Undergraduate School
University of North Carolina at Greensboro
Graduate School
University of Michigan – Ann Arbor: Master of Social Work (MSW)
Howard University – Clinical Psychology (PhD)
Interests & Career Goals
My long-term career goal is to become a trauma-informed child/adolescent clinical psychologist within an academic medical center, where I can integrate clinical practice, research, and community engagement. I am particularly committed to advancing culturally responsive and accessible trauma interventions for Black youth and marginalized populations by conducting research that informs evidence-based clinical practices and policy reform.
Favorite Pastimes
I enjoy working out, exploring new restaurants and coffee shops, and revisiting my favorite spots. I love spending time with friends and family, as well as binge-watching my favorite shows and series.
Why I Chose Duke
I chose Duke because North Carolina is home, and I was especially drawn to the child trauma track. The breadth and depth of training offered at Duke align with my goal of becoming a well-rounded, trauma focused psychologist. I am excited to strengthen my clinical skills, deliver mental health services, and to engage in meaningful collaboration with the Durham community.
Research Interests
My research focuses on the psychological outcomes of childhood trauma and race-related stress, with particular interest in exploring cultural protective factors such as racial socialization in Black youth or emerging adults. I aim to develop culturally responsive mental health interventions and integrate research into clinical practice to advocate for equitable mental health care access.
Publications
- Barber, M., & Mance, G. (2025). Exploring Childhood Trauma, Race-Related Stress, Racial Socialization, and Symptoms in Black Emerging Adulthood. Graduate Student Journal of Psychology, 24. https://doi.org/10.52214/gsjp.v24i.13502
- Barber, M., Griffin, D., Neshkes, R., Kichline, T., Sigel, S., & Herbert, L. J. (2025). Caregiver food allergy self-efficacy explains the relationship between perceived food allergy severity and burden. Journal of Pediatric Psychology, jsaf002. https://doi.org/10.1093/jpepsy/jsaf002
Poster Presentations
- Lohman, N., Zhang, I., Barber, M., Andrew, L.M., & Ryee, M.Y. (2025, April). Preliminary Findings: The Efficacy, Feasibility, and Acceptability of Group Videoconference Cognitive Behavioral Therapy with Exposure and Response Prevention for Treating Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder Among Children and Young People. Poster Presented at Research, Education and Innovation Week at Children’s National Hospital.
- Barber, M. R. & Mance, G. A. (2023, August). The Effects of Racial Stress and Trauma in Black Emerging Adulthood: The Influence of Racial Socialization. Poster presented at the American Psychological Association (APA), Washington, D.C.
- Barber, M. R., Beavers, C., & Mance, G. A. (2023, June). The Effects of Childhood Socioeconomic Status in Black Emerging Adulthood. Poster presented at the Society for the Psychological Study of Social Issues (SPSSI) in Denver, Colorado.
- Toliver, M., Menheer, K., Michel – Strauder, A., Franklin, S., Ferdinand, N., Barber, M., Arnold, J., Beavers, C., & Mance, M. (2023, April). COVID-19, Missed Milestones, Social Interactions, and Mental Health for Black Emerging Adults. Poster presented at Howard University’s Research Symposium in Washington, D.C.
- Barber, M. R. & Menon, D. U. (2022, November). Identifying Disparities to Care During COVID-19 among Families with Children Who Have Developmental Disabilities. Poster accepted and presented at the Association of University Centers on Disabilities (AUCD) Conference in Washington, D.C.
- Barber, M. R. & Menon, D. U. (2021). Identifying Disparities to Care During COVID-19 among Families with Children Who Have Developmental Disabilities. Poster presented at the CDC Undergraduate Public Health Scholars (CUPS) Program and Dr. James A. Ferguson Emerging Infectious Diseases Graduate Fellowship Student Virtual Showcase and Virtual Expo: Public Health Workforce of the Future.
- Barber, M. R. & Mance, G. A. (2021, May) Racial Socialization as a Protective Factor for Black Emerging Adults Who Have Experienced Interpersonal Trauma and Race-Related Stress. Poster presented at the 2021 Association for Psychological Science (APS) Virtual Convention.
- Ferdinand, N., Beutlich, M, Johnson, K., Barber, M. R., & Mance, G. A. (2021, August). Race-related Stress & Gender Differences in Africultural Coping Practices Among Black Youth. Virtual poster presentation at the APA 2021 Virtual Conference.
- Barber, M. R., Jackson, L., Heisler, M., Lapidos, A., Guzman, R., Wolfe, J., Meyer, P., Law, D., Kieffer, E., Ernst, C., Henderson, J., Djelaj, V., Khaldun, J., Ayanian, J. (2019, October). The Cody Rouge Community Health Worker Initiative. Poster presented at the Social Work Research Symposium: A Broader View of Health at Michigan Medicine, Department of Psychiatry in Ann Arbor, MI.
- Barber, M.R., Hill, D.J., Mendez, J. L., & Swick, D.C. (2016, March). Guilford County Schools Parent Ambassador Program: Parent Engagement Across School Levels. Poster presented at the Southeastern Psychological Association Conference in Atlanta, GA.
Oral Research Presentations & Symposiums
- Barber, M. R. (2023, August) Suicide Prevention in the Military: A Literature Review. Oral presentation presented at the 2023 RAND Corporation Summer Associate Seminar, Arlington, VA.
- Barber, M. R. (2021, August) Identifying Disparities to Care During COVID-19 among Families with Children Who Have Developmental Disabilities. Oral presentation presented at the 2021 Ferguson RISE Research Symposium at Kennedy Krieger, Johns Hopkins, Baltimore, MD (virtual).
Invited Talks
- Barber, M. R. (2021, November). Trauma and Race-Related Stress in Black Emerging Adulthood: Examining Racial Socialization as a Protective Factor. Oral presentation presented at the Diversity Equity and Inclusion (DEI) Lunch and Learn at Michigan Medicine, Department of Psychiatry, Ann Arbor, MI (virtual).