Summary
Work History
Education
Skills
Accomplishments
Certification
Timeline
Overview
Publications and Presentations
Professional Memberships
Generic
Beren Crim Sabuncu

Beren Crim Sabuncu

Doctoral Student
Tallahassee,FL

Summary

A dedicated mentor, teaching assistant, and research assistant with a strong commitment to education, diversity, and research in social work. A strong research focus on HIV, intimate partner violence, and trauma etiology, with an emphasis on sexual and gender minorities. Research-related aptitudes include a solid foundation in rigorous research methodologies, proficiency in data analysis techniques, and a keen ability to uncover meaningful insights.

Work History

Teaching Assistant

Florida State University
Tallahassee, FL
08.2023 - Current
  • Assistant Professor Keithen Mathis in teaching Diversity and Social Justice course to undergraduate social work students in a class of 20 students.
  • Supported classroom activities, tutoring, and reviewing work in Diversity and Social Justice.
  • Constructed reading assignments for students, selecting reading material that would guide their understanding of diversity, equity, and inclusion.
  • Taught two sessions, one on social justice and another on human rights, constructing PowerPoint presentations and in-class activities to aid their learning.

Mentor

Florida State University
Tallahassee, FL
08.2022 - Current
  • Worked within the Undergraduate Research Opportunity Program (UROP) as a mentor.
  • In the academic years of 2022-2023 and 2023-2034, oversaw and worked with 8 mentees in total.
  • Planned, developed, and implemented strategies to convey information with key decision makers such as project leads, UROP administration.
  • Guided mentees with research project assignments, professional growth trainings, and career trajectory-related meetings.

Graduate Research Assistant

Center For Population Sciences For Health Equity
Tallahassee, FL
05.2022 - Current
  • Worked on a NIH- funded (R21TW011759-01A1) project on minority stress and HIV-related trauma experiences of Vietnamese LGBT+ identified men.
  • Serving as part of a cohort of researchers who are working on a NIH-funded (3R01MD01350) dataset, titled “Unpacking Mechanisms of Disparities for HIV-related Hypertension in African American and Asian Pacific American Men who Have Sex with Men”. Within this cohort, leading a manuscript reviewing the impact of trauma experiences and maladaptive health behaviors on HIV health outcomes (such as viral loads or medication adherence).
  • Contributed to a study, funded by the Lesbian Health Fund, that examines orientation-specific intimate partner violence (IPV) stressors of bisexual individuals.

Research Assistant

Florida State University
Tallahassee, FL
11.2021 - Current
  • Working with Dr. Amy Ai on diverse range of studies on health inequity, cardiovascular disease, media use, and post traumatic growth. Have co-authored one book chapter and 2 journal articles.
  • Prepared materials for reports, presentations and submission to peer-reviewed journal publications. Submitted applications for 7 presentations and 1 symposium.

Crisis Counselor

Crisis Text Line
Remote, NY
08.2020 - Current
  • Demonstrated professional aptitude for crisis counseling after which 30 hours of training modules on a wide range of subjects including but not limited to crisis counseling in cases of sexual assault, suicide ideation, anxiety, depression, and related resources.
  • Providing crisis counseling to those in need at a rate of 4 hours per week, and with a commitment of at least 200 hours of total service.
  • Evaluated risk to client or others by gathering information and conducting assessments, and documented risk to each client and context of concerns.

Research Assistant

Florida State University
Tallahassee, FL
09.2021 - 08.2023
  • Working with Dr. Melissa Radey on studies focusing on the Child Welfare system.
  • I have experience with a diverse range of systems. I have created and edited Qualtrics surveyflow using complex functions, used qualitative coding software such as NVivo to analyze data, and have experience with the FEAS system.
  • Experience with conducting a literature review and charting literature if necessary for the study, and have worked as a co-author on a paper.

R*pe Survivor Advocate

Safe Horizon Staten Island Community Program
Staten Island, NY
01.2019 - 12.2021
  • Redesigned the Rape Survivor Advocate (RSA) Training Manuals by examining said manuals for any theoretical and grammatical errors and modifying its modules with necessary changes.
  • Corresponded with clients regarding annual and publicized events such as the Candle Vigil and Denim Day. Signal boosted said events on social media to increase awareness and participation.
  • Co-facilitated psycho-education events regarding sexual violence, different forms of intimate partner violence (IPV), and campus safety at our partner colleges (College of Staten Island, Wagner College, St.John's University).
  • Launched school-wide social media campaigns to inform students of these trainings as well as to start conversations around DV, IPV, and sexual violence.
  • As an RSA, worked closely with affiliated hospital staff to optimize SICP services for survivors.

Research Assistant

New York University Stern School Of Business
New York, NY
08.2020 - 05.2021
  • Examined nuances of charitable giving under guidance of Dr. Joshua Lewis, focusing specifically on how framing overhead costs incentivizes donations.
  • Compiled multiple information manuals of organizational cost framing habits, contact information for future research alliances, and overviews of expenditures.
  • Received training in systems such as Qualtrics to develop competency in composing multi layered research surveys.
  • Summarized search results by preparing written reports, graphs, fact sheets and tables.
  • Produced survey materials for post-study Appendix.
  • Wrote and edited data collection forms and questionnaires.

School Success Coordinator

International Rescue Committee
New York, NY
08.2020 - 05.2021
  • Advocated for clients’ rights within NYC Education System by coordinating weekly Zoom meetings with clients from diverse cultural backgrounds.
  • Worked closely with a caseload of 23 distinct families with diverse and unique needs regarding topics such as immigration law, housing insecurity, domestic violence, systemic barriers to education, and language assistance (in French).
  • Attended weekly sessions of individual and group supervision to promote professional growth and enforce self-care in practice.
  • Provided comprehensive support services encompassing career and personal goals of student.

Media Intern

Dignified Children International
Remote, Kenya, Nairobi
06.2020 - 05.2021
  • Designed initiative called DCI Ambassadors Program which aims to invite high profile Kenyan industry Leaders to represent DCI on their social media as well as invite followers and, in some cases, fans to contribute to campaigns.
  • Facilitated abovementioned initiative with institutional support from mentor Phoebe Maina, founder of Dignified Children International and recipient of UNFPA I AM 2.0 Grant.
  • Helped develop website portals and social media pages to promote businesses.

Graduate Social Work Intern

William T. Davis School, Department Of Education
Staten Island, NY
09.2019 - 05.2020
  • Served eight individual therapy clients and facilitated two groups of six students respectively pertaining to complex psychosocial issues using an intersectional approach.
  • Identified at-risk students, created detailed plans for specialized education and behavioral skills and communicated plans with parents and school staff.
  • Developed and facilitated goal-oriented psycho-education and therapy groups to improve students' quality of life during which important topics such as gender and sexual orientation, mindfulness, and identity construction were discussed.
  • Collaborated with multidisciplinary teams of school psychologists, teachers and administrators to implement Individualized Education Plans.

Research Assistant

College of Staten Island
Staten Island, NY
01.2019 - 05.2019
  • Conducted research for contributions to Dr.Lauren Rogers-Sirin's book on the oversimplification of mental health problems in self-help books which included penning literature reviews, analyzing the current self-help market and assessing self-help book archetypes.
  • Compiled an extensive list of self-help books published in the last 5 years which have claims of emotional and psychological problem eradication through one-size-fits-all psychosocial treatments.
  • Summarized search results by preparing written reports.

Vice President | Board Member

New York Public Interest Research Group, NYPIRG
Staten Island, NY
05.2016 - 01.2019
  • Organized 30+ events with partnering organizations including Project Hospitality, CHASI, and Ali Forney focusing on community issues such as hunger and homelessness, equitable access to education, and environmental awareness.
  • Represented NYPIRG at the State Senate as Team Leader to lobby for CUNY-wide program funding with elected officials.

Intern

Bertha Harris Women’s Center
Staten Island, NY
08.2018 - 12.2018
  • Collaborated on organizing 15 events for approximately 175 people ranging from donation drives to outreach demonstrations.
  • Designed and developed concept for a Bertha Harris Women’s Center funded event on the College of Staten Island campus pertaining to different facets of menstruation paying special attention to adopting a gender identity affirming approach.
  • Co-facilitated a campus-wide panel on LGBTQ+ Identities.

Research Assistant

College of Staten Island
Staten Island, NY
09.2016 - 05.2017
  • Authored thesis under guidance of Professor Ashley Dawson titled, “Modern Heroism in the Face of Archaic Adversity: The Life and Works of Abdelrahman Munif” on parallels between Munif’s petro-fictive dystopian society and a Marxist society.

Education

Ph.D. - Social Work

Florida State University
Tallahassee, FL
08.2021 - Current

Master of Social Work -

New York University Silver School of Social Work
New York, NY
08.2019 - 05.2021

Bachelor of Arts - Psychology And English Literature

College Of Staten Island, CUNY
Staten Island, NY
01.2015 - 05.2019

Skills

Individual and group instruction

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Accomplishments

  • Received Citrus Health Network Scholarship for Graduate Students ($1000) (2022-2023)
  • Christopher D. Hefren Child Welfare Endowed Doctoral Scholarship ($1000) (2021-2022; 2022-2023)
  • Point Foundation Semifinalist
  • Wasserman Internship Grant ($1000)
  • Chameleon John Scholarship Recipient ($500)
  • Creator Institute Student Author
  • Adaptive Leadership for Human Services Fellow ($1500)
  • Merit-Based Scholarship Recipient ($21000)
  • Child Welfare Scholarship Recipient ($5000)
  • Malave Leadership Academy Student Leader Award
  • Malave Leadership Academy Mentorship Award
  • NYPIRG Willowbrook Award

Certification

Thrive NYC Mental Health First Aid Training

Timeline

Teaching Assistant

Florida State University
08.2023 - Current

Mentor

Florida State University
08.2022 - Current

Graduate Research Assistant

Center For Population Sciences For Health Equity
05.2022 - Current

Research Assistant

Florida State University
11.2021 - Current

Research Assistant

Florida State University
09.2021 - 08.2023

FSU Faculty, Staff and Students-Social/Behavioral Training Module, CITI Program

09-2021

Ph.D. - Social Work

Florida State University
08.2021 - Current

SARET Modules I-VI

12-2020

Crisis Counselor

Crisis Text Line
08.2020 - Current

Research Assistant

New York University Stern School Of Business
08.2020 - 05.2021

School Success Coordinator

International Rescue Committee
08.2020 - 05.2021

Media Intern

Dignified Children International
06.2020 - 05.2021

Graduate Social Work Intern

William T. Davis School, Department Of Education
09.2019 - 05.2020

Master of Social Work -

New York University Silver School of Social Work
08.2019 - 05.2021
Thrive NYC Mental Health First Aid Training
03-2019

R*pe Survivor Advocate

Safe Horizon Staten Island Community Program
01.2019 - 12.2021

Research Assistant

College of Staten Island
01.2019 - 05.2019

Intern

Bertha Harris Women’s Center
08.2018 - 12.2018

Research Assistant

College of Staten Island
09.2016 - 05.2017

Vice President | Board Member

New York Public Interest Research Group, NYPIRG
05.2016 - 01.2019

Bachelor of Arts - Psychology And English Literature

College Of Staten Island, CUNY
01.2015 - 05.2019

Overview

7
7
years of professional experience
8
8
years of post-secondary education
3
3
Certificates
3
3
Languages

Publications and Presentations

Completed Presentations

  • Ai, A., Sabuncu, B. (2022). Existential Crises, Human Strengths, and Racial Justice in Diverse Populations: Multifaceted Outcomes of Deadly Hurricanes. Symposium. International Society for Traumatic Stress Studies. Atlanta, GA, United States.
  • Ai, A., Sabuncu, B. (2022). Gender and Age Effects on PTG Explained by Psychological Factors in Cardiac Patients. Poster Presentation. Gerontological Society of America. Indianapolis, IN, United States.
  • Ai, A., Sabuncu, B. (2022). Age Differences in Depression and Anxiety Levels of Open Heart Surgery Patients. Poster Presentation. Gerontological Society of America.Indianapolis, IN, United States.
  • Li,W., Sabuncu, B., Ai, A. (2022). Post-hurricane Outcomes: Complicated Roles of Negative Coping, Situational Indicators, and Dispositional Factor. Society of Behavioral Medicine. Baltimore, MD, United States.
  • Ai, A., Sabuncu, B. (2022) Cardiac Depression: Influences of Gender, Quality of Life, and Optimism [Poster Presentation] Div. 35 Society for the Psychology of Women. American Psychological Association Conference, Minneapolis,MN, United States.
  • Sabuncu, B., Ai, A. (2022) Preoperative Dispositional Optimism and Postoperative Anxiety in Open Heart Surgery Patients [Poster Presentation] Div. 38 Society for Health Psychology. American Psychological Association Conference, Minneapolis,MN, United States.
  • Sabuncu, B., Eng, W., Samuels, E., Rotondo., L. (2018, September). Mental Health in Underprivileged Communities [Panel Discussion]. College of Staten Island, NY, United States.
  • Sabuncu, B. (2018, March). Student Fee and Rights of Student Body [Panel Presentation]. Town Hall on Student Activity Fee Allocation, Brooklyn College, NY, United States.
  • Sabuncu, B. (2017, May 27) Modern Heroism in the Face of Archaic Adversity: The Life and Works of Abdelrahman Munif” [Conference Presentation] Undergraduate Conference on Research, Scholarship, and Performance, College of Staten Island, NY, United States.
  • Sabuncu, B. (2017, April 13) Multi-prism Approach to Sexual Identity [Conference Presentation]. Social Justice Seder, College of Staten Island, NY, United States.

Publications

  • Ai., A. & Sabuncu, B. C. (in press). 2022. Posttraumatic growth in patients with cardiovascular disease. In R. Berger, Ed. The Routledge international handbook on posttraumatic growth (pp.TBD). Routledge.
  • Ai, A., & Sabuncu, C. (2022). Gender and age effects on PTG explained by psychological factors in cardiac patients. Innovation in Aging, 6 (Suppl 1), 850. https://doi.org/10.1093/geroni/igac059.3046
  • Radey, M., Wilke, D. J., Stanley, L. H. K., & Sabuncu, B. C. (2023). Independent and combined effects of workplace harassment among child welfare workers. Journal of Aggression, Maltreatment & Trauma. Advance online publication. https://doi.org/10.1080/10926771.2022.2164536
  • Sabuncu, C., & Ai, A. (2022). Age differences in depression and anxiety levels of open heart surgery patients. Innovation in Aging, 6 (Suppl 1), 851–852. https://doi.org/10.1093/geroni/igac059.3050
  • Sabuncu, B.C.; Li, W.; Ai, A.L. (2023). Better to Not Be Alone: Relationships between Hurricane Related Trauma, Spiritual Support, and Social Support. OBM Integrative and Complementary Medicine; 8(2): 017; doi:10.21926/obm.icm.2302017.
  • Sabuncu, B. C. (2023). Book Review: Research Methods in Social Work. Research on Social Work Practice, 33(3), 350–351. https://doi.org/10.1177/10497315221131927
  • Sabuncu, B.C. (in review). Review: Is imagery rehearsal therapy an effective treatment for post-traumatic nightmares? Traumatology.
  • Staff Writer, Banner (2016-2018)

Professional Memberships

  • American Psychological Association
  • Gerontological Society of America
Beren Crim SabuncuDoctoral Student