I had the opportunity to see how lively a research environment can be and experienced first-hand what it feels like to work toward a positive goal surrounded by a team of dedicated and talented professionals. I cannot think of a better place than CIRP to have spent my summer.

Research Experiences for Undergraduates (REU) Student (Summer 2019)

"This past summer yielded so many wonderful opportunities for me as I was able to participate in the Research Experiences for Undergraduates (REU) program with the Center for Injury Research and Prevention (CIRP).Through the program, I had the pleasure of working under the mentorship of Dr. Stephen Leff and Dr. Tracy Waasdorp to explore the topic of bullying as it relates to autistic children. To do so, I conducted a literature review, participated in interviewing developmental behavioral pediatricians, met with several autism treatment experts, and worked with my team to develop a 33-item questionnaire from which we collected and analyzed data.

During my summer at CIRP, I acquired a multitude of new skills including data analysis, interviewing, and Research Electronic Data Capture (REDCap) survey creation. I also learned life skills applicable outside of the office as well, including networking, time management, and collaborative skills. Most importantly, however, I had the opportunity to see how lively a research environment can be, and experienced first-hand what it feels like to work toward a positive goal surrounded by a team of dedicated and talented professionals.

As I enter my junior year at the College of New Jersey, I will carry with me the skills that I have acquired over my REU summer. This experience has been invaluable for me as I am pursuing a BA in Psychology and plan to establish a career in psychological research. I cannot think of a better place than CIRP to have spent my summer, and I hope to return sometime in the near future."