Meet Christina Costa

Today we’d like to introduce you to Christina Costa

Hi Christina, can you start by introducing yourself? We’d love to learn more about how you got to where you are today?
I grew up traveling. Australia, Germany, US, Brazil. I went back to the US for my undergrad career and fell in love with psychology the first class I took. I majored in biopsychology, cognition, and neuroscience and loved every minute of every class (mostly). I was fascinated by people and by the brain. I think my cross-cultural upbringing had a lot to do with that. Then, I went into teaching. I taught middle school science (think: rock cycle) in Detroit, MI. I was drawn back to grad school to study teaching well-being after having had first hand experience with (arguably) the toughest job in the world. I got my masters and PhD at UofM in psychology with a focus on the study of resilience. I read about resilience for about 4 years, dreamed of starting a family with my husband, getting a job as a full time professor in psychology, and then was rushed to the emergency room for a brain tumor after getting an MRI for migraine in the 4th year of my PhD program. I wanted to read about resilience I didn’t want to practice it! I went through treatment in my final two years of my program – surgery, radiation, chemo, fertility preservation, but for now I want to skip to today. Today, I have my dream job. I am a professor at Wayne State University in the Psychology Department. I have been stable for four years. I am traveling to Brazil this year to visit family with my wonderful husband and my miracle of 10-month-old.

Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
hahaha…see previous question. It was smooth for a long time. The irony is not lost on me. I am grateful to be here and be raising awareness for brain tumors, teaching my wonderful students, and holding my son.

Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know about your work?
I am a psychology professor of teaching! I love teaching it is my number one passion. I teach statistics, learning and memory, and intro psych at the moment. I am known for some quirks. My students would tell you I am cringey. I try my best to incorporate hippos into every one of my lessons and I have a character called Dr. Lynda McKinley-Fritz that sometimes visit for psychology-related jokes.

We’d love to hear about any fond memories you have from when you were growing up?
All of my favorite childhood memories involve traveling with my siblings. We have collected memories and stories from all around the world. One time in Peru, the hotel did the courtesy of placing a chocolate on all of our pillows (we always shared a hotel “kids” room). Mysteriously, one of the chocolates went missing and to this day no one will admit who took it. It wasn’t me, I promise.

Contact Info:

• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/dr.christinacosta