Research Assistant Position: Mindfulness Meditation and Mental Health
Dr. Matthew Sacchet, Ph.D., and Prof. Diego Pizzagalli, Ph.D., Laboratory for Affective and Translation Research (LATN), Center for Depression, Anxiety and Street Research (CDASR), McLean Hospital and Harvard Medical School
Fall 2019


Mindfulness meditation is a contemplative practice that targets the development of present-centered awareness and acceptance of psychological phenomena. Mindfulness is widespread in clinical psychology, the workplace, and general wellness and is associated with myriad health-related benefits. Mindfulness meditation-based therapies have been shown to be helpful for reducing depression and anxiety, in both community and psychiatric samples. To date little is understood regarding the psychological and biological mechanisms of action of mindfulness meditation for depression and anxiety. Understanding the mechanisms of action of mindfulness promises to provide a foundation for improved treatments. The objective of the current study is to advance our understanding of mindfulness meditation for depression and anxiety by investigating cognitive, affective, behavioral, neural, and psychoneuroimmunological (including epigenetic) effects of mindfulness practice. The project includes acquisition of magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and electroencephalography (EEG) data from depressed and anxious patients before and after they have completed a mindfulness-based intervention or one of several control interventions. The project promises to provide new insights into the psychological and biological mechanisms of action of mindfulness meditation for depression and anxiety that will contribute to improved mindfulness-based treatments and thus better outcomes and reduced suffering for individuals with mental illness. Responsibilities: Interested students may become involved in this study in a number of ways across all phases of the research study, including but not limited to supporting aspects of protocol development, participant recruitment, and data acquisition (e.g., collecting EEG, blood samples, questionnaires, interviews from study participants, behavioral and cognitive tests). Depending on the interests, goals, and skills of prospective students and the duration of involvement it may be possible for students to take on additional opportunities including data analysis, software programming, paper writing, and increasingly self-directed projects. Such projects may be based on the current study dataset or datasets previously collected. If of interest to the participating student, the faculty project leader is prepared to provide mentorship toward application to graduate programs, including in research and/or clinical fields. Requirements: Candidates must be highly motivated and reliable. Students will receive in-depth training in all necessary skills to contribute to the research project. Our research focuses on humans with clinical mental health concerns, so experience working with human subjects in a research or therapeutic setting is preferred while not required. Experience conducting laboratory research in any discipline is also preferred while not required. Time commitment: Volunteers are expected to contribute 10 to 15 hours per week for at least two semesters. Students will receive considerable training, so preference will be made for applicants who can contribute for two or more semesters. Traveling to and from McLean Hospital may take an additional 35 minutes via public transportation, so students should consider whether this can fit in their schedule before they apply. Additional Information: Laboratory website: cdasr.mclean.harvard.edu. Principal investigator (PI): Matthew Sacchet, Ph.D., Instructor in Psychiatry, Harvard Medical School, is the supervising faculty member. McLean Hospital biography: https://www.mcleanhospital.org/biography/matthew-sacchet. Senior supervising faculty member: Diego Pizzagalli, Ph.D., Professor of Psychiatry, Harvard Medical School, is the senior supervising faculty member. Dr. Pizzagalli is a Board of Honors Tutor member in the Psychology Department at FAS. Research location: Laboratory for Affective and Translation Research (LATN) in the Center for Depression, Anxiety and Stress Research (CDASR; directed by Dr. Pizzagalli) at McLean Hospital. McLean Hospital is the primary psychiatric teaching hospital of Harvard Medical School and is recognized as the #1 Best Psychiatric Hospital in the country by U.S. News and World Report. Learning Outcomes: Students will gain experience with laboratory and research skills including within the domains of study design, data analysis, presentation, and scientific writing. Specific learning outcomes will vary depending on what role the student contributes, which will be dictated by the student’s interests and talents. Mentoring: Mentoring is an important part of the lab’s mission. Students will work directly and continuously with Dr. Sacchet, under the senior guidance of Dr. Pizzagalli. Students will be encouraged to attend general lab meetings as well. Student Stipend: Our laboratory cannot provide any payment. Students may apply to a variety of Harvard resources for supplemental financial support (e.g., Harvard fellowships: https://lifesciences.fas.harvard.edu/research-opportunities). Course Credit: Students may apply for course credit (e.g., MBB 90r, PSY 910r, Neuorbio 98r). To Apply: Please visit the “Current Openings” page on the lab’s web site at https://cdasr.mclean.harvard.edu/about/current-openings-2/ to download the LATN Student Visitor Application form, and then send the completed form along with a copy of your CV to David Crowley at djcrowley@mclean.harvard.edu. (posted 8/2019)