Mirinda Morency

Mirinda M Morency, a NIMH Predoctoral Fellow, is a PhD candidate in the joint Developmental Psychopathology and Clinical Science program at the University of Minnesota, Institute of Child Development. Her program of research focuses on identifying protective factors across the social ecology, including school quality, peer mentoring, and parental involvement, that empower Black youth to thrive despite navigating chronic environmental stressors, such as community violence, poverty, and discrimination, rooted in structural racism. While recognizing the importance of resilience, her work also critically examines the potential long-term mental and physical health costs associated with achieving resilience (i.e., skin-deep resilience). To meet these research objectives, she integrates mixed-methods research and multiple levels of analysis. She primarily works with Megan Gunnar and collaborates with Arthur Reynolds and Gail Ferguson. 

Originally from the south suburbs of Chicago, Mirinda has a rich history of community-based participatory research in Chicago, exploring innovative violence prevention strategies. She directed a cross-age peer mentoring program aimed at mitigating adverse outcomes associated with violence exposure while fostering positive youth development. Building on this work, Mirinda partnered with Minnesota’s Hennepin County Safe Communities Department, conducting a qualitative research study to systematically understand the current landscape of violence prevention initiatives within the County. This study aimed to identify opportunities for enhanced understanding and collaboration among service areas to foster safe, healthy, and equitable communities, reimagining public safety. 

Mirinda aims to further unpack the cultural nuances surrounding early childhood program effectiveness, investigating for whom and under what conditions these programs yield maximum impact and reduce or eliminate risk. She strives to translate her research into culturally-sensitive, developmentally appropriate preventive interventions for youth and families, ultimately contributing to equitable health and psychological well-being.

Developmental psychopathology and clinical science community/clinical work

Mirinda holds a Master’s in Social Work from Columbia University New York, where she provided trauma-informed clinical services to youth and adults for a few years before relocating to Minnesota. She is skilled in applying advanced modalities including Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) and Internal Family Systems (IFS) therapy to help clients build emotional resilience and navigate their recovery journey. Her clinical psychology training includes a neuropsychological assessment rotation at the University of Minnesota’s Pediatric Psychology Program, as well as an ongoing intervention rotation at the University of Minnesota’s Department of Psychiatry & Behavioral Sciences.