Getting into research is hard enough but for social science students there is an added level of effort: combating the myths and misconceptions of doing social science research. Here are some common myths and the real truth behind them: Continue reading
Meet Ian Sands ’20, an OUR Peer Research Ambassador (PRA) majoring in Biomedical Engineering.
What is the focus of your research?
Using nanoparticles as vehicles for drug delivery into biological tissue that is normally difficult to penetrate. I work with chondrocytes, neurons, astrocytes, and microglial cells with the hopes of delivering nucleic acids at a high penetration efficiency.
Why did you get involved in research?
I began research in order to become more involved with the particular interests I had within biomedical engineering. As an undergraduate studying within a broad major with many avenues of specialty, I was able to take time to settle on a topic that truly interested me which just so happened to be tissue engineering via nanoparticle drug therapy.
What advice would you give to incoming freshmen?
My advice to freshman would be to remain unbiased towards opportunities that come their way. Speaking academically, keep an open mind to subjects and research opportunities that may arise because you never know the types of collaborations and perspectives you can gain through the various fields of study.
Describe the impact your research experience has had on you.
Research as an undergraduate has helped me stay focused and consistent, especially as a senior that is nearing the end of my four years at UConn. Any worry that I had about losing motivation as time goes on has disappeared completely and I am continuously motivated by the results, both retrospective and prospective, that I produce on a week-to-week basis.
What are your plans after graduation? How has involvement in research influenced your plans and/or prepared you for the future?
My post-graduate plans involve pursuing my Ph.D in biomedical engineering with a specific focus in nanomedicine and/or drug therapy. There is increasing demand in the research community with respects to nanomedicine in cancer treatment and tissue regeneration applications and I would like to take my skill set and perspective into a lab that focuses on some of these topics. My experience as an undergraduate researcher will be invaluable especially due to the many publications and presentations that I will have authorship on. There are also multiple opportunities for me to present at both Frontiers conferences and even a few international ones which will further assist me in my outreach and connections process.
From my experience with research, the more you do, the more you feel you need to do, which makes it important to plan ahead and balance your time between coursework and research so that your academics don’t suffer.
When I first joined a research lab, I was so excited to start working on my own projects. I spent almost all the time I had in the lab. Although I made a lot of progress on my project, I did not work hard enough on my courses. Continue reading
Meet Abigail LaFontan ’20, an OUR Peer Research Ambassador (PRA) majoring in Political Science and minoring in French.
What is the focus of your research?
The overall focus of my research is food policy and the environment. I want to move on to do environmental law and public health so I have tailored my research projects to be related to these areas.
Why did you get involved in research/creative activity?
I got involved in research because it allowed me to pursue my interests independent of any classroom setting or grading system. Research has always appealed to me because I like to have a broad base of knowledge and I like to pursue my interests as I see them, not by following a course curriculum. So, I use my major courses and requirements as my way to learn about political science and french, and then I use my research to learn about the intersection between these areas and my other passions, and their overall applicability to reality. Research, in the end, brings you deeper into reality.
What advice would you give to incoming freshmen?
Don’t be afraid to reach out. Research was the best thing I got involved with here at UConn and it all started because I got an email from a political science professor the July before I began my freshman year about an offer to apply for a political science research assistant position. I look back on that opportunity and consider myself lucky for how the research came to me and I consider how much differently my undergraduate career may have gone had I not applied or had I never received that email.
Even if an opportunity doesn’t present itself automatically, realize that there are so many ways you can pursue all of your interests. Don’t let yourself become too focused on one path and miss the chances all around you to expand your perspective and do some learning to advance your passions. Research can truly help you find the connection in this world between all of your interests.
What do you enjoy most about participating in research?
I most enjoy the community that comes with conducting research at UConn. Whether you are working with a professor, a mentor, your friends, or a research advisor from the Office of Undergraduate Research, you are surrounded by people who are interested in what they are doing and truly want to be there. It is a unique community in which you can truly get to know someone through their interests as presented through their research endeavors.
What are your plans after graduation? How has involvement in research influenced your plans and/or prepared you for the future?
After graduation I plan to go to law school and pursue the intersection between public health and environmental law with my main focus staying on food policy. My involvement in research has helped me define my personal interests and goals by giving me the opportunity to go outside of my classes and learn through doing. Through my different projects, I have been able to refine my passions so I better understand how I can accomplish my personal goals and how I can apply my interests to my future career.
Trying to get involved in research as an undergraduate student is daunting. It is uncomfortable to enter, or in this case attempt to enter, academia as it is unlike anything you have encountered before. Fortunately, we have the tools to help you with this learning curve to make it as easy as possible. The other source of anxiety most students face is the fear of rejection. No matter how perfectly you construct your first email, or how much you research for your first conversation, there is always the lingering thoughts of, “What if they say ‘No.’” And even worse, “What does that say about me?” The short answer is that it will be okay if you are told no, and that says nothing about you. Continue reading
Meet Maria Latta ’20 (Pharm. D. Candidate 2022), an OUR Peer Research Ambassador (PRA) majoring in Pharmacy Studies and minoring in Sociology and Molecular & Cell Biology.
Currently, I am researching the impact of a project management team on sustainability in public health programs that utilize pharmacist services. Previously, I have researched social influences on Traditional Chinese Medicine use, nanoparticles for chemotherapy drug delivery, and the role of mitochondrial proteins in Alzheimer’s Disease.
I got involved in research because I wanted to utilize novel techniques to make an impact and further progress in healthcare and pharmacy for minority groups.
First year students should be open to exploring different types, styles, and approaches in research. This helps to expand your understanding of what research can look like and the impact you can have in your field!
My favorite part of doing research is that I can use problem solving to enact change and progress in my field. This is anything from supporting and developing healthier communities to highlighting the unique needs in minority groups.
Research has helped me explore my interest in sociology and social research within pharmacy as well as gaining confidence in my creative capacity and problem-solving abilities.
Research has helped to connect me with a community of social researchers in pharmacy that continues encourages me to pursue a graduate degree in medical sociology. My goal is to combine research and clinical practice into public health policy and program implementation.
Reaching out to faculty you’re interested in working with can be intimidating. But it doesn’t have to be. The tips below helped me get started and take the first steps in building connections and finding a research opportunity. Continue reading
Meet Ariane Garrett ’20 (ENG), an OUR Peer Research Ambassador (PRA) majoring in Biomedical Engineering and minoring in Spanish.
My research focusses on the development of a flow sensor for use in cerebral spinal fluid (CSF) shunts. This is important because CSF shunts are prone to breakage, however it is difficult to assess if the shunt is working in vivo. This flow sensing device enables the measurement of flow sensing in vivo, and has the potential to greatly improve patient quality of life.
I knew I wanted to be involved in research as soon as I got to college, because I wanted to be a part of knowledge generation and work on exciting projects!
Don’t be afraid to reach out to professors and get involved!
My favorite part of research is the design process. It is very rewarding to start with a concept, then design it, and finally hold the piece in your hand.
I plan to apply to graduate school after graduation. Research has greatly influenced this decision- I enjoy it so much I want to continue for the next 4 to 7 years!
You might think a pre-pharmacy student would want to be working in a lab on drug discovery and most of time you would be right! But with me, things were different.
I have a passion for sociology that I discovered when I was fulfilling my gen-ed requirements my first semester. And after taking a Methods in Social Research course, I knew that the best way to for me to continue pursuing sociology and pharmacy was through research.
So, you want to get into research, but you probably don’t know where to start? Here are a few tips to give you an idea of what you’re in for! Continue reading