Prince George, B.C. – Tiffany Kuku has always been interested in research, especially in understanding the intersectionality of mental health through a cultural and psychological lens.

Kuku says her interest has grown significantly since becoming a Bachelor of Science Psychology student at UNBC. 

As an international student from Abuja, Nigeria, Kuku sought a university that offered the right balance between academic excellence and personal growth. She chose UNBC for its strong academic environment, smaller class sizes and overall supportive community, but she now finds that the direct engagement with faculty is an unexpected yet invaluable factor in shaping her career development.

“Being in an academic environment that emphasizes undergraduate research and faculty mentorship has deepened my curiosity and made research feel more accessible at this stage,” says the second-year student.

Kuku’s passion for research was recently recognized with UNBC’s Undergraduate Research Experience (URE) Award.

The opportunity arose while volunteering in Psychology Associate Professor Dr. Annie Duchesne’s research lab in the fall. 

"One of the most unique and rewarding aspects of being at UNBC is the diversity and richness of research opportunities at the undergraduate level. The commitment to integrating students into top-tier research programs from the start of their academic journey is what sets the University apart,” says Duchesne. “Seeing students like Tiffany thrive and develop their research skills reinforces the importance of fostering these opportunities early on."

For her part, Kuku says it was Duchesne’s encouragement, guidance and insights that motivated her to apply. “She highlighted how the award could support the exploration of my research interests.”

With the support of the URE award, Kuku will continue work on research projects underway in the Psychology lab, while simultaneously developing the skills needed to conduct her own research in the future.

“With the dedicated time for research this award provides, I will have the opportunity to gain deeper knowledge and hands-on experience in psychological research,” she says. 

Kuku’s goal is to design a research project focused on mindfulness practices to mitigate stressors faced by international students living in northern regions. She notes the many challenges facing international students in navigating academic expectations while managing cultural transitions and feelings of isolation.

“This research is important to me because, as an international student myself, I recognize the unique stressors that come with cultural transitions, acclimation and academic pressures,” she says.

While Kuku believes mental health resources are evolving to be more inclusive, she feels there is still a gap in addressing the nuanced experiences of international students. 

“By learning and exploring different research methods, I hope to contribute to the development of more tailored mental health interventions to address these unique experiences.”