The McKernan Lab

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The McKernan Lab

Hello from the McKernan Lab at VUMC! We are seeking to develop treatments for IC/BPS and learn about different presentations of the condition.

Interested in participating? Call us at 615-875-7214 or fill out our Interest Form linked in our cover photo!

10/13/2021

Notable shifts in mood—when you find yourself feeling particularly down, or tense—are especially understandable these days.

It may be hard to distinguish a typical “funk” from treatable anxiety and depression after collectively experiencing a particularly challenging couple of years. In a recent article, Dr. Mckernan discusses what to look out for and how to take action.

We are so proud of Dr. McKernan and very thankful that writer Wendy G. Kantor covered this important topic.

Find the full article linked in our link tree!

Take good care, everyone. 🤎

10/05/2021

Hello hello! We are still enrolling participants for our IC/BPS study. If you live in TN and have IC/BPS, you may qualify. To learn more, reach out to us via phone, email, or DM, or fill out the interest form by scanning the QR code in this picture.

09/13/2021

Fall is approaching and we intend to make the most of it by enjoying all of our seasonal favorites! 😌🍂

When we finally get a break from the heat in the next few weeks, you might consider cooking up a batch of chef Mary Nolan’s turkey sausage soup. The Urology Care Foundation shared this hearty, nutritious recipe in its Fall 2021 edition of UrologyHealth extra. This soup really has it all, in my eyes—it’s easy to make, includes lots of seasonal vegetables (like carrots, onions, and kale), is packed with nutrients, and is hearty enough to keep you full and satisfied.

***To make this recipe extra IC-friendly, omit tomatoes and black pepper, as these can be inflammatory. Replace with extra veggies such as squash if available!***

Link to the UrologyHealth extra Fall 2021 edition in our linktree. Find this and other great articles there.

Take good care, everyone, and let us know if you try this recipe!

08/02/2021

We’re so proud of our Gracie!!

On Friday, we celebrated as Gracie got ready to embark on a big new adventure: graduate school! In just a few short weeks, she’ll be starting her doctorate in clinical psychology at George Mason University. We’re so thankful for her hard work in our lab and excited to see what the future holds for her! We know she’ll do big things. 🥰

07/16/2021

Happy Friday, friends! 🤩 Head to our website to meet our honorary remote team members, whose contributions to the lab cannot be overstated. They keep us on our toes and are a valuable, consistent support system. Find them on our “People” page.

Hoping you all have a wonderful weekend!

07/08/2021

Good morning! Today we’re excited to introduce Gracie Kelly, who’s been working with the lab since last summer. 😁

What do you like most about working in our lab?
Easy - the people! Working with Dr. McKernan and my fellow RAs has been a fantastic experience for me. I’m always learning from them, and they encourage me to be more creative, thoughtful, and diligent. I also have enjoyed getting to know the participants in our current study. Witnessing peoples’ drive to participate in research to help others is truly incredible, and I am inspired by each of our participants.

Where are you in your career/studies?
I graduated from Belmont University in May 2020, where I majored in psychology and minored in Spanish and statistics. Starting this August, I will begin pursuing my doctorate in clinical psychology at George Mason University. Eventually, I hope to run my own research lab - and y’all can bet the future Kelly Lab will be modeled after the McKernan Lab!

What are some fun facts about you?
Like most people in Nashville, I really love music! I’m singing about 80% of the time that I’m not in the lab, and I play piano and guitar (and a teensy bit of harmonica if we’re being generous). I also enjoy film photography and baking. Finally, my best pal is a boxer/hound mix named Rita, who often makes appearances on our team Zoom calls when I’m working from home. 🙂

Thanks so much, Gracie!

06/24/2021

Head to our linktree to find an infographic on mental illness treatment seeking stigma created by our summer intern, Vanessa Edokpa! With beautiful design and thorough research, this graphic addresses topics such as statistics of mental illness in African American women, barriers to treatment, and coping methods. Thanks so much, Vanessa!

06/23/2021

Hi there! We are still enrolling participants for our IC/BPS study. If you live in TN/KY and have IC/BPS, you may qualify. To learn more, reach out to us via phone, email, or DM, or fill out the interest form by scanning the QR code in this picture!

06/21/2021

Happy Monday, all! We’re excited to introduce Vanessa Edokpa, who will be joining our lab for the summer. We’ve had a great time getting to know her so far and are so glad she’s joined our team!

What do you like most about working in our lab?
Even though I’ve only been working in the lab for a little over 2 weeks I really like how welcoming everyone is in the Osher Center and in the lab. Everyone’s so friendly and genuinely interested in getting to know you. Dr. McKernan and other fellow research assistants were very kind and helpful as I adjusted to being in Nashville and getting acquainted with the lab’s studies.

Where are you in your career/studies?
I’m a fourth year Honors Psychology student attending Georgia State University (GSU). I currently work with the Child Health and Medical Pain (CHAMP) pediatric psychology research lab as a Maximizing Access to Research Careers (MARC) research fellow at GSU. I hope to apply to Clinical Psychology doctoral programs in the fall and eventually work in the field of Pediatric Psychology.

What are some fun facts about you?
Fun facts about me include that I run a photography and creative directing brand named ViewsByNes. I also work as a freelance model and enjoy creating digital content. You can find more information on my portfolio here: https://vanessaedopka.com/work.

Thanks so much, Vanessa! ✨

06/16/2021

Our lab is located in Nashville, Tennessee, close to the heart of downtown! 🏙

Full of live music, good food, and plenty of things to do, Nashville is also home to a rapidly growing healthcare industry. Several medical schools and over 500 healthcare companies comprise a major part of the city’s culture and economy. We feel fortunate to be surrounded by so many other kinds of healthcare professionals and connected to such a large community of people invested in wellness and wellbeing!

06/08/2021

Hi, everyone! 💫 I’m Anna Ryden—I am an undergraduate Research Intern and the face behind a lot our lab’s social media. Kicking off introductions on our new account so that any new followers know who we are. It’s so nice to meet you all!

What do you like most about working in our lab?
Oh gosh, it’s tough to narrow down..the experience as a whole has been great so far. What I love most, I suppose, is the people and how we all support each other. Whether it’s grad school application season, preparing poster presentations, or routine tasks for the study, we collaborate really well and help each other along the way. That’s a nod to Dr. McKernan; she’s intentionally created a really engaging culture in our lab.

Where are you in your career/studies?
I’ve just graduated from Belmont University with a major in Psychology and minor in Studio Art. Working in the McKernan Lab since 2018 has helped me understand what it’s like to be a clinician (by observing and working alongside many of them), which is my ultimate goal. I’ll apply to grad schools for either Clinical Psychology doctoral programs or Social Work Master’s programs (with the goal of becoming an LCSW) in the fall of next year.

What are some fun facts about you?
When I’m not at work or school, you can probably find me cooking/baking, making some type of art (my minor is Studio Art), or spending time out in nature. I have weirdly good beginner’s luck, my mom was a ballerina and my dad was a cowboy (yes, they really were), and I absolutely love roller skating!

Thanks for reading and take care :)

05/20/2021

Dr. McKernan recently spoke with U.S. News about prevalent mental illnesses, how therapy works, and how to navigate tending to one’s mental health in the context of the COVID-19 pandemic. Find the article, “A Patient’s Guide to Mental Health” linked in our linktree. We hope that you find something helpful in it and share with others if you feel inclined.

Wishing you all a good rest of your Thursday. Take care and be well! ✨

Address

3401 West End Avenue
Nashville, TN
37203

Telephone

+16158757214

Website

https://mckernanlab.com/

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