Julia Lukacs

I was born in Budapest, Hungary, and moved to the US at the age of five. After earning my B.A. at The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, my M.Sc. at the Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, and spending the last five years in Europe, I'm ready to move back to the North America to start my new research journey. I've been excited about research since I discovered there was a career option where I could be paid to spend my life asking and answering questions. Aside from research, I'm passionate about cooking, sports, open-science initiatives, and the arts.

WHY DID YOU CHOOSE TO COME TO SFU?

I chose to come to SFU for the diverse opportunities at the psychology department. In particular, I was invited to work with Dr. Marlene Moretti, on the important work that she does with youth and their parents. I really admire her research and her active investment in the community.

HOW WOULD YOU DESCRIBE YOUR RESEARCH OR YOUR PROGRAM TO A FAMILY MEMBER?

In the past, I have studied risk-taking behaviors in adults. I hope to expand my work to focus on adolescents and the impact of close relationships in the future with my advisor, Dr. Marlene Moretti. I'm particularly interested in understanding the little things in life that contribute to well-being, so that we can harness that information in interventions.

WHAT ARE YOU PARTICULARLY ENJOYING ABOUT YOUR STUDIES/RESEARCH AT SFU?

I'm still early in my studies at SFU, but I have appreciated the exposure that to diverse perspectives. I believe that a major strength of SFU's clinical program is that we are not expected to subscribe to one particular viewpoint when it comes to our education as clinicians or researchers, and I'm excited to continue to broaden my thinking in the upcoming years.

HAVE YOU BEEN THE RECIPIENT OF ANY MAJOR OR DONOR-FUNDED AWARDS? IF SO, PLEASE TELL US WHICH ONES AND A LITTLE ABOUT HOW THE AWARDS HAVE IMPACTED YOUR STUDIES AND/OR RESEARCH.

I received the Graduate Dean's Entrance Scholarship. As an international student, without this scholarship, I would not have been able to attend SFU. I am very grateful for the support from the university and the opportunity that it has allowed me.