What years did you participate in UROP?

2017-2019

What UROP Program(s) were you a part of?

Traditional UROP as a Sophomore in the social sciences discipline, and Research Scholars

What made you choose UROP?

I was very interested in taking advantage of the research opportunities given to undergrads at UM since many of my peers at other institutions were not granted the ability to conduct research at this level.

What do you think you have learned from your UROP experience?

I gained invaluable experience conducting lit reviews, understanding methods of qualitative research, much of which I later employed when researching and writing my Masters thesis.

What is the extent to which you have kept in contact with your Research Mentor?

My UROP research mentor was vital for supporting my grad school applications and job/fellowship applications. It's a relationship that I really value especially since we worked so closely during the 2 years when I was apart of the project, and it's nice to know now that if I need advice or guidance professionally, or a reference or letter of recommendation that I can always count on my mentor.

How did your UROP experience shape or inform the next steps you took in your academic and professional journey?

Sophomore year of college I was all in on law. I wanted to be a lawyer I was taking diagnostic LSATs I went to events at the law school, and ultimately was placed on a project with the program in refugee and asylum law at UM Law through UROP. The project itself inspired me to co-found an ed-policy startup through OptiMize at UM that works to enhance educational and vocational access for resettled refugees. I realized very quickly that law was not my passion, and that while I enjoyed research in law, I did not want to be a lawyer. Because of this understanding, I continued on to do research and get a masters in Diplomacy. Then, missing the pace of start-up culture, I used that degree and what I've learned as well as research skills I gained from UROP to get a job working with PUBLIC where I am now, in London.

Where are you in your professional journey?

Programmes Associate at a gov-tech start-up in London called PUBLIC.

What advice would you give to a current UROP student?

Speak up! If you don't love your project, talk to your mentor about how you can better improve your experience, if you want to do something slightly differently that you think will be better, suggest it! This is your time and you have such a unique opportunity to shape the research you're doing and your own experience. Use the resources and people and connections that are at your finger tips!

What are some recent publications or accomplishments that you are proud of?

My graduate thesis "UN Peacebuilding Initiatives in the Democratic Republic of the Congo 2010- Present: Implications for Sustainable Peace" was accepted and approved by Oxford!