What years did you participate in UROP?

2016-2017

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

Traditional UROP as a Freshman

What made you choose UROP?

M-STEM and a desire to learn about the research process. For your education you read countless studies, but I wanted to learn and be a part of contemporary studies that will influence the youth of the future.

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

I learned the invaluable skill of how to navigate the research realm as an undergraduate and how to make your opinion heard. Additionally, I learned proper writing and presentation techniques which gave me much more independence as an undergraduate researcher.

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

I email with my mentors monthly and two of my mentors from research projects are writing me letters of recommendation for law school.

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

UROP guided me through the process of becoming an undergraduate researcher and I have no doubt that I would not have enjoyed research as much as I did without the guidance of UROP. I worked on my UROP research project for two years and continued to conduct research throughout my entire undergraduate career.

Research is the most efficient way to immerse yourself in an area of study and to truly learn what professionals in that field achieve. I started my research in Biology, transitioned to psychology, then business, and finally law. Research allowed me to explore each of these areas and make informed decisions on whether to pursue a career in each field.

In addition, if you have no interest in the area you are researching, you can still learn from the experience and broaden your own perspective and enhance your resume. Research experience is applicable across many sectors and can be a great talking point during interviews.

Where are you in your professional journey?

I am working as a Corporate Negotiations Paralegal for Qualtrics Data Analytics company as a gap year before law school. This position was offered to me primarily because of my legal research background and my experience presenting at research conferences.

In addition, I work part-time as a legal research assistant with a law professor at Umich Law.

What advice would you give to a current UROP student?

Pay attention in the UROP seminars and learn from both the seminars and the lab/work experience. Not many undergraduates will get the opportunity to be involved in research and you are already above average for being invited to this program, but now it's on you to make the most of your experience and to not screw it up! Good luck!

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

Chang, E. C., Chang, O. D., Lucas, A. G., Li, M., Beavan, C. B., Eisner, R. S., McManamon, B.
M., Rodriguez, N. S., Katamanin, O. M., de la Fuente, A., Cardeñoso, O., Wu, K., Yu, E. A., Jeglic, E. L., & Hirsch, J. K. (2018). Dysphoria, social isolation, and suicide risk in Latino college students: A test of a psychosocial interaction model. Manuscript submitted for publication. (Social Work).

I have also drafted and submitted Expert Testimony statements, Memorandums, and Expert Witness Testimony as a member of the Government relations team within the American Psychological Association.