It was an unlikely sight for neighbors on 34th St: a big, burly man with the temperament of an old guard dog and his young granddaughter having a tea-party, complete with fine china. To me, however, I only saw the light and joy of my grandfather reflecting back at me. In what was an unlikely but significant duo, it has impacted the woman I am today. My name is Madison Knoll-Ahern, a fourth-year psychology student graduating this May with my sights set on becoming a clinical psychologist specializing in the treatment of post-traumatic stress disorder. My grandpa, Butch Knoll was and is still my biggest inspiration, always reminding me to be myself. From the moment I came home from the hospital to a little over my tenth birthday, we spent every day together. My mother conveniently moved across the street from him to co-parent me while my father was absent, so Butch became a primary caregiver and easily my first best friend. Our relationship was incredibly strong and built on fun, spending our days outside chasing each other in a church parking lot on my bike and his Hoveround. Other days we would be even more rebellious and ride the Hoveround to the store, getting our traditional weekly feast of fried chicken and mashed potatoes. My grandfather was sick, suffering from advanced cellutis in both legs that had swollen into large, purple scars with fluid, pus, and dry skin. Although the Hoveround helped his mobility at times, I watched him suffer with chronic pain, and even grapple with the thought of taking his own life, only opposed due to his Catholicism. The joy and whimsical times together were often clouded with times of adversity and health crises, with him ending up in the hospital. The thing that always stuck with me about Butch though was his ability to find the humor and fun in any situation, even if it was a sterile room with a low-hanging cloud. I believe that is the trait he instilled the most in me: resilience during times of adversity. I lost my grandpa on October 1, 2014, when I was 10-years-old. I saw everything, including his body leave his house and never return. Soon after this, my family alienated my mother and I as I inherited more assets than any of his children or my cousins, including the heirloom ring. Having adults bully me, ridicule me, and shun me because of the way Butch loved me created a dull spot in my life that expanded as I got older, eventually leading to no contact with any of them now at 21. By shedding the relationships with my aunt, uncle, and cousins, my grandfather and I's relationship is something I ponder often. We had an unspoken loyalty to one another as buddies and partners in crime, but also a mutual respect for one another. He was the only adult to not shame me for my tears, running to him in times of comfort or difficulty for comfort. He taught me that regardless of the situation, the only way out is through. Nobody else ever cared for me the way he did, even expressing to my mother just weeks before his passing that I "was his second chance," as he was not the best to her. I cried when she told me, around two years after he left this earth. With the line of work I have chosen, Clinical Psychology, respect is a vital factor in establishing rapport and trust with participants, especially young children. I remember the way I felt when my aunt and uncle would talk about me being a problem while I was in the same room, fueled by their inherent jealously of a child. I have made it known to all in my family now and to my colleagues that children deserve respect, always. The actions, words, and expressions made about to directly to children critically impact their psyche and view on relationship-building with others. Children are to be spoken to as human beings capable of resilience and not seen as a burden or annoyance. Its been a little over 11 years now since I last saw my grandpa. I think of him each day, and take his spontaneity, kindness, and respect into account in not only my personal relationships, but professional too. I will continue to advocate for children through my career in honor of him, paving the way for others and teaching the importance of mutual respect in clinical practice(s).

Making the decision to pursue a Ph.D. in Clinical Psychology is my "Pie in the Sky," and stems from a personal mission to transform trauma, mental resistance--into resilience, particularly for women. I've witnessed the lasting impact of intergenerational trauma on the women who raised me, fueling a deep desire to understand "why" and, more importantly, interrupting these painful cycles. What once seemed unattainable—due to the ignorance and biases against psychology from my family—is now nearly in my grasp, and I’ve never been more excited. I am Madison, a fourth-year undergraduate student at the University of Kansas. I am pursuing a career as a researcher, clinician, and eventually professor of psychology surveying the possible links between reproduction and trauma in women with PTSD. Although personal experience with mental illness and PTSD is a factor, diving into research at KU is what sparked this dream. Through research and continuing on in academia, my intent is not solely on treatment, but on prevention, further addressing the underlying factors contributing to psychopathology that can be transmitted across generations. For the last year I have been focused on the intersection of trauma and reproductive psychology, as I am interested in the prevention and treatment of PTSD in mothers, particularly during the perinatal period. During my time as an undergraduate researcher at KU, I have studied early life adversity (ELA) and maternal experience/ambivalent feelings in women's health. Questioning how exactly ELA impacts childless college-aged women and how we can equip them with resilience and coping skills allows me to work to prevent PTSD flashbacks from impacting future parenting. My quick wit and reason to action, honed through academic and research experiences like the TRIO McNair Scholars Program, are the tools I will bring to this challenge. As a young woman in the world of science, I plan to advance the understanding of PTSD manifestation during the perinatal period, collaborating with researchers in my future graduate studies to explore early life adversity and hypersexuality as a respondent factor. I am particularly interested in utilizing proven approaches, like Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) to decrease the efficacy of PTSD flashbacks for mothers, especially victims of interfamilial child torture (ICT) involving sexual abuse. My dedication to create a more informed culture for children and developmentally based psychological science for women is a privilege I am honored to have. After I complete my graduate studies and receive a Ph.D. of Clinical Psychology, I hope to become an esteemed faculty member at a university, where I lecture and have my own research lab and mentor the next generation of psychology students. I aspire to mentor undergraduate women who are in the position I found myself in so long ago, instilling a legacy of communal support and fostering a collaborative and safe space for all. Moreover, another long-term goal is to found my own non-profit in my hometown of Wichita, KS. This organization would provide free, culturally-informed and evidence-based mental health services for low-income mothers and their children. My efforts and future goals reflect and will translate into complex research and tangible community benefit for women from all walks of life, addressing health equity where it is most needed. With graduation in the near future and grad school applications submitted, this scholarship would help me tremendously with relocation this summer, ensuring I can successfully transition and stay committed to my “Pie in the Sky.” Thank you humbly for your time and consideration.

Growing up and witnessing both my mother and grandmother decline due to Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder, the circumstances forced me to choose between ignorance and resistance. I yearned to confront and decipher the underlying factors contributing to their psychopathologies. My journey into clinical psychology is deeply personal, researching the disorders my mother, hers, and those before having suffered from, and the health disparities and inequitable outcomes paired with their diagnoses. My time at the University of Kansas (KU) thus far has only heightened my purpose to explore and expand women's trauma—their mental resistance, into resilience through the advocacy and research of reproductive health. I am a fourth-year undergraduate psychology student at the University of Kansas. I am pursuing a career as a reproductive health scientist and researcher dedicated to discovering, improving, and disseminating evidence-based treatments for women suffering from Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder. Specifically, I am interested in the prevention and treatment of PTSD in pre and post natal women, developing and issuing such treatments to community settings, and applying knowledge of etiological factors—such as early-life adversity, motherhood, and resilience. I hope to contribute to innovative implementation strategies to increase treatment accessibility and improve psychological outcomes in women before, during, and after pregnancy. Additionally, I am interested in developing interventions for populations, particularly in low socioeconomic communities in urbanized regions of the United States recognizing the patterns, trends, and triggers in PTSD stemming from factors such as interfamilial child torture, sexual trauma, and forced adoptions of offspring for women in early adolescence. I independently completed the McNair Summer Research Internship in 2025 under the mentorship of Dr. Richard Yi, making my pivot into women’s health and completely immersing myself in a new subset of psychological research. My project, “Exploring the Association Between Adverse Childhood Experiences and Maternal Ambivalence in Emerging Adulthood” allowed me to exercise clinical practices and research change processes in college women yet to bear children and uncover psychopathological reasoning leading to such a life-altering decision. In conjunction,, I attended baseline and follow-up sessions for a study in the Behavioral Health Research Group working with women at First Step Rehabilitation Center honing into these skills once again and building rapport with participants, particularly those of at-risk behaviors or populations. However, the completion of my baseline proposal leaves me questioning what facets protrude through the psyche of childless college-aged women, feeling their adverse childhood experiences and early life adversities so intensely? How can we help women, regardless of their upbringing, learn resiliency and coping skills to prevent PTSD flashbacks from affecting their daily lives, parenting skills, or relationship(s) with offspring? My quick wit and reason to question paired with additional research interests on interfamilial child torture, childhood sexual abuse, and early childhood adversity can bring to light how PTSD intrinsically rooted in women appearing in the perinatal phase of fetal gestation can flare up and cause psychological harm. I wish to continue, and expand upon informed research on women’s health and reproductive psychology to future generations. I hope to establish a women’s health non-profit in my hometown of Wichita, Kansas, providing free, culturally informed mental and reproductive health services for low-income women. My unwavering desire and commitment to contribute to research in a field involving the most pivotal women of my life is the ultimate reward, assisting civil society and finding a meaningful capstone in the academic journey. I am certain that this scholarship will greatly help me to progress in my studies and lessen the financial burden paired with academia. I thank you humbly for your time and consideration.

My decision to pursue a Ph.D. in Clinical Health Psychology stems from a personal mission to transform trauma, mental resistance--into resilience, particularly for women. I've witnessed the lasting impact of intergenerational trauma on the women who raised me, fueling a deep desire to understand "why" and, more importantly, interrupting these painful cycles. I am a fourth-year undergraduate student at the University of Kansas, where I am pursuing a career as a researcher, clinician, and eventually professor of psychology surveying the possible links between reproduction and trauma in women with PTSD. Alas, my intent is not solely on treatment, but on prevention, addressing the underlying factors contributing to psychopathology that can be transmitted across generations. For the last year I have been focused on the intersection of trauma and reproductive psychology, as I am interested in the prevention and treatment of PTSD in mothers, particularly during the perinatal period. During my time as an undergraduate researcher at KU, I have studied early life adversity (ELA) and maternal experience/ambivalent feelings in women's health. Questioning how exactly ELA impacts childless college-aged women and how we can equip them with resilience and coping skills allows me to work to prevent PTSD flashbacks from impacting future parenting. My quick wit and reason to action, honed through academic and research experiences like the TRIO McNair Scholars Program, are the tools I will bring to this challenge. As a young woman in the world of science, I plan to advance the understanding of PTSD manifestation during the perinatal period, collaborating with researchers in my future graduate studies to explore early life adversity and hypersexuality as a respondent factor. I am particularly interested in utilizing proven approaches, like Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) to decrease the efficacy of PTSD flashbacks for mothers, especially victims of interfamilial child torture (ICT) involving sexual abuse. My dedication to create a more informed culture for children and developmentally based psychological science for women is a privilege I am honored to have. After I complete my graduate studies and receive a Ph.D. of Clinical Health Psychology, I hope to become an esteemed faculty member at a university, where I lecture and have my own research lab and mentor the next generation of psychology students. I aspire to mentor undergraduate women who are in the position I found myself in so long ago, instilling a legacy of communal support and fostering a collaborative and safe space for all. Moreover, another long-term goal is to found my own non-profit in my hometown of Wichita, KS. This organization would provide free, culturally-informed and evidence-based mental health services for low-income mothers and their children. My efforts and future goals reflect and will translate into complex research and tangible community benefit for women from all walks of life, addressing health equity where it is most needed. I see myself as a woman unafraid to confront the hard questions. My goal is to function as a research, professor, and clinical, helping other women find catharsis in their trauma, and realize their potential for resilience, happiness, and success. Thank you humbly for your time and consideration.

My decision to pursue a Ph.D. in Clinical Health Psychology stems from a personal mission to transform trauma, mental resistance--into resilience, particularly for women. I've witnessed the lasting impact of intergenerational trauma on the women who raised me, fueling a deep desire to understand "why" and, more importantly, interrupting these painful cycles. I am a fourth-year undergraduate student at the University of Kansas, where I am pursuing a career as a researcher, clinician, and eventually professor of psychology surveying the possible links between reproduction and trauma in women with PTSD. Alas, my intent is not solely on treatment, but on prevention, addressing the underlying factors contributing to psychopathology that can be transmitted across generations. For the last year I have been focused on the intersection of trauma and reproductive psychology, as I am interested in the prevention and treatment of PTSD in mothers, particularly during the perinatal period. During my time as an undergraduate researcher at KU, I have studied early life adversity (ELA) and maternal experience/ambivalent feelings in women's health. Questioning how exactly ELA impacts childless college-aged women and how we can equip them with resilience and coping skills allows me to work to prevent PTSD flashbacks from impacting future parenting. My quick wit and reason to action, honed through academic and research experiences like the TRIO McNair Scholars Program, are the tools I will bring to this challenge. As a young woman in the world of science, I plan to advance the understanding of PTSD manifestation during the perinatal period, collaborating with researchers in my future graduate studies to explore early life adversity and hypersexuality as a respondent factor. I am particularly interested in utilizing proven approaches, like Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) to decrease the efficacy of PTSD flashbacks for mothers, especially victims of interfamilial child torture (ICT) involving sexual abuse. My dedication to create a more informed culture for children and developmentally based psychological science for women is a privilege I am honored to have. After I complete my graduate studies and receive a Ph.D. of Clinical Health Psychology, I hope to become an esteemed faculty member at a university, where I lecture and have my own research lab and mentor the next generation of psychology students. I aspire to mentor undergraduate women who are in the position I found myself in so long ago, instilling a legacy of communal support and fostering a collaborative and safe space for all. Moreover, another long-term goal is to found my own non-profit in my hometown of Wichita, KS. This organization would provide free, culturally-informed and evidence-based mental health services for low-income mothers and their children. My efforts and future goals reflect and will translate into complex research and tangible community benefit for women from all walks of life, addressing health equity where it is most needed. I see myself as a woman unafraid to confront the hard questions. My goal is to function as a research, professor, and clinical, helping other women find catharsis in their trauma, and realize their potential for resilience, happiness, and success. Thank you humbly for your time and consideration.

My decision to pursue a Ph.D. in Clinical Health Psychology stems from a personal mission to transform trauma, mental resistance--into resilience, particularly for women. I've witnessed the lasting impact of intergenerational trauma on the women who raised me, fueling a deep desire to understand "why" and, more importantly, interrupting these painful cycles. I am a fourth-year undergraduate student at the University of Kansas, where I am pursuing a career as a researcher, clinician, and eventually professor of psychology surveying the possible links between reproduction and trauma in women with PTSD. Alas, my intent is not solely on treatment, but on prevention, addressing the underlying factors contributing to psychopathology that can be transmitted across generations. For the last year I have been focused on the intersection of trauma and reproductive psychology, as I am interested in the prevention and treatment of PTSD in mothers, particularly during the perinatal period. During my time as an undergraduate researcher at KU, I have studied early life adversity (ELA) and maternal experience/ambivalent feelings in women's health. Questioning how exactly ELA impacts childless college-aged women and how we can equip them with resilience and coping skills allows me to work to prevent PTSD flashbacks from impacting future parenting. My quick wit and reason to action, honed through academic and research experiences like the TRIO McNair Scholars Program, are the tools I will bring to this challenge. As a young woman in the world of science, I plan to advance the understanding of PTSD manifestation during the perinatal period, collaborating with researchers in my future graduate studies to explore early life adversity and hypersexuality as a respondent factor. I am particularly interested in utilizing proven approaches, like Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) to decrease the efficacy of PTSD flashbacks for mothers, especially victims of interfamilial child torture (ICT) involving sexual abuse. My dedication to create a more informed culture for children and developmentally based psychological science for women is a privilege I am honored to have. After I complete my graduate studies and receive a Ph.D. of Clinical Health Psychology, I hope to become an esteemed faculty member at a university, where I lecture and have my own research lab and mentor the next generation of psychology students. I aspire to mentor undergraduate women who are in the position I found myself in so long ago, instilling a legacy of communal support and fostering a collaborative and safe space for all. Moreover, another long-term goal is to found my own non-profit in my hometown of Wichita, KS. This organization would provide free, culturally-informed and evidence-based mental health services for low-income mothers and their children. My efforts and future goals reflect and will translate into complex research and tangible community benefit for women from all walks of life, addressing health equity where it is most needed. My experiences with mental health have created a confident, strong woman unafraid to confront the hard questions. My goal is to function as a research, professor, and clinical, helping other women find catharsis in their trauma, and realize their potential for resilience, happiness, and success. Thank you humbly for your time and consideration.

My decision to pursue a Ph.D. in Clinical Health Psychology stems from a personal mission to transform trauma, mental resistance--into resilience, particularly for women. I've witnessed the lasting impact of intergenerational trauma on the women who raised me, fueling a deep desire to understand "why" and, more importantly, interrupting these painful cycles. I am a fourth-year undergraduate student at the University of Kansas, where I am pursuing a career as a researcher, clinician, and eventually professor of psychology surveying the possible links between reproduction and trauma in women with PTSD. Alas, my intent is not solely on treatment, but on prevention, addressing the underlying factors contributing to psychopathology that can be transmitted across generations. For the last year I have been focused on the intersection of trauma and reproductive psychology, as I am interested in the prevention and treatment of PTSD in mothers, particularly during the perinatal period. During my time as an undergraduate researcher at KU, I have studied early life adversity (ELA) and maternal experience/ambivalent feelings in women's health. Questioning how exactly ELA impacts childless college-aged women and how we can equip them with resilience and coping skills allows me to work to prevent PTSD flashbacks from impacting future parenting. My quick wit and reason to action, honed through academic and research experiences like the TRIO McNair Scholars Program, are the tools I will bring to this challenge. As a young woman in the world of science, I plan to advance the understanding of PTSD manifestation during the perinatal period, collaborating with researchers in my future graduate studies to explore early life adversity and hypersexuality as a respondent factor. I am particularly interested in utilizing proven approaches, like Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) to decrease the efficacy of PTSD flashbacks for mothers, especially victims of interfamilial child torture (ICT) involving sexual abuse. My dedication to create a more informed culture for children and developmentally based psychological science for women is a privilege I am honored to have. After I complete my graduate studies and receive a Ph.D. of Clinical Health Psychology, I hope to become an esteemed faculty member at a university, where I lecture and have my own research lab and mentor the next generation of psychology students. I aspire to mentor undergraduate women who are in the position I found myself in so long ago, instilling a legacy of communal support and fostering a collaborative and safe space for all. Moreover, another long-term goal is to found my own non-profit in my hometown of Wichita, KS. This organization would provide free, culturally-informed and evidence-based mental health services for low-income mothers and their children. My efforts and future goals reflect and will translate into complex research and tangible community benefit for women from all walks of life, addressing health equity where it is most needed. I see myself as a woman unafraid to confront the hard questions. My goal is to function as a research, professor, and clinical, helping other women find catharsis in their trauma, and realize their potential for resilience, happiness, and success. Thank you humbly for your time and consideration.

My decision to pursue a Ph.D. in Clinical Health Psychology stems from a personal mission to transform trauma, mental resistance--into resilience, particularly for women. I've witnessed the lasting impact of intergenerational trauma on the women who raised me, fueling a deep desire to understand "why" and, more importantly, interrupting these painful cycles. I am a fourth-year undergraduate student at the University of Kansas, where I am pursuing a career as a researcher, clinician, and eventually professor of psychology surveying the possible links between reproduction and trauma in women with PTSD. Alas, my intent is not solely on treatment, but on prevention, addressing the underlying factors contributing to psychopathology that can be transmitted across generations. For the last year I have been focused on the intersection of trauma and reproductive psychology, as I am interested in the prevention and treatment of PTSD in mothers, particularly during the perinatal period. During my time as an undergraduate researcher at KU, I have studied early life adversity (ELA) and maternal experience/ambivalent feelings in women's health. Questioning how exactly ELA impacts childless college-aged women and how we can equip them with resilience and coping skills allows me to work to prevent PTSD flashbacks from impacting future parenting. My quick wit and reason to action, honed through academic and research experiences like the TRIO McNair Scholars Program, are the tools I will bring to this challenge. As a young woman in the world of science, I plan to advance the understanding of PTSD manifestation during the perinatal period, collaborating with researchers in my future graduate studies to explore early life adversity and hypersexuality as a respondent factor. I am particularly interested in utilizing proven approaches, like Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) to decrease the efficacy of PTSD flashbacks for mothers, especially victims of interfamilial child torture (ICT) involving sexual abuse. My dedication to create a more informed culture for children and developmentally based psychological science for women is a privilege I am honored to have. After I complete my graduate studies and receive a Ph.D. of Clinical Health Psychology, I hope to become an esteemed faculty member at a university, where I lecture and have my own research lab and mentor the next generation of psychology students. I aspire to mentor undergraduate women who are in the position I found myself in so long ago, instilling a legacy of communal support and fostering a collaborative and safe space for all. Moreover, another long-term goal is to found my own non-profit in my hometown of Wichita, KS. This organization would provide free, culturally-informed and evidence-based mental health services for low-income mothers and their children. My efforts and future goals reflect and will translate into complex research and tangible community benefit for women from all walks of life, addressing health equity where it is most needed. I see myself as a woman unafraid to confront the hard questions. My goal is to function as a research, professor, and clinical, helping other women find catharsis in their trauma, and realize their potential for resilience, happiness, and success. Thank you humbly for your time and consideration.

My decision to pursue a Ph.D. in Clinical Health Psychology stems from a personal mission to transform trauma, mental resistance--into resilience, particularly for women. I've witnessed the lasting impact of intergenerational trauma on the women who raised me, fueling a deep desire to understand "why" and, more importantly, interrupting these painful cycles. I am a fourth-year undergraduate student at the University of Kansas, where I am pursuing a career as a researcher, clinician, and eventually professor of psychology surveying the possible links between reproduction and trauma in women with PTSD. Alas, my intent is not solely on treatment, but on prevention, addressing the underlying factors contributing to psychopathology that can be transmitted across generations. For the last year I have been focused on the intersection of trauma and reproductive psychology, as I am interested in the prevention and treatment of PTSD in mothers, particularly during the perinatal period. During my time as an undergraduate researcher at KU, I have studied early life adversity (ELA) and maternal experience/ambivalent feelings in women's health. Questioning how exactly ELA impacts childless college-aged women and how we can equip them with resilience and coping skills allows me to work to prevent PTSD flashbacks from impacting future parenting. My quick wit and reason to action, honed through academic and research experiences like the TRIO McNair Scholars Program, are the tools I will bring to this challenge. As a young woman in the world of science, I plan to advance the understanding of PTSD manifestation during the perinatal period, collaborating with researchers in my future graduate studies to explore early life adversity and hypersexuality as a respondent factor. I am particularly interested in utilizing proven approaches, like Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) to decrease the efficacy of PTSD flashbacks for mothers, especially victims of interfamilial child torture (ICT) involving sexual abuse. My dedication to create a more informed culture for children and developmentally based psychological science for women is a privilege I am honored to have. After I complete my graduate studies and receive a Ph.D. of Clinical Health Psychology, I hope to become an esteemed faculty member at a university, where I lecture and have my own research lab and mentor the next generation of psychology students. I aspire to mentor undergraduate women who are in the position I found myself in so long ago, instilling a legacy of communal support and fostering a collaborative and safe space for all. Moreover, another long-term goal is to found my own non-profit in my hometown of Wichita, KS. This organization would provide free, culturally-informed and evidence-based mental health services for low-income mothers and their children. My efforts and future goals reflect and will translate into complex research and tangible community benefit for women from all walks of life, addressing health equity where it is most needed. I see myself as a woman unafraid to confront the hard questions. My goal is to function as a research, professor, and clinical, helping other women find catharsis in their trauma, and realize their potential for resilience, happiness, and success. Thank you humbly for your time and consideration.

My decision to pursue a Ph.D. in Clinical Health Psychology stems from a personal mission to transform trauma, mental resistance--into resilience, particularly for women. I've witnessed the lasting impact of intergenerational trauma on the women who raised me, particularly my mother, fueling a deep desire to understand "why" and, more importantly, interrupting these painful cycles. I am a fourth-year undergraduate student at the University of Kansas, where I am pursuing a career as a researcher, clinician, and eventually professor of psychology surveying the possible links between reproduction and trauma in women with PTSD. Alas, my intent is not solely on treatment, but on prevention, addressing the underlying factors contributing to psychopathology that can be transmitted across generations. For the last year I have been focused on the intersection of trauma and reproductive psychology, as I am interested in the prevention and treatment of PTSD in mothers, particularly during the perinatal period. During my time as an undergraduate researcher at KU, I have studied early life adversity (ELA) and maternal experience/ambivalent feelings in women's health. Questioning how exactly ELA impacts childless college-aged women and how we can equip them with resilience and coping skills allows me to work to prevent PTSD flashbacks from impacting future parenting. My quick wit and reason to action, honed through academic and research experiences like the TRIO McNair Scholars Program, are the tools I will bring to this challenge. As a young woman in the world of science, I plan to advance the understanding of PTSD manifestation during the perinatal period, collaborating with researchers in my future graduate studies to explore early life adversity and hypersexuality as a respondent factor. I am particularly interested in utilizing proven approaches, like Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) to decrease the efficacy of PTSD flashbacks for mothers, especially victims of interfamilial child torture (ICT) involving sexual abuse. My dedication to create a more informed culture for children and developmentally based psychological science for women is a privilege I am honored to have. After I complete my graduate studies and receive a Ph.D. of Clinical Health Psychology, I hope to become an esteemed faculty member at a university, where I lecture and have my own research lab and mentor the next generation of psychology students. I aspire to mentor undergraduate women who are in the position I found myself in so long ago, instilling a legacy of communal support and fostering a collaborative and safe space for all. Moreover, another long-term goal is to found my own non-profit in my hometown of Wichita, KS. This organization would provide free, culturally-informed and evidence-based mental health services for low-income mothers and their children. My efforts and future goals reflect and will translate into complex research and tangible community benefit for women from all walks of life, addressing health equity where it is most needed. I see myself as a woman unafraid to confront the hard questions. My goal is to function as a research, professor, and clinical, helping other women find catharsis in their trauma, and realize their potential for resilience, happiness, and success. Thank you humbly for your time and consideration.

My decision to pursue a Ph.D. in Clinical Health Psychology stems from a personal mission to transform trauma, mental resistance--into resilience, particularly for women. I've witnessed the lasting impact of intergenerational trauma on the women who raised me, fueling a deep desire to understand "why" and, more importantly, interrupting these painful cycles. I am a fourth-year undergraduate student at the University of Kansas, where I am pursuing a career as a researcher, clinician, and eventually professor of psychology surveying the possible links between reproduction and trauma in women with PTSD. Alas, my intent is not solely on treatment, but on prevention, addressing the underlying factors contributing to psychopathology that can be transmitted across generations. For the last year I have been focused on the intersection of trauma and reproductive psychology, as I am interested in the prevention and treatment of PTSD in mothers, particularly during the perinatal period. During my time as an undergraduate researcher at KU, I have studied early life adversity (ELA) and maternal experience/ambivalent feelings in women's health. Questioning how exactly ELA impacts childless college-aged women and how we can equip them with resilience and coping skills allows me to work to prevent PTSD flashbacks from impacting future parenting. My quick wit and reason to action, honed through academic and research experiences like the TRIO McNair Scholars Program, are the tools I will bring to this challenge. As a young woman in the world of science, I plan to advance the understanding of PTSD manifestation during the perinatal period, collaborating with researchers in my future graduate studies to explore early life adversity and hypersexuality as a respondent factor. I am particularly interested in utilizing proven approaches, like Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) to decrease the efficacy of PTSD flashbacks for mothers, especially victims of interfamilial child torture (ICT) involving sexual abuse. My dedication to create a more informed culture for children and developmentally based psychological science for women is a privilege I am honored to have. After I complete my graduate studies and receive a Ph.D. of Clinical Health Psychology, I hope to become an esteemed faculty member at a university, where I lecture and have my own research lab and mentor the next generation of psychology students. I aspire to mentor undergraduate women who are in the position I found myself in so long ago, instilling a legacy of communal support and fostering a collaborative and safe space for all. Moreover, another long-term goal is to found my own non-profit in my hometown of Wichita, KS. This organization would provide free, culturally-informed and evidence-based mental health services for low-income mothers and their children. My efforts and future goals reflect and will translate into complex research and tangible community benefit for women from all walks of life, addressing health equity where it is most needed. I see myself as a woman unafraid to confront the hard questions. My goal is to function as a research, professor, and clinical, helping other women find catharsis in their trauma, and realize their potential for resilience, happiness, and success. Thank you humbly for your time and consideration.

My decision to pursue a Ph.D. in Clinical Health Psychology stems from a personal mission to transform trauma, mental resistance--into resilience, particularly for women. I've witnessed the lasting impact of intergenerational trauma on the women who raised me, fueling a deep desire to understand "why" and, more importantly, interrupting these painful cycles. I am a fourth-year undergraduate student at the University of Kansas, where I am pursuing a career as a researcher, clinician, and eventually professor of psychology surveying the possible links between reproduction and trauma in women with PTSD. Alas, my intent is not solely on treatment, but on prevention, addressing the underlying factors contributing to psychopathology that can be transmitted across generations. For the last year I have been focused on the intersection of trauma and reproductive psychology, as I am interested in the prevention and treatment of PTSD in mothers, particularly during the perinatal period. During my time as an undergraduate researcher at KU, I have studied early life adversity (ELA) and maternal experience/ambivalent feelings in women's health. Questioning how exactly ELA impacts childless college-aged women and how we can equip them with resilience and coping skills allows me to work to prevent PTSD flashbacks from impacting future parenting. My quick wit and reason to action, honed through academic and research experiences like the TRIO McNair Scholars Program, are the tools I will bring to this challenge. As a young woman in the world of science, I plan to advance the understanding of PTSD manifestation during the perinatal period, collaborating with researchers in my future graduate studies to explore early life adversity and hypersexuality as a respondent factor. I am particularly interested in utilizing proven approaches, like Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) to decrease the efficacy of PTSD flashbacks for mothers, especially victims of interfamilial child torture (ICT) involving sexual abuse. My dedication to create a more informed culture for children and developmentally based psychological science for women is a privilege I am honored to have. After I complete my graduate studies and receive a Ph.D. of Clinical Health Psychology, I hope to become an esteemed faculty member at a university, where I lecture and have my own research lab and mentor the next generation of psychology students. I aspire to mentor undergraduate women who are in the position I found myself in so long ago, instilling a legacy of communal support and fostering a collaborative and safe space for all. Moreover, another long-term goal is to found my own non-profit in my hometown of Wichita, KS. This organization would provide free, culturally-informed and evidence-based mental health services for low-income mothers and their children. My efforts and future goals reflect and will translate into complex research and tangible community benefit for women from all walks of life, addressing health equity where it is most needed. I see myself as a woman unafraid to confront the hard questions. My goal is to function as a research, professor, and clinical, helping other women find catharsis in their trauma, and realize their potential for resilience, happiness, and success. Thank you humbly for your time and consideration.

My decision to pursue a Ph.D. in Clinical Health Psychology stems from a personal mission to transform trauma, mental resistance--into resilience, particularly for women. I've witnessed the lasting impact of intergenerational trauma on the women who raised me, fueling a deep desire to understand "why" and, more importantly, interrupting these painful cycles. I am a fourth-year undergraduate student at the University of Kansas, where I am pursuing a career as a researcher, clinician, and eventually professor of psychology surveying the possible links between reproduction and trauma in women with PTSD. Alas, my intent is not solely on treatment, but on prevention, addressing the underlying factors contributing to psychopathology that can be transmitted across generations. For the last year I have been focused on the intersection of trauma and reproductive psychology, as I am interested in the prevention and treatment of PTSD in mothers, particularly during the perinatal period. During my time as an undergraduate researcher at KU, I have studied early life adversity (ELA) and maternal experience/ambivalent feelings in women's health. Questioning how exactly ELA impacts childless college-aged women and how we can equip them with resilience and coping skills allows me to work to prevent PTSD flashbacks from impacting future parenting. My quick wit and reason to action, honed through academic and research experiences like the TRIO McNair Scholars Program, are the tools I will bring to this challenge. As a young woman in the world of science, I plan to advance the understanding of PTSD manifestation during the perinatal period, collaborating with researchers in my future graduate studies to explore early life adversity and hypersexuality as a respondent factor. I am particularly interested in utilizing proven approaches, like Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) to decrease the efficacy of PTSD flashbacks for mothers, especially victims of interfamilial child torture (ICT) involving sexual abuse. My dedication to create a more informed culture for children and developmentally based psychological science for women is a privilege I am honored to have. After I complete my graduate studies and receive a Ph.D. of Clinical Health Psychology, I hope to become an esteemed faculty member at a university, where I lecture and have my own research lab and mentor the next generation of psychology students. I aspire to mentor undergraduate women who are in the position I found myself in so long ago, instilling a legacy of communal support and fostering a collaborative and safe space for all. Moreover, another long-term goal is to found my own non-profit in my hometown of Wichita, KS. This organization would provide free, culturally-informed and evidence-based mental health services for low-income mothers and their children. My efforts and future goals reflect and will translate into complex research and tangible community benefit for women from all walks of life, addressing health equity where it is most needed. I see myself as a woman unafraid to confront the hard questions. My goal is to function as a research, professor, and clinical, helping other women find catharsis in their trauma, and realize their potential for resilience, happiness, and success. Thank you humbly for your time and consideration.

My decision to pursue a Ph.D. in Clinical Health Psychology stems from a personal mission to transform trauma, mental resistance--into resilience, particularly for women. I've witnessed the lasting impact of intergenerational trauma on the women who raised me, fueling a deep desire to understand "why" and, more importantly, interrupting these painful cycles. I am a fourth-year undergraduate student at the University of Kansas, where I am pursuing a career as a researcher, clinician, and eventually professor of psychology surveying the possible links between reproduction and trauma in women with PTSD. Alas, my intent is not solely on treatment, but on prevention, addressing the underlying factors contributing to psychopathology that can be transmitted across generations. For the last year I have been focused on the intersection of trauma and reproductive psychology, as I am interested in the prevention and treatment of PTSD in mothers, particularly during the perinatal period. During my time as an undergraduate researcher at KU, I have studied early life adversity (ELA) and maternal experience/ambivalent feelings in women's health. Questioning how exactly ELA impacts childless college-aged women and how we can equip them with resilience and coping skills allows me to work to prevent PTSD flashbacks from impacting future parenting. My quick wit and reason to action, honed through academic and research experiences like the TRIO McNair Scholars Program, are the tools I will bring to this challenge. As a young woman in the world of science, I plan to advance the understanding of PTSD manifestation during the perinatal period, collaborating with researchers in my future graduate studies to explore early life adversity and hypersexuality as a respondent factor. I am particularly interested in utilizing proven approaches, like Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) to decrease the efficacy of PTSD flashbacks for mothers, especially victims of interfamilial child torture (ICT) involving sexual abuse. My dedication to create a more informed culture for children and developmentally based psychological science for women is a privilege I am honored to have. After I complete my graduate studies and receive a Ph.D. of Clinical Health Psychology, I hope to become an esteemed faculty member at a university, where I lecture and have my own research lab and mentor the next generation of psychology students. I aspire to mentor undergraduate women who are in the position I found myself in so long ago, instilling a legacy of communal support and fostering a collaborative and safe space for all. Moreover, another long-term goal is to found my own non-profit in my hometown of Wichita, KS. This organization would provide free, culturally-informed and evidence-based mental health services for low-income mothers and their children. My efforts and future goals reflect and will translate into complex research and tangible community benefit for women from all walks of life, addressing health equity where it is most needed. I see myself as a woman unafraid to confront the hard questions. My goal is to function as a research, professor, and clinical, helping other women find catharsis in their trauma, and realize their potential for resilience, happiness, and success. Thank you humbly for your time and consideration.

My decision to pursue a Ph.D. in Clinical Health Psychology stems from a personal mission to transform trauma, mental resistance--into resilience, particularly for women. I've witnessed the lasting impact of intergenerational trauma on the women who raised me, fueling a deep desire to understand "why" and, more importantly, interrupting these painful cycles. I am a fourth-year undergraduate student at the University of Kansas, where I am pursuing a career as a researcher, clinician, and eventually professor of psychology surveying the possible links between reproduction and trauma in women with PTSD. Alas, my intent is not solely on treatment, but on prevention, addressing the underlying factors contributing to psychopathology that can be transmitted across generations. For the last year I have been focused on the intersection of trauma and reproductive psychology, as I am interested in the prevention and treatment of PTSD in mothers, particularly during the perinatal period. During my time as an undergraduate researcher at KU, I have studied early life adversity (ELA) and maternal experience/ambivalent feelings in women's health. Questioning how exactly ELA impacts childless college-aged women and how we can equip them with resilience and coping skills allows me to work to prevent PTSD flashbacks from impacting future parenting. My quick wit and reason to action, honed through academic and research experiences like the TRIO McNair Scholars Program, are the tools I will bring to this challenge. As a young woman in the world of science, I plan to advance the understanding of PTSD manifestation during the perinatal period, collaborating with researchers in my future graduate studies to explore early life adversity and hypersexuality as a respondent factor. I am particularly interested in utilizing proven approaches, like Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) to decrease the efficacy of PTSD flashbacks for mothers, especially victims of interfamilial child torture (ICT) involving sexual abuse. My dedication to create a more informed culture for children and developmentally based psychological science for women is a privilege I am honored to have. After I complete my graduate studies and receive a Ph.D. of Clinical Health Psychology, I hope to become an esteemed faculty member at a university, where I lecture and have my own research lab and mentor the next generation of psychology students. I aspire to mentor undergraduate women who are in the position I found myself in so long ago, instilling a legacy of communal support and fostering a collaborative and safe space for all. Moreover, another long-term goal is to found my own non-profit in my hometown of Wichita, KS. This organization would provide free, culturally-informed and evidence-based mental health services for low-income mothers and their children. My efforts and future goals reflect and will translate into complex research and tangible community benefit for women from all walks of life, addressing health equity where it is most needed. I see myself as a woman unafraid to confront the hard questions. My goal is to function as a research, professor, and clinical, helping other women find catharsis in their trauma, and realize their potential for resilience, happiness, and success. Thank you humbly for your time and consideration.

My decision to pursue a Ph.D. in Clinical Health Psychology stems from a personal mission to transform trauma, mental resistance--into resilience, particularly for women. I've witnessed the lasting impact of intergenerational trauma on the women who raised me, fueling a deep desire to understand "why" and, more importantly, interrupting these painful cycles. I am a fourth-year undergraduate student at the University of Kansas, where I am pursuing a career as a researcher, clinician, and eventually professor of psychology surveying the possible links between reproduction and trauma in women with PTSD. Alas, my intent is not solely on treatment, but on prevention, addressing the underlying factors contributing to psychopathology that can be transmitted across generations. For the last year I have been focused on the intersection of trauma and reproductive psychology, as I am interested in the prevention and treatment of PTSD in mothers, particularly during the perinatal period. During my time as an undergraduate researcher at KU, I have studied early life adversity (ELA) and maternal experience/ambivalent feelings in women's health. Questioning how exactly ELA impacts childless college-aged women and how we can equip them with resilience and coping skills allows me to work to prevent PTSD flashbacks from impacting future parenting. My quick wit and reason to action, honed through academic and research experiences like the TRIO McNair Scholars Program, are the tools I will bring to this challenge. As a young woman in the world of science, I plan to advance the understanding of PTSD manifestation during the perinatal period, collaborating with researchers in my future graduate studies to explore early life adversity and hypersexuality as a respondent factor. I am particularly interested in utilizing proven approaches, like Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) to decrease the efficacy of PTSD flashbacks for mothers, especially victims of interfamilial child torture (ICT) involving sexual abuse. My dedication to create a more informed culture for children and developmentally based psychological science for women is a privilege I am honored to have. After I complete my graduate studies and receive a Ph.D. of Clinical Health Psychology, I hope to become an esteemed faculty member at a university, where I lecture and have my own research lab and mentor the next generation of psychology students. I aspire to mentor undergraduate women who are in the position I found myself in so long ago, instilling a legacy of communal support and fostering a collaborative and safe space for all. Moreover, another long-term goal is to found my own non-profit in my hometown of Wichita, KS. This organization would provide free, culturally-informed and evidence-based mental health services for low-income mothers and their children. My efforts and future goals reflect and will translate into complex research and tangible community benefit for women from all walks of life, addressing health equity where it is most needed. I see myself as a woman unafraid to confront the hard questions. My goal is to function as a research, professor, and clinical, helping other women find catharsis in their trauma, and realize their potential for resilience, happiness, and success. Thank you humbly for your time and consideration.

My decision to pursue a Ph.D. in Clinical Health Psychology stems from a personal mission to transform trauma, mental resistance--into resilience, particularly for women. I've witnessed the lasting impact of intergenerational trauma on the women who raised me, fueling a deep desire to understand "why" and, more importantly, interrupting these painful cycles. I am a fourth-year undergraduate student at the University of Kansas, where I am pursuing a career as a researcher, clinician, and eventually professor of psychology surveying the possible links between reproduction and trauma in women with PTSD. Alas, my intent is not solely on treatment, but on prevention, addressing the underlying factors contributing to psychopathology that can be transmitted across generations. For the last year I have been focused on the intersection of trauma and reproductive psychology, as I am interested in the prevention and treatment of PTSD in mothers, particularly during the perinatal period. During my time as an undergraduate researcher at KU, I have studied early life adversity (ELA) and maternal experience/ambivalent feelings in women's health. Questioning how exactly ELA impacts childless college-aged women and how we can equip them with resilience and coping skills allows me to work to prevent PTSD flashbacks from impacting future parenting. My quick wit and reason to action, honed through academic and research experiences like the TRIO McNair Scholars Program, are the tools I will bring to this challenge. As a young woman in the world of science, I plan to advance the understanding of PTSD manifestation during the perinatal period, collaborating with researchers in my future graduate studies to explore early life adversity and hypersexuality as a respondent factor. I am particularly interested in utilizing proven approaches, like Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) to decrease the efficacy of PTSD flashbacks for mothers, especially victims of interfamilial child torture (ICT) involving sexual abuse. My dedication to create a more informed culture for children and developmentally based psychological science for women is a privilege I am honored to have. After I complete my graduate studies and receive a Ph.D. of Clinical Health Psychology, I hope to become an esteemed faculty member at a university, where I lecture and have my own research lab and mentor the next generation of psychology students. I aspire to mentor undergraduate women who are in the position I found myself in so long ago, instilling a legacy of communal support and fostering a collaborative and safe space for all. Moreover, another long-term goal is to found my own non-profit in my hometown of Wichita, KS. This organization would provide free, culturally-informed and evidence-based mental health services for low-income mothers and their children. My efforts and future goals reflect and will translate into complex research and tangible community benefit for women from all walks of life, addressing health equity where it is most needed. I see myself as a woman unafraid to confront the hard questions. My goal is to function as a research, professor, and clinical, helping other women find catharsis in their trauma, and realize their potential for resilience, happiness, and success. Thank you humbly for your time and consideration.

My decision to pursue a Ph.D. in Clinical Health Psychology stems from a personal mission to transform trauma, mental resistance--into resilience, particularly for women. I've witnessed the lasting impact of intergenerational trauma on the women who raised me, fueling a deep desire to understand "why" and, more importantly, interrupting these painful cycles. I am a fourth-year undergraduate student at the University of Kansas, where I am pursuing a career as a researcher, clinician, and eventually professor of psychology surveying the possible links between reproduction and trauma in women with PTSD. Alas, my intent is not solely on treatment, but on prevention, addressing the underlying factors contributing to psychopathology that can be transmitted across generations. For the last year I have been focused on the intersection of trauma and reproductive psychology, as I am interested in the prevention and treatment of PTSD in mothers, particularly during the perinatal period. During my time as an undergraduate researcher at KU, I have studied early life adversity (ELA) and maternal experience/ambivalent feelings in women's health. Questioning how exactly ELA impacts childless college-aged women and how we can equip them with resilience and coping skills allows me to work to prevent PTSD flashbacks from impacting future parenting. My quick wit and reason to action, honed through academic and research experiences like the TRIO McNair Scholars Program, are the tools I will bring to this challenge. As a young woman in the world of science, I plan to advance the understanding of PTSD manifestation during the perinatal period, collaborating with researchers in my future graduate studies to explore early life adversity and hypersexuality as a respondent factor. I am particularly interested in utilizing proven approaches, like Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) to decrease the efficacy of PTSD flashbacks for mothers, especially victims of interfamilial child torture (ICT) involving sexual abuse. My dedication to create a more informed culture for children and developmentally based psychological science for women is a privilege I am honored to have. After I complete my graduate studies and receive a Ph.D. of Clinical Health Psychology, I hope to become an esteemed faculty member at a university, where I lecture and have my own research lab and mentor the next generation of psychology students. I aspire to mentor undergraduate women who are in the position I found myself in so long ago, instilling a legacy of communal support and fostering a collaborative and safe space for all. Moreover, another long-term goal is to found my own non-profit in my hometown of Wichita, KS. This organization would provide free, culturally-informed and evidence-based mental health services for low-income mothers and their children. My efforts and future goals reflect and will translate into complex research and tangible community benefit for women from all walks of life, addressing health equity where it is most needed. I see myself as a woman unafraid to confront the hard questions. My goal is to function as a research, professor, and clinical, helping other women find catharsis in their trauma, and realize their potential for resilience, happiness, and success. Thank you humbly for your time and consideration.

My decision to pursue a Ph.D. in Clinical Health Psychology stems from a personal mission to transform trauma, mental resistance--into resilience, particularly for women. I've witnessed the lasting impact of intergenerational trauma on the women who raised me, fueling a deep desire to understand "why" and, more importantly, interrupting these painful cycles. I am a fourth-year undergraduate student at the University of Kansas, where I am pursuing a career as a researcher, clinician, and eventually professor of psychology surveying the possible links between reproduction and trauma in women with PTSD. Alas, my intent is not solely on treatment, but on prevention, addressing the underlying factors contributing to psychopathology that can be transmitted across generations. For the last year I have been focused on the intersection of trauma and reproductive psychology, as I am interested in the prevention and treatment of PTSD in mothers, particularly during the perinatal period. During my time as an undergraduate researcher at KU, I have studied early life adversity (ELA) and maternal experience/ambivalent feelings in women's health. Questioning how exactly ELA impacts childless college-aged women and how we can equip them with resilience and coping skills allows me to work to prevent PTSD flashbacks from impacting future parenting. My quick wit and reason to action, honed through academic and research experiences like the TRIO McNair Scholars Program, are the tools I will bring to this challenge. As a young woman in the world of science, I plan to advance the understanding of PTSD manifestation during the perinatal period, collaborating with researchers in my future graduate studies to explore early life adversity and hypersexuality as a respondent factor. I am particularly interested in utilizing proven approaches, like Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) to decrease the efficacy of PTSD flashbacks for mothers, especially victims of interfamilial child torture (ICT) involving sexual abuse. My dedication to create a more informed culture for children and developmentally based psychological science for women is a privilege I am honored to have. After I complete my graduate studies and receive a Ph.D. of Clinical Health Psychology, I hope to become an esteemed faculty member at a university, where I lecture and have my own research lab and mentor the next generation of psychology students. I aspire to mentor undergraduate women who are in the position I found myself in so long ago, instilling a legacy of communal support and fostering a collaborative and safe space for all. Moreover, another long-term goal is to found my own non-profit in my hometown of Wichita, KS. This organization would provide free, culturally-informed and evidence-based mental health services for low-income mothers and their children. My efforts and future goals reflect and will translate into complex research and tangible community benefit for women from all walks of life, addressing health equity where it is most needed. I see myself as a woman unafraid to confront the hard questions. My goal is to function as a research, professor, and clinical, helping other women find catharsis in their trauma, and realize their potential for resilience, happiness, and success. Thank you humbly for your time and consideration.

The earliest memories I have of my mother are snapshots: her carrying me on her hip, visibly tired, and always moving forward. An absent father only heightened her exhaustion, but she pressed on. As I grew up, I began to understand the toll generational trauma and unsupported maternal mental health had taken, not just on her but on both of us. My name is Madison Knoll-Ahern, and I am a fourth-year undergraduate student at the University of Kansas pursuing a B.A. in Psychology with a minor in Applied Behavioral Science. My passion for women's health hails from not only those early stills of my mother--living through the intergenerational impact of trauma and witnessing how the lack of support for maternal mental health shapes not only a woman's life, but her child's developmental trajectory. Making early observations like these planted the seed for my desired academic mission: bridging clinical and developmental research and real-world mental healthcare resources to promote resilience in motherhood, effective treatment for mothers and children, and making lasting generational change. This summer I am completing an independent research project through the McNair Scholars Program under the mentorship of Dr. Richard Yi. This allows me to independently investigate the relationship between adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) and motherhood intentions in college women, an area of women's health that is critically under-explored. Grounded in developmental psychopathology and trauma-informed frameworks, my work expands on unresolved childhood trauma influencing reproductive decision making, not only as a biological or socioeconomic issue, but one rooted in identity formation and emotional readiness for parenthood. Incorporating measures including the 10-item ACEs questionnaire, the Connor-Davidson Resilience Scale (CD-RISC-25), and the recently developed Maternal Ambivalence Questionnaire (MAQ) allows me to quantify nuanced constructs in psychology and analyze how trauma and resilience interact in shaping future motherhood intentions. In August 2025, I will begin data collection from female-identifying students aged 18-29, utilizing KU's SONA system. My long-term goal is to develop trauma-informed screening tools and resilience-based interventions that can be used in university health centers, OB/GYN clinics, and mental health settings to empower young women making reproductive decisions that align with their emotional well-being. I plan on applying to Ph.D programs for the 2026 - 2027 cycle in Clinical and Developmental Psychology. What once seemed impossible is coming to fruition, and I am ecstatic to embark on this continued academic journey. Another long-term goal of mine is to found a nonprofit in my hometown of Wichita, Kansas, dedicated to providing free, evidence-based mental health services for low-income mothers and their children. Beyond research, I co-founded and serve as President of the newly established Psychology Society at KU, where I collaborate with organizations like KU Feminist Campus and other groups on mental health outreach and advocacy. Through this work, we aim to divulge treatment and foster community dialogue around women's wellness. I've also served as an administrative assistant in the Psychology Department for over a year, supporting course materials, managing inquiries from faculty and more. I also spent 10 months volunteering with HeartSupport, ensuring individuals received mental health support and crisis intervention. Reproductive decision-making is narrowly framed as a "milestone" or women, yet, the lack of societal support reflects heavily in today's window of women's mental health. An emphasis must be placed on innovation in women's health not only occurring in labs, but simply by asking different questions. Receiving support from this scholarship will allow me to continue developing my work into future graduate work, designing tools and interventions helping women manage their reproductive decisions with dignity, insight, and agency. Thank you for your time and consideration.

The earliest memories I have of my mother are snapshots: her carrying me on her hip, visibly tired, and always moving forward. An absent father only heightened her exhaustion, but she pressed on. As I grew up, I began to understand the toll generational trauma and unsupported maternal mental health had taken, not just on her but on both of us. My name is Madison Knoll-Ahern, and I am a fourth-year undergraduate student at the University of Kansas pursuing a B.A. in Psychology with a minor in Applied Behavioral Science. My passion for women's health hails from not only those early stills of my mother; Living through the intergenerational impact of trauma and witnessing how the lack of support for maternal mental health shapes not only a woman's life, but her child's developmental trajectory. Making early observations like these planted the seed for my desired academic mission: bridging clinical and developmental research and real-world mental healthcare resources to promote resilience in motherhood, effective treatment for mothers and children, and making lasting generational change. This summer I am completing an independent research project through the McNair Scholars Program under the esteemed mentorship of Dr. Richard Yi. The summer research internship allows me to independently investigate the relationship between adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) and motherhood intentions in college women, an area of women's health that is critically under-explored. Grounded in developmental psychopathology and trauma-informed frameworks, my work expands on unresolved childhood trauma influencing reproductive decision making, not only as a biological or socioeconomic issue, but one rooted in identify formation and emotional readiness for parenthood. Incorporating measures including the 10-item ACEs questionnaire, the Connor-Davidson Resilience Scale (CD-RISC-25), and the newly developed Maternal Ambivalence Questionnaire (MAQ) allows me to quantify nuanced constructs commonly viewed in psychology and analyze how trauma and resilience interact in shaping future motherhood intentions. In August 2025, I will begin data collection from female-identifying students aged 18-29, utilizing Qualtrics and SONA systems. My long-term goal is to develop trauma-informed screening tools and resilience-based interventions that can be used in university health centers, OB/GYN clinics, and mental health settings to empower young women making reproductive decisions that align with their emotional well-being. Beyond research, I am in the process of applying to Ph.D programs for the 2026 - 2027 cycle in Clinical and Developmental Psychology. What once seemed impossible is coming to fruition, and I am ecstatic to embark on this continued academic journey. However, another long-term goal of mine is to found a nonprofit in my hometown of Wichita, Kansas, dedicated to providing free, evidence-based mental health services for low-income mothers and their children. Reproductive decision-making is often convicted as somewhat of a "milestone" for women, yet, the lack of societal support reflects heavily in today's window of women's mental health. An emphasis must be placed on innovation in women's health not only occurring in labs, but simply by asking different questions. Throughout this process, I will go on to blossom into the Clinical Psychologist and researcher I aspire to become, which in my eyes is not only cathartic but also the most rewarding gift life could provide me. With the support of the "Elevate Mental Health Awareness Scholarship," I can continue developing my work into my graduate career, designing tools and interventions helping women manage their reproductive decisions with dignity, insight, and agency. Thank you for your time and consideration.

The earliest memories I have of my mother are snapshots: her carrying me on her hip, visibly tired, and always moving forward. An absent father only heightened her exhaustion, but she pressed on. As I grew up, I began to understand the toll generational trauma and unsupported maternal mental health had taken, not just on her but on both of us. My name is Madison Knoll-Ahern, and I am a fourth-year undergraduate student at the University of Kansas pursuing a B.A. in Psychology with a minor in Applied Behavioral Science. My passion for women's health hails from not only those early stills of my mother; Living through the intergenerational impact of trauma and witnessing how the lack of support for maternal mental health shapes not only a woman's life, but her child's developmental trajectory. Making early observations like these planted the seed for my desired academic mission: bridging clinical and developmental research and real-world mental healthcare resources to promote resilience in motherhood, effective treatment for mothers and children, and making lasting generational change. This summer I am completing an independent research project through the McNair Scholars Program under the esteemed mentorship of Dr. Richard Yi. The summer research internship allows me to independently investigate the relationship between adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) and motherhood intentions in college women, an area of women's health that is critically under-explored. Grounded in developmental psychopathology and trauma-informed frameworks, my work expands on unresolved childhood trauma influencing reproductive decision making, not only as a biological or socioeconomic issue, but one rooted in identify formation and emotional readiness for parenthood. Incorporating measures including the 10-item ACEs questionnaire, the Connor-Davidson Resilience Scale (CD-RISC-25), and the newly developed Maternal Ambivalence Questionnaire (MAQ) allows me to quantify nuanced constructs commonly viewed in psychology and analyze how trauma and resilience interact in shaping future motherhood intentions. In August 2025, I will begin data collection from female-identifying students aged 18-29, utilizing Qualtrics and SONA systems. My long-term goal is to develop trauma-informed screening tools and resilience-based interventions that can be used in university health centers, OB/GYN clinics, and mental health settings to empower young women making reproductive decisions that align with their emotional well-being. Beyond research, I am in the process of applying to Ph.D programs for the 2026 - 2027 cycle in Clinical and Developmental Psychology. What once seemed impossible is coming to fruition, and I am ecstatic to embark on this continued academic journey. However, another long-term goal of mine is to found a nonprofit in my hometown of Wichita, Kansas, dedicated to providing free, evidence-based mental health services for low-income mothers and their children. Reproductive decision-making is often convicted as somewhat of a "milestone" for women, yet, the lack of societal support reflects heavily in today's window of women's mental health. An emphasis must be placed on innovation in women's health not only occurring in labs, but simply by asking different questions. Receiving support from the Women's Health Research & Innovation Scholarship will allow me to continue developing my work into future graduate work, designing tools and interventions helping women manage their reproductive decisions with dignity, insight, and agency. Thank you for your consideration.

As a first-generation student navigating the complexities of academia, anxiety and her close friend depression have loomed close by along the way, waiting for the chance to strike and attack my mind. Like many others, these disorders compounded by the ongoing pressure of academic success have beat me down at times, making things seem hopeless in my already difficult journey. Alas, with the right support systems and proactive measures, I have learned to prioritize my mental wellness and give myself room to thrive, academically and personally. My journey with mental health challenges began long before my college years, as I grew up in a family where mental health was stigmatized, leaving me with internalized feelings of inadequacy and shame as young as 5 years old. As I progressed through high school, things only got worse, finding myself locked away in a dark room and isolated from all living beings whenever the possibility stood open. These two disorders paired hand in hand became formidable barriers to my academic success when it came to my first semester at university, severely impacting my grades and making me feel nothing less than a failure. I was hopeless, as I had lost my scholarship, and had to lie to my parents making the guilt inside me grow even more. Alas, with the support of loving friends by my side, they gave me the final push I needed after my first semester to embark on a journey of self-discovery and resilience. After bargaining with myself and others for what seemed to be forever, I sought out help, received a formal diagnosis, and began therapy to address my mental health challenges. Through therapy, I gained insight into different coping mechanisms such as journaling, seeking time outdoors, and diaphragmatic breathing, replacing my typical isolation routine. With these new factors in my life, managing my depression and anxiety suddenly became easier, lifting a weight off my chest and allowing me to work toward academic success once again. Embracing these various holistic approaches taken to prioritize my mental health, has allowed me to flourish and navigate any turbulent thoughts or emotions calmly. I walk outside on a sunny day, taking in the rays and looking around, realizing how grateful I am to be able to experience these feelings of calmness and bliss. I am aware of the absolute importance of resilience and perseverance in the face of adversity. Despite my mental hardships, I remain steadfast in my commitment to academic excellence and personal growth. I learned to advocate for myself, seeking our resources and accommodations when needed, and cultivating a supportive network of individuals to uplift and empower me. While there are still days when things may dip into negative feelings once again, I remember to not allow them to define me, and remind myself that it shall pass. My journey with mental health challenges and being stricken by the hands of depression and anxiety have been a testament to the power of resistance, self-discovery, and support. By prioritizing my mental wellness, I have improved my academic performance and also enriched my personal life. I hope to continue my journey of hope and healing, inspiring others to prioritize their mental wellness and pursue their dreams despite the challenges they may face.

I see the young faces of my mother, aunt, and uncle smushed together in a photo booth during the early 1980s. They each wear a smile on their face, seemingly feeling a glimmer of happiness in the darkness that consumed their young lives. A small, yet simple thing the three of them no longer have. Early childhood trauma has proven to lurk in the shadows of innocence, wreaking havoc on the lives of countless individuals. The consequences of such are harrowing and devastating, leaving scars on the psyche of those who were robbed of a better, happier life. Growing up in an environment plagued by trauma, I witnessed firsthand the impact early childhood trauma can have, especially on the ones who played pivotal roles in shaping my upbringing - my mother, aunt, and uncle. Their silent battles serve as a reminder of the criticality of effective therapy, intervention, and support. My mother, my heart, has battled with debilitating depression and anxiety her entire life, her spirit weighed down by the horrors of her childhood and early adolescence which when shared with me, ripped my inner being apart too. Her past haunts me, casting a shadow over her ability to embrace life fully. My aunt, the most selfless person, has found solace in the confines of her home grappling with the bottle for nearly 30 years. I hear her cry about her younger self, wishing things could have been different, simpler, and gentler. And my uncle, a doting father to me with a broken mind, was trapped in an endless cycle of Bipolar II disorder oscillating between highs and lows. His constant denial and fear of treatment served to exacerbate his suffrage, leaving relationships with individuals including myself in ruin, and a shattered, shell of a man wondering what could have been. In watching the effects be multifaced and hideous, permeating every aspect of their being, they faced impaired emotions and interpersonal difficulties, all the way to substance abuse, leaving the repercussions of my grandparents' iron fists to rule over all. Yet, amidst the shadows still looming over my loved ones, there is a glimmer of hope for children alike - in the form of therapy. I have known my true purpose has always been to become a therapist. While my journey so far has not come without difficulty, I envision myself becoming a beacon of hope for many who have suffered at the hands of their own. Through my studies of evidence-based interventions such as trauma-focused cognitive behavioral therapy, EMDR, and more, I aim to empower individuals like my mother, aunt, and uncle to reclaim their lives and rewrite their narratives. By creating a safe and nurturing environment where clients can feel seen, heard, and validated, I hope to facilitate the healing process and leave them with a future filled with possibilities, and more importantly, hope. These experiences, while not my own, have instilled a deep sense of purpose and commitment to making a meaningful difference in the lives of others. The unimaginable hardships my family members faced motivated me to serve children and adolescents through therapy to allow them to live happily and realize their trauma does not define them. While I look back at the faded photo of my mother, aunt, and uncle, I desperately wish I could go back and hold them; show them a gentler, calmer type of love and life - because they deserve it. Every child deserves it, and while it may be personally rewarding, this journey never has been and will never be just for me. I'm doing it for them.