Hello everyone! I’m Jacob Voelker, a rising senior at Pitt studying Neuroscience and History & Philosophy of Science (HPS). I’ll be participating in the Brackenridge Fellowship this summer, performing an independent research project that works at the intersection of my two majors to better understand public perceptions of mental illness science.
Like much of the scholarly literature out there, the intricacies and nuances of psychiatric neuroscience cannot be oversold: often dense with jargon and reliant on a familiarity with unfamiliar concepts, much of the scientific literature regarding mental illness science is inaccessible to the general public. As such, different forms of media are common means by which the lay person learns about and interacts with the scientific world. Of particular interest to me is the inclusion of neuroimaging technology, such as fMRI or PET scans, in media sources and their subsequent impact on public perceptions of mental illness, specifically schizophrenia. While the technology behind them is incomprehensibly complex, the apparent simplicity and visual appeal of neuroimaging figures can offer the illusion of a simple take-home message about those whose brain-types (e.g., “schizophrenic”, “cocaine”, “depressed”); I want to explore the ways in which this has occurred over time as well as what effect this can have on individuals living under the description of these labels (especially schizophrenia).
Under the guidance of Dr. Tomas Matza, a professor in the Department of Anthropology, I will work to answer these questions through a literature review and analysis, a psychological study that examines the effect of brain scans on perception of scientific information, and interviews with psychiatrists to discuss use of neuroimaging technology in clinical practice. In doing this work, I’m hoping to comment on the ways in which public misinformation and misunderstanding of psychiatric science occur, as well as what implications this can have on the stigmatization of those who live with schizophrenia and other mental illnesses.
After I graduate from Pitt, I’m planning on taking a gap year before pursuing a medical degree; I’m especially interested in psychiatry. Given that my project revolves around topics of mental health, psychiatric technology, and patient personhood, I’m really thrilled to be able to explore this particular aspect of the field and investigate my personal research questions in a formalized context with the Brackenridge Fellowship this summer.
Outside of research and academic endeavors, I’m really into hiking, climbing, and yoga. l’m also a big tea-drinker and memoir-reader, and welcome recommendations for either. I’m really looking forward to a wonderful summer!
