Research Experiences for Undergraduates Student (Summer 2022)

As a participant in the 2022 REU program at CIRP, I had the opportunity to learn about research and gain experience working on two projects within the Epidemiology team. I worked on planning for the New Jersey Safety and Health Outcomes (NJ-SHO) Resource Center with Lauren O’Malley, Christine Norris, Allison Curry, and Kristi Metzger. I also worked on the Cellular Car Seat (CCS) project with Morgan O'Donald.

I worked with the NJ-SHO team to create content for the CIRP website, design the overall feel of the website, and  create a dissemination plan for the Resource Center. I provided input to the team on a variety of topics including research summaries, social media content, traffic safety stakeholders, and mission and vision statements. Through this work, I worked with outreach team members, project managers, and epidemiologists.

On the CCS team, I went through the screening and consent process with potential study participants. I also led study visits in which participants tested out a new app and used sensor technology to prevent car seat installation misuse. I thoroughly enjoyed running these visits and hearing feedback from participants.

My time in the REU program was extremely impactful and taught me about many future opportunities. In addition to working on my projects, I had the chance to attend many seminars and learn about other projects at CIRP. I was also able to network with CHOP employees about their roles and career paths.

As I enter my junior year at George Washington University and start coursework toward my Master’s in Public Health, I am confident that this summer has prepared me for my future. I am grateful that I was able to join an amazing team, and I am extremely excited to continue working part-time with them remotely after August of 2022 when my participation in the REU program ends.