Kirsty Coulter

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Personal Information
Applicant Name	Kirsty Coulter
Applicant Email	Email hidden; Javascript is required.
Training Level	Postdoctoral Resident
City of Residence	Falls Church, VA
Distance to Chicago, IL	> 2 hour flight
Age	33
Gender identity and pronouns	female / she/her
Have you ever attended an AACN annual meeting?	Yes
The following list includes characteristics of historically underrepresented groups. Please select all characteristics that represent you and/or describe other diverse facets of your identity in the “Other” option.	Bilingual/multilingual None of the above
Funding Opportunitites
I would like to be considered for the following funding opportunities.	Student/Trainee Leader Student/Trainee Assistant Student/Trainee Scholarship SPS Conference Mentor
If selected for both Student Leader/Assistant and SPS Conference Mentor, I would prefer:	Student Leader/Assistant
Application for Student Assistant
By applying to be a student assistant, you agree to the following responsibilities/commitments:	I carefully reviewed the above responsibilities/commitments and agree with all of them. Job responsibilities: Cover shifts at the Help Desk. Help with scanning attendees for CE workshops. Maintain regular communication with student conference leaders and help problem solve any issues that arise. Attend a one-hour orientation virtually before the conference. Time commitment: Six to nine hours over the course of the conference.
Would you like to be considered for complimentary lodging?	Yes, please.
In-Person Volunteer Slots	Wednesday, June 11, 2025 (Afternoon) Thursday, June 12, 2025 (Morning) Thursday, June 12, 2025 (Afternoon) Friday, June 13, 2025 (Morning) Friday, June 13, 2025 (Afternoon)
Application for Conference Leader
By applying to be a conference leader, you agree to the following responsibilities/commitments:	I carefully reviewed the above responsibilities/commitments and agree with all of them. Job responsibilities: Attend select Conference Committee meetings. These currently occur the first Wednesday of the month at 4 PM ET. Help recruit student assistants via listservs and organizations (e.g., AACN, INS, etc.). Communicate with prospective student assistants regularly via email, text message, and/or online meetings as needed. Organize pertinent information (e.g., contact info, tentative availability during the conference). Schedule 1-2 training sessions with student assistants (using videoconferencing). Review job duties and answer questions with support from the Technology Manager and Conference Co-Chair(s). Keep up with changes that are made throughout the recruitment phase to assure all students assistants are updated. Create a schedule for student assistants based on availability and conference needs. Communicate job duties with student assistants. Problem solve changes to the schedule. Cover shifts at the Help Desk. Support student assistants and keep things organized. Maintain regular communication with your co-coordinator to problem solving if any issues that arise. Communicate with the Technology Manager, Conference Co-Chair(s), local event planners, Education Chair, and President as needed. Relay solutions to student assistants. Time commitment: 1-2 hours per month for attending meetings. Spring time leading up to the conference: Up to 15 hours per week creating and editing the schedule as well as communicating with your co-coordinator, committee, and student assistants. Arrive at conference Tuesday evening or Wednesday (6/11/24 or 6/12/24) before registration opens on Wednesday early afternoon and remain available through late afternoon Saturday (6/14/23) when the conference ends. Cover the Help Desk approximately three 4-hour shifts (12 hours total).
Are you actively involved (e.g., leadership/service position, volunteer at annual meeting(s), poster presentations) in AACN?	Yes
Please specify.	Poster presentations 2021, 2022, 2024 Student assistant volunteer at conference in 2024
Personal Statement	I am interested in serving as a student leader or assistant at the upcoming AACN conference This opportunity aligns closely with my professional goals and personal values: an interest in taking on service/leadership opportunities within the field of neuropsychology in order to elevate our field, disseminate evidence-based findings, and to diversify our field in order to appropriately serve diverse patients. I am excited by the opportunity to collaborate with peers and professionals, and provide meaningful service to the conference and academy. In this role, I anticipate managing multiple demands simultaneously, including addressing attendee needs, managing trainee volunteers, and assisting with event logistics. To navigate these challenges effectively, I prioritize clear communication, adaptability, and maintaining a composed, solutions-focused mindset under pressure. My ability to stay organized and collaborate with diverse teams will allow me to address challenges promptly and efficiently. My prior experiences have prepared me well for this position. I previously served as a student assistant at the 2024 AACN conference. Additionally, I have provided formal and informal mentoring to research assistants and junior trainees at multiple sites, including during my internship and postdoctoral training. These roles have deepened my understanding of professional service and fostered a commitment to supporting others' growth and success. Before graduate school, I served as co-director for the Best Buddies program at McGill University, which involved working with students, professionals, and folks with disabilities. I am eager to bring this experience and enthusiasm to the AACN conference, contributing positively to the conference while expanding my own professional network and leadership/service skills. Thank you for considering my application. I look forward to the opportunity to support this meaningful event.
Curriculum Vitae	KirstyCoulter_CV_11.2024aacn.pdf
Application for Scholarship	Travel scholarship awardees are provided with free conference registration and reimbursement of up to $550 of travel expenses to support conference attendance, including meals, hotel stay, and airfare.
Please provide a paragraph describing an example of your commitment to service.	Throughout my career, I have demonstrated a strong commitment to service, both within and outside of academic and professional settings. Most recently, I have served as a mentor in the MAGIC program, which provides mentorship to underrepresented or first-generation students considering pursuing graduate studies in psychology. I have provided 1:1 support and mentorship to a junior trainee, including guidance related to the application process, pros/cons of different paths, and reviewing application materials. I also have dedicated significant time to mentoring trainees, guiding research assistants, and supporting junior colleagues during my internship and postdoctoral experiences. As a co-director of the Best Buddies program at McGill University, I supported adults with intellectual disabilities and university students by fostering inclusive relationships and programming social events. These opportunities have been deeply rewarding, as I have benefited immensely from the guidance and mentorship of others throughout my own journey. I am motivated by a desire to give back, and have actively sought opportunities to further develop my leadership skills and contribute meaningfully to the field. Serving as a student assistant at the AACN conference would allow me to build on this foundation, contribute to an important event, and prepare for more significant leadership roles in the future. I would be honored to take on this role and support the AACN community while growing both personally and professionally.
Please provide a paragraph describing an example of your ability to persevere or achieve despite barriers.	An example of my ability to persevere and achieve despite barriers is my experience training and conducting research during the COVID-19 pandemic. The pandemic brought numerous challenges, including limited opportunities to build relationships with supervisors and clinical teams, heightened stress levels among colleagues and patients, and significant difficulties accessing appropriate services. Additionally, running a treatment-focused research study during this time required balancing the health and safety of participants and research personnel with the need to continue collecting meaningful data on how children’s development was being impacted. These challenges demanded flexibility, persistence, and creative problem-solving. By working collaboratively with my team, I identified and implemented solutions that prioritized health and safety while ensuring the study's continuity. I consistently balanced competing demands, evaluated options thoughtfully, and maintained a clear focus on the study's goals. These experiences have strengthened my ability to adapt under pressure and work effectively with others to find the best path forward, reinforcing my commitment to hard work and perseverance even in the face of significant challenges.
Please provide a paragraph discussing the potential benefits of your conference attendance to you and the professional community.	Attending the AACN conference offers significant benefits both to my professional development and to the broader professional community. As a postdoctoral fellow, opportunities to network with colleagues and learn from experts in the field are invaluable, and the AACN conference in particular is unmatched in its combination of clinically-focused research and practical presentations. I am also particularly eager to share my own research, which examines how both social and medical factors influence outcomes in children with complex medical conditions. By discussing these findings, I hope to engage with colleagues in meaningful conversations and brainstorm strategies to promote neurodevelopment in patients facing dual risks associated with their medical history and social resources. The conference will not only enhance my own knowledge and skills but also provide a platform for exchanging ideas with colleagues with the goal of impactful advancements in the field.
Application for Conference Mentor Award
By applying to be a conference leader, you agree to the following responsibilities/commitments:	I carefully reviewed the above responsibilities/commitments and agree with all of them. Job responsibilities: Attend select Conference Committee meetings. These currently occur the first Wednesday of the month at 4 PM ET. Help recruit student assistants via listservs and organizations (e.g., AACN, INS, etc.). Communicate with prospective student assistants regularly via email, text message, and/or online meetings as needed. Organize pertinent information (e.g., contact info, tentative availability during the conference). Schedule 1-2 training sessions with student assistants (using videoconferencing). Review job duties and answer questions with support from the Technology Manager and Conference Co-Chair(s). Keep up with changes that are made throughout the recruitment phase to assure all students assistants are updated. Create a schedule for student assistants based on availability and conference needs. Communicate job duties with student assistants. Problem solve changes to the schedule. Cover shifts at the Help Desk. Support student assistants and keep things organized. Maintain regular communication with your co-coordinator to problem solving if any issues that arise. Communicate with the Technology Manager, Conference Co-Chair(s), local event planners, Education Chair, and President as needed. Relay solutions to student assistants. Time commitment: 1-2 hours per month for attending meetings. Spring time leading up to the conference: Up to 15 hours per week creating and editing the schedule as well as communicating with your co-coordinator, committee, and student assistants. Arrive at conference Tuesday evening or Wednesday (6/11/24 or 6/12/24) before registration opens on Wednesday early afternoon and remain available through late afternoon Saturday (6/14/23) when the conference ends. Cover the Help Desk approximately three 4-hour shifts (12 hours total).
In 500 words or fewer, please describe (1) your prior mentorship experience and what you feel you can offer mentees from historically underrepresented backgrounds at the AACN annual meeting, and (2) how this mentorship experience will contribute to your professional goals. You also may describe the ways in which attending the AACN Annual Meeting would represent a financial hardship for you without this award.	I am eager to support mentees from traditionally underrepresented backgrounds and view diverse viewpoints as an asset worth working hard to foster; diversifying our field requires an active approach. I have served as a mentor in the MAGIC program, which provides mentorship to underrepresented or first-generation students considering graduate studies in psychology. I have provided 1:1 support and mentorship to a junior trainee, including guidance related to the application process, pros/cons of different paths, and reviewing application materials. I also have dedicated significant time to mentoring trainees, guiding research assistants, and supporting junior colleagues during my internship and postdoctoral training experiences. I feel that I am able to offer mentees guidance and support related to their current stage of training and would be very eager to provide hands-on support as they navigate a professional conference. More personally, while I come from a well-represented background and likely have not experienced many of the challenges related to systemic barriers associated with racism and/or marginalization, I am an active ally and seek to further elevate trainees with diverse backgrounds. In my own work working with bilingual neuropsychologist and patients, as well as my efforts in developing my Spanish-language skills, I have seen the tremendous impact that diverse viewpoints and experiences can have on how effective and impactful neuropsychology can be. Actively supporting diverse viewpoints is a primary goal in my own practice and I would be thrilled to have the opportunity to do this at AACN. Serving as a conference mentor at AACN would provide me further opportunities to support underrepresented folks in their journeys in neuropsychology, as well as opportunities to connect with other neuropsychologists who take an active role in doing this. At the conference, I would be very eager to brainstorm and collaborate with others in the service of promoting access to neuropsychological services and careers in neuropsychology for people from historically underrepresented backgrounds.
Tiebreaker	2