How/Why Research? I got involved with research because I wanted to experience a learning opportunity outside of a traditional classroom setting. I came into UNC Pre-Med, but really undecided, so it took my first-year to really figure out what I was passionate about. After several classes and chats with professors, I found my interests and began exploring them through research. I applied to do work-study at the Cohen Lab right before my second-year and not long after also applied to volunteer at the CIRCLE Lab. I found these opportunities through the JobX portal and by taking time to make a list of labs I was interested in from the department website. Most labs have their own website, which is where I found most applications, interest forms, and contact info.
Research Experience: I do work-study in the Cohen Lab, working there around 8 hours a week which includes training, completing tasks, lab meetings, and attending speaker series. My tasks in the Cohen Lab include things like data entry, MRI quality control, sorting/creating participant folders, and helping with recruitment. In the CIRCLE Lab, I volunteer through the WHALE study and mainly focus on helping run participants(4-7 year old kids) through the different tasks of the study and doing all sorts of data entry. Both of these experiences have given me not only tons of experience but also lots of valuable connections where I’ve learned of different paths after graduation. This summer I will also be doing my own independent research through the Moore Undergraduate Research Apprenticeship Program (MURAP).
Student Organizations/Clubs: Chapel Thrill Escapes, MURAP, McNair Scholars Program, Mi Pueblo
Also Happy to Chat about: Emailing Professors, Networking, Workstudy Opportunities, Fitting Research into a Busy Schedule, Finding/Keeping Track of Opportunities, Intersectional Interests
Random Fun Fact: I love boba!!!