As well as teaching, Carolina is working towards the publication of the four chapters of a PhD thesis, which consisted of an umbrella review, a quantitative paper and two qualitative papers. Carolina has already contributed to the publication of a systematic review on the influence of romantic relationships on mental wellbeing in psychosis, and of a meta-analysis on the relationship between childhood adversities and dissociation in severe mental illness.
Carolina's interest for the psychological sequelae of trauma stems from the years spent working as a volunteer paramedic for the Italian Red Cross, which led to complete a study abroad experience in Norway and then to Manchester for an MSc in International Disaster Management. To combine what Carolina learnt with previous studies in clinical psychology, Carolina applied and successfully obtained a Research Impact Scholarship to complete a PhD in Manchester. The PhD investigated protective factors from trauma in people with experiences of psychosis.
During the PhD, Carolina helped to create scholarships for future students thanks to a collaboration with the Division of Development & Alumni Relations, which engages high profile donors with the missions of the University. Carolina gave talks about the research and its impact during events specifically organised for influential alumni and at international conferences. For three years Carolina also held the role of PGR student representative for the School of Health Science, and in recognition of my efforts in this role, in 2019 I received the Doctoral Academy Award for Outstanding Student Representative.
Before coming to UCLan, Carolina taught on several BPS core areas at the University of Manchester and successfully supervised undergraduate thesis research projects.
