Research Experiences for Undergraduates (REU) Student (Summer 2021)

"This past summer I had the pleasure of being able to participate in the Research Experiences for Undergraduates (REU) program with the Center for Injury Research and Prevention (CIRP). Though this was a remote program, I still found the experience to be cultivating. Through the program, I had the opportunity of working under the mentorship of Dr. Stephen Leff, Dr. Sandhyaa Iyengar, and Dr. Tracy Waasdorp to further the research among youth and microaggressions and explore intervention modeling as it relates to bullying among high-functioning autistic children. To do so, I conducted literature reviews, generated qualitative questions, analyzed patient charts, and created patient records.

This experience taught me how to conduct qualitative research, work with intervention models, and use medical and database software. I also learned a host of other applicable skills such as, networking, collaborating, and poster presenting. Most importantly, this opportunity demonstrated what it looks like to work alongside a team of dedicated and talented professionals from different trainings and backgrounds to meet common goals.

As I enter my senior year at Stevenson University, I will apply the skills that I have learned over the summer. This experience has made me more confident in taking these next steps as I apply to graduate school. The time I spent working and meeting with CIRP team members has been a very valuable experience. It is with gratitude that I can say everyone I have met has helped steer me in the right direction."