Dr. Brandy Tiernan

Dr. Brandy Tiernan is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Psychology at the Western Carolina University. She was destined to be a scientist from a young age, where playtime involved designing and conducting her own little botany experiments and where she eagerly took on the role of research subject for her older sister who was studying psychology. Fast-forward to her post-college years, Brandy’s career ultimately came full circle; a few years after graduation, she shifted her focus from practicing law back to psychology and took on a position as a clinical research coordinator before applying to graduate school. In her discussion with Nancy, she talks more about her journey from childhood to present-day, how she gained expertise in using EEG studying the neural signatures of aging, and how her research focus has evolved over the years as the director of her own research program. Brandy also highlights the overarching challenge of navigating predominantly white academic spaces as a Black woman in science, demonstrating tremendous grit and resilience.