Here is the profile of Emma Coughlan, the recipient of the Lise-Fillion scholarship 2024, currently pursuing a doctoral degree psychology under the guidance of Professor Josée Savard. Our scholarship program is made possible through the support of the Centre de recherche sur le cancer de l’Université Laval and the Fonds de recherche en cancérologie from Université Laval.
Emma Coughlan is currently pursuing a PhD in Psychology at Université Laval. As part of her program, she will conduct a dissertation on the effectiveness of a cognitive-behavioral intervention for fear of cancer recurrence among women carrying a BRCA1/2 genetic mutation. This population faces unique challenges specifically linked to their genetic vulnerability, including the fear of leaving their children without a mother or passing the gene on to them. Emma’s research aims to adapt a validated cognitive-behavioral therapy used in general oncology to better meet the specific needs of women with a BRCA1/2 genetic mutation.
Emma completed her Bachelor’s degree in Psychology at Dalhousie University. She has always known she wanted to become a psychologist to help people overcome moments of distress or simply navigate life in the best possible way. Her primary interest in psychology lies in health psychology. During her studies, she developed a strong interest in interventions designed to help patients adjust to their medical conditions, particularly those with cancer. Emma plans to become a clinical psychologist while maintaining an active role in research. In parallel with her clinical career, she wishes to contribute to the development of new tools to support individuals facing psychological challenges and to better identify the factors that influence the experiences of patients and their caregivers in oncology.