As a third-degree black belt in taekwondo and a Ph.D.-bound psychologist, Bella is proving to us all that there’s nothing you can’t do.

Amplifying voices and creating awareness

“I was part of the Inside-Out Prison Exchange Program and given the opportunity to be part of a student-led team that created the Inside Voices Art Show. The point of the show was to amplify the voices of those who are currently and formerly incarcerated. The show took place at the Oloman Cafe in Hamtramck on April 23, 2022, and featured the works of 11 currently incarcerated men of the Theory Group at the Macomb County Correctional Facility. 

“We expanded the event to all have over 150 pieces of other pieces of incarcerated art from around the state, nine people who participated in the live poetry readings, two musicians who played live music, and a live auction. Art was sold and the proceeds of $2923.89 were donated directly to a local charity, the Youth Justice Fund, who is hosting a summer camp this year to help formerly incarcerated individuals deal with their trauma and successfully reenter society.”

Pandemic-related research

“Since June of 2020, I have been a part of the Human Learning and Creativity (HuLC) Lab here at Dearborn with PI Dr. Arlo Clark-Foos. Because I joined the lab at the end of my freshman year during Covid, it was difficult to get started but I quickly was able to work on research that was directly related to the pandemic. In the HuLC lab, I code information received by people from all over the country detailing their memories about when they heard news about the pandemic. The timing and nature of this work has taught me many skills, including being able to adapt easily to changes, gaining new perspective and experience in a working lab, and learning how to work in unprecedented conditions that the pandemic provided.”

Goals after grad school

“A long-term career goal I have is to help integrate technology as a learning medium for neurodivergent adults. The way humans interact with technology and how it can be applied to make the lives of others better is something I hope to accomplish in the future. 

“My schooling at UM-Dearborn has prepared me by allowing me hands-on experience conducting research, like in the HuLC lab or in my Experimental Psychology course, and connecting me to many different people that have helped guide me and shared new ideas with me. My program has expanded my horizons and helped me take advantage of so many beneficial opportunities that have helped me prepare for what I want to do in life.”