Research Experiences for Undergraduates (REU) Student (Summer 2017)
"During the summer of 2017, I had the opportunity to join the Center for Injury Research and Prevention (CIRP) as a Research Experiences for Undergraduates (REU) intern. I was privileged in having the tutelage of Dr. Tracy Waasdorp and Dr. Stephen Leff, with the PRAISE Team of the Violence Prevention Initiative (VPI), under whom I was provided a balance of clinical and research insight. I had exposure to the implementation of an evidence-based bullying intervention program, assisting with its delivery and subsequent data entry. Consequential to exploring such data, I was very intrigued by the potential relationship between emotion regulation and relational aggression, along with any corresponding gender differences. Thereafter, the majority of my time was dedicated toward transforming this curiosity into my independent study. I was equipped with enough guidance and autonomy to augment my research competencies in data cleaning and coding, statistical analysis, and proposal formulation and presentation. Thanks to the support and encouragement from the PRAISE Team and those at CIRP, I will be further preparing my project for conference submission.
I am currently a rising senior at Rowan University and will be graduating with a BS in Psychology with a Women & Gender Studies concentration. My time here at CIRP as an REU student has allowed me favorable circumstances that have yielded acumen and advice from varying professional domains, intensifying my pre-existing passions for trauma-informed care, research and the continual acquisition of knowledge. It has ultimately solidified my aspirations of pursuing post-bac research opportunities before proceeding toward a PhD in Clinical Psychology. I am truly grateful for this experience and express my upmost appreciation toward everyone who has made it so worthwhile."