My research experience is one of the most exciting endeavors that I have encountered throughout my college career. My first exposure to psychological research did not involve an experiment or data collection; it only involved data analysis. We analyzed a longitudinal Adolescent to Adult Health data set and tried to find correlations between variables using information that had already been collected. The next research team that I was a part of did involve data collection. Students participated in various tests that gave us information on how much victimization they received as children and how it affected them in the present day. I met students at the testing area, administered the tests through Qualtrics, and then did the data analysis on the SPSS statistical program. I also conducted small research studies as class projects in my upper level psychology courses.
After being involved in clinical research, I wanted to be exposed to animal research in order to see the other side and solidify my goal to work with humans. That’s when I contacted Dr. Dayna Hayes and asked if there was any way that I could assist her. The research that I have done and the lessons that I have learned from Dr. Hayes are my most influential involvements. I have now seen an experiment from start to finish. When I first joined her team, I was working with just the animal tissue. We learned different cell staining techniques and how to quantify cells. Next, I practiced the breeding side of animal research. Lastly, I got to partake in an ethanol and nicotine binge followed by a behavioral task, Morris Water Maze, measuring spatial memory. Being a part of Dr. Hayes’ team made me realize that I had a strong passion for the brain, but it did not change the fact that I wanted to work with humans. This is one of the things that led me to want to pursue neuropsychology.
After being involved in clinical research, I wanted to be exposed to animal research in order to see the other side and solidify my goal to work with humans. That’s when I contacted Dr. Dayna Hayes and asked if there was any way that I could assist her. The research that I have done and the lessons that I have learned from Dr. Hayes are my most influential involvements. I have now seen an experiment from start to finish. When I first joined her team, I was working with just the animal tissue. We learned different cell staining techniques and how to quantify cells. Next, I practiced the breeding side of animal research. Lastly, I got to partake in an ethanol and nicotine binge followed by a behavioral task, Morris Water Maze, measuring spatial memory. Being a part of Dr. Hayes’ team made me realize that I had a strong passion for the brain, but it did not change the fact that I wanted to work with humans. This is one of the things that led me to want to pursue neuropsychology.