Center to Improve Veteran Involvement in Care (CIVIC)
Zaccari Team Spotlight
What do you enjoy most about your current position/work?
Miles: I really like how my current position involves a broad array of duties, varying from IRB submissions to participant interaction. I also enjoy being involved in multiple studies at once.
Tiona: I enjoy the breadth of experiences that it allows me to have! Following the different phases of a study at the VA and on Belle’s team has given me the chance to have in-depth conversations with Veterans and participants, work on qualitative analysis while learning from researchers who have more experience than me and pick up new skills to fill gaps that I don’t know if I would’ve learnt otherwise.
What helps you clear your head or refresh when you're feeling stuck?
Miles: When I need a break, I like to go for a short walk. It’s easy to sit for too long when you’re focused on work. Going for a walk helps my productivity and creates a more balanced workday.
Tiona: Especially now that the weather is nice, a little walk to clear my head is a favorite activity of mine. Taking my time cooking something new or playing fetch with my cat both also provide nice changes of pace.
What hobbies help your maintain a healthy work life balance?
Miles: I like to stay active outside of work, whether it’s working out, playing a sport, or walking outside.
Tiona: I find myself in the climbing gym a lot, which helps me feel balanced, and my other favorite out-of-work activity is craft nights or movie nights with friends.
What is the most difficult part of your work/what is most rewarding?
Miles: So far, it’s been really rewarding to interact with patients at the VA. It’s great to see that our behind-the-scenes work for our study is building toward helping people.
Tiona: Disconnectedness leftover from Covid can make my work week tough sometimes, but a check-in meeting or chat with coworkers does wonders to lighten that. An especially rewarding part of my work is when I see hard work pay off for colleagues in the form of conference recognition, abstract acceptances, and presentations!
What are your future goals/plans?
Miles: I plan to pursue a PhD in Clinical or Counseling Psychology. In my career, I want to have a mix between clinical work and research.
Tiona: I am hoping to continue broadening my research skillset and experience, in the direction of neurodivergence within psychology. Understanding the societal and structural components of treatment and how these factors interplay within research development and innovation is a vital part of what I hope to be studying in the future!
