Meet Dr. Arturia Melson-Silimon

I was born and raised in Georgia. I received my Bachelors, Master’s, and Ph.D. from the University of Georgia (Go Dawgs). I have recently joined the faculty in the Industrial-Organizational (I/O) Area. I’m excited to join the Psychology Department and VT community!

I was initially recruited through VT’s Future Faculty Diversity Program (FFDP). FFDP centers around recruiting diverse talent to the university. Upon my visit, I was blown away by the collaborative nature of the Psychology Department and overall resources provided by the College of Science to support junior faculty.

I am the director of the Advancing Identity Management Lab or AIM Lab. My research centers around how individuals belonging to marginalized identity groups navigate stigma at work, and how having to navigate one’s stigmatized identity affects overall health, wellbeing, and job attitudes. We currently have ongoing projects related to intersectional identity management, workplace code-switching of people of color, and experienced stereotypes of Black women in leadership.

As a Black woman in academia, I became interested in others’ experiences like mine, as well as how research in this area can encourage better workplace culture and practices.

Having to constantly alter how one presents themselves, especially as it relates to identity, is exhausting--both cognitively and emotionally. Therefore, there are benefits to encouraging authenticity and inclusion within your workspaces.

My favorite parts of my job are brainstorming new research ideas, collaborating with other faculty and students, and mentoring RAs in the lab.

To not compare yourselves to others. It may look like others are way ahead, but you never know the full picture. Focus on what you can control and celebrate the little wins.

I became interested in science during undergrad. During the time, one of my professors asked if I’d be interested in being a RA in his lab. I became immersed in the research process and decided pretty quickly that I wanted to pursue this as a career!

One of my favorite hobbies is reading. I enjoy finding recs on “Booktok” and “Bookstagram”. Some of my favorite genres to read are romance, literary fiction, and fantasy. I also enjoy thrifting and playing Animal Crossing when I have the time.

I really want to travel to New York City and the United Kingdom--both for their literary scene. Hopefully, I can go soon!

I recently married my partner in April of 2024.