biopsychosocial Science and Medicine Conference in Seattle, highlighting the productivity and impact of this six-week collaboration. My experience at Baylor University was both highly rewarding and played an important role in my development as a researcher. Working with my international mentor provided a great opportunity to strengthen my skills in data analysis, academic writing, and collaborative research. The HBIC award significantly contributed to both my personal and professional growth.

2024 HBIC Award Winner Ailbhe Dempsey, PhD(c)
Sponsored by the Society for Biopsychosocial Science and Medicine (formerly the American Psychosomatic Society)