Dr. Seah will be reviewing applications from prospective graduate students for the Clinical Psychology PhD Program (Fall 2026 admission)!
Thank you for your interest in the Psychopathology & Emotion Processing (PEP) Lab! Our research focuses on understanding and treating psychopathology in adolescents and young adults from diverse backgrounds, with a particular emphasis on emotion processing across the translational spectrum. Our work aims to inform prevention and intervention strategies that improve mental health outcomes and disparities.
As a mentor, I strive to create a collaborative, rigorous, and supportive training environment where graduate students can develop the skills needed for successful academic careers in clinical psychology and related fields.
Graduate students in the PEP Lab have opportunities to engage in projects examining:
Developmental psychopathology across adolescence and young adulthood
Affective processes in daily life and laboratory contexts
Minority stress and health disparities among high-risk youth (e.g., LGBTQ+, racial/ethnically diverse)
Multimethod approaches (e.g., ecological momentary assessment, wearable technology, neuroimaging, psychophysiology)
Translational approaches to intervention, including adaptation and evaluation of treatments
Students are expected to contribute to all aspects of research, including lab management, study design, recruitment, data collection, advanced statistical analysis, and dissemination through conference presentations and peer-reviewed publications.
I view mentorship as a partnership tailored to each student’s professional goals. My aim is to foster independence, critical thinking, and strong methodological skills while providing guidance and support. I encourage students to pursue their own lines of inquiry that are relevant to the lab's mission, apply for funding, and collaborate within and beyond the lab. My mentoring approach is developmental in nature, with more hands-on training and supervision during your early years, followed by greater autonomy and independence as you develop and evolve as a scholar. I value and strive for a lab culture that emphasizes inclusivity, curiosity, and mutual support.
Students in the PEP Lab can expect:
Hands-on research with clinical and community samples
Exposure to multiple research methodologies
Training in longitudinal designs, multilevel modeling, and other advanced quantitative methods
Opportunities for grant writing, publishing, and national/international conference presentations
Professional development in teaching, reviewing, and networking
Strong clinical training through Miami University’s APA-accredited Clinical Psychology PhD program
Graduate students join the PEP Lab through Miami University’s Clinical Psychology PhD program. The program follows a scientist-practitioner model, providing strong training in both clinical practice and psychological science. Students are fully funded for 5 years via graduate assistantships and receive extensive research, clinical, and teaching experience.
For more information about the program, please visit the program website.
Applicants interested in the Clinical Psychology PhD program are expected to indicate their interest in working with a primary graduate mentor.
I look for applicants who:
Have prior research experience in psychology, ideally related to emotion, psychopathology, and/or developmental processes (clinical experience is also a plus but not required)
Demonstrate interest in youth mental health, affective processes, and/or health disparities
Express enthusiasm to acquire skills in multiple methodologies and actively contribute to the lab's research
Show strong (or strong potential in) writing, critical thinking, and quantitative skills
Are committed to an academic clinical research career
Willing to contribute to a collaborative and inclusive research environment
Important caveat: I recognize that certain opportunities are not equitably accessible to everyone based on their circumstances. In such cases, I encourage applicants to share what experiences they have had, and how such experiences have prepared them and/or led to their interest in pursuing research in my lab.
To ensure fairness and equity for all graduate applicants, I do not currently meet with prospective candidates prior to the admission interviews. I appreciate your patience and understanding in this matter.
Miami University is located in Oxford, a welcoming college town with a strong graduate student community. Oxford offers affordable living, a supportive campus culture, and proximity to Cincinnati and Dayton. Graduate students benefit from the collegial environment within the Department of Psychology and from opportunities for interdisciplinary collaboration with local and regional partners. More information can be found here.
The PEP Lab is committed to fostering a welcoming, inclusive environment for students of all backgrounds. Our work includes understanding health disparities and the experiences of marginalized populations, and we actively seek to create a space where diverse perspectives are valued and supported.