Beck Scheinberg is a doctoral student in the Child Clinical Psychology graduate program at Penn State. His research focuses on understanding the psychological experiences and support needs of marginalized individuals and communities, specifically the trans community. Beck’s primary mentor is Martha E. Wadsworth, Ph.D.
Beck attended Duke University and graduated in 2021 with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Mathematics and a minor in Psychology. He discovered his interest in community intervention during his undergraduate years when he worked as a crisis hotline responder. After graduation, Beck gained research experience as a psychology research assistant at Stony Brook University and at the National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH) on a Postbaccalaureate Intramural Research Training Award. Beck applied to Penn State after learning about Dr. Wadsworth’s research and her focus on community intervention. Beck’s work with the Coping and Regulation of Environmental Stressors (CaRES) Lab has enabled him to gain knowledge into study design, participant recruitment, and data collection for community interventions. He has also been able to continue community outreach by running psychoeducation workshops at Schlow Centre Region Library. In spring 2025, Beck defended his master’s thesis which sought to predict response to community intervention with the goal of improving intervention access and outcomes for low-income couples with a child. In addition to his work with Dr. Wadsworth, Beck is collaborating with Jess Matsick, Ph.D, an expert in LGBTQIA+ research and mixed methodology, as he embarks on his own program of research. Beck has six first-authored presentations and posters; was a Three-Minute Talks Competition Finalist at NIMH; won a 2nd place poster award during the 23rd Annual NIMH Intramural Research Program Fellows’ Scientific Training Day; and received a Distinguished Leadership and Service Award for Commitment to Diversity at Duke University.
As a recipient of the Irene E. Harms Award, Beck will be able to embark on the first of three projects investigating the nuances of trans adolescent risk-taking, which will lead to and support his dissertation work. His work will begin with a needs assessment for trans youth living in State College. Funds from this award will allow Beck the time necessary to devote to his projects as well as provide support for data collection. Receiving the Irene E. Harms Award will provide Beck the opportunity to be well-positioned for his goal of a research-intensive, academic career conducting strength-based, community participatory research that informs effective interventions for marginalized youth.