Psychology student researchers in Dr. Kiran Soma's lab. Photo by Paul Joseph.
The Psychology Inclusive Excellence Student Fund is paving the way to a more equitable future in psychological research.
The Psychology Inclusive Excellence (PIE) Student Fund empowers undergraduate and graduate students from historically marginalized and equity-deserving communities by providing paid research positions in our labs.
Through the PIE Fund, students gain critical research experience and financial support, fostering their growth and success in psychology. This initiative funds Early Research Awards, Entrance Enhancement Awards, and PSYC 240 Tuition Awards—helping to build a more inclusive and diverse future for the field.
On April 3, UBC Giving Day, we are proudly featuring the Psychology Inclusive Excellence Student Fund—and we would love to have your support.
Discover how the PIE Fund has equipped psychology student with the tools, confidence, and opportunities they need to thrive and make an impact in the field.
Early Research Awards
The Early Research Awards support early-stage undergraduate students to fund summer or academic term research internships in a lab. These awards focus on those with limited research experience, offering a stepping stone to more competitive positions.
Zaina Alkurdi
Receiving the Early Research Award was “a true game changer” for Zaina
Zaina Alkurdi (she/her) is a third-year psychology honours student. As a Syrian refugee, Zaina witnessed marginalized communities struggle to access support. Building on her experience as a refugee, Zaina is exploring how play impacts social connectedness among refugee children. The award gave Zaina the opportunity to focus on her research, develop her skills, and cover her expenses simultaneously.
Jason Izadi
The Early Research Award helped prepare Jason for graduate school applications
Before returning to UBC to pursue his undergraduate degree, Jason Izadi (he/him) spent four years volunteering with refugee families as a case worker. Through this work, he witnessed the mental health system’s persistent challenges in becoming more inclusive of diverse and marginalized backgrounds. The award gave Jason the courage and hope needed to pursue his studies and research.
Kseniia Voronkova
The Early Research Award has shaped Kseniia Voronkova’s research journey
This funding gave Kseniia Voronkova (she/her) the flexibility to turn her academic aspirations into real-world research. She was able to focus on her research interests and gain experience for future graduate training. The award allowed Kseniia to expand her work, from engaging participants in clinical research to working with them directly as part of their visits.
Entrance Enhancement Awards
Designed to elevate the potential of incoming graduate students, the Entrance Enhancement Awards supplement the minimum funding package and help attract outstanding students. This award enhances diversity in psychology and strengthens the field’s academic excellence.
Jen Hyslop
Jen Hyslop Investigates mental health accessibility with support from the PIE Fund
Jen Hyslop (she/her) is a clinical psychology MA student who studies the social and emotional influences on mental health. As an Indigenous student, Jen believes the Entrance Enhancement Award is critical to increasing Indigenous representation in psychology. She is currently investigating the accessibility of mental health support for Indigenous students seeking help.
Marisa Nelson
Marisa Nelson is advancing health equity with support from the PIE Fund
Marisa Nelson (she/her) is a health psychology MA student exploring the social determinants of health, with a focus on gender and housing. The Entrance Enhancement Award is helping Marisa Nelson tackle disparities through her research on gender, housing, and socioeconomic impacts on health. It has relieved her financial pressures, allowing her to invest more time and energy into her research on equity-deserving groups.
PSYC 240 Tuition Awards
These awards support undergraduate students who face financial barriers to gaining their first Research Assistant position in a lab through PSYC 240. Discover the impact the PSYC 240 Tuition Awards have on our students through these Q&As:
