What years did you participate in UROP?

Fall 2017-Spring 2018

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

Traditional UROP as a Sophomore

What made you choose UROP?

My friend was involved with it freshman year and she enjoyed her experience. I also heard that through UROP you could use your work-study grant to get paid to do research, along with receiving a credit, which I felt like was an amazing opportunity as a work-study student.

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

I learned about research across disciplines, how to create and present a poster, and the research careers that were available to me after graduation. I also learned a lot about the unique research project I was on, which explored the impact of intergenerational and institutional trauma in First Nations peoples under the direction of Dr. Joseph Gone and Dr. Rachel Burrage.

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

I haven't kept in very good contact with Dr. Burrage, but she recommended me to her advisor Dr. Sandra Graham-Bermann, and I worked with Sandy until I graduated. We talk very regularly!

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

I have stuck with the research trajectory, eventually receiving an Intramural Research Training Award at the National Institute of Mental Health. I plan to do research in some capacity for the rest of my life and I did not realize how big of a passion this was of mine until I joined UROP.

Where are you in your professional journey?

I am a Post-Baccalaureate Research Trainee at the National Institute of Mental Health. Here, I work with Dr. Ellen Leibenluft and Dr. Melissa Brotman to study the brain mechanisms of severe irritability in youth along with leveraging technologies to develop novel treatment approaches. After the conclusion of this training position, I'll hopefully start a PhD in Clinical Psychology.

What advice would you give to a current UROP student?

Seek out mentors and ask questions! Ask your advisors what their career path was and see if they have any advice. Every person you meet with will have a new perspective! Also, a career in research may seem daunting but it is possible. It can be easy to be overwhelmed by the prospect but instead of focusing on the end result, focus on the small steps that you can take to get there (taking certain classes, applying to a different lab, etc). And never, ever be afraid to change your mind. College (and even life afterwards) is a fantastic opportunity to try new things, to ask yourself some hard questions, and to start different endeavors. Figure out your passions and pursue them, but be okay with discovering new passions along the way!

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

I submitted my first publication for review a few weeks ago (fingers crossed)!!