Undergraduates

Undergraduate Research Assistants Needed: Systematic Review of Neuroimaging & Autism Intervention Research

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Autism Intervention Research
Lead Investigator: Deborah Schneider (deborah.schneider-richardson@uconn.edu), Department of Psychological Sciences
Project: Systematic Review of Neural and Behavioral Changes Following Interventions in Autism Spectrum Disorders
Credits: 1-2 credit hours (3-6 hours/week commitment)

Opportunity Description

Project Overview: This systematic review synthesizes neuroimaging studies to understand the neural and behavioral mechanisms underlying intervention effectiveness. This is an excellent opportunity to gain hands-on experience with systematic review methodology while contributing to research that could improve interventions for individuals with autism spectrum disorders.

What You’ll Learn
• Research methodology: Systematic review processes following PRISMA guidelines
• Data extraction and synthesis: Deep understanding of peer-reviewed neuroimaging and behavioral studies
• Critical analysis: Evaluating research quality and synthesizing data across studies
• Scientific writing: Contributing to manuscript preparation
• Collaboration: Working as part of a research team

Responsibilities
• Extract and code data from research articles that have already been screened
• Participate in weekly online team meetings
• Maintain detailed records using structured data collection forms
• Assist with data synthesis and quality assessment of included studies

Recognition Opportunities: Research assistants who demonstrate sustained commitment and make meaningful contributions will be eligible for:
• Acknowledgment in the published manuscript
• Potential co-authorship based on level of contribution
• Recommendation letters for graduate school or future research opportunities

Time Commitment
• 2-5 hours per week of research work
• 1 hour per week online team meeting
• Flexible scheduling around your academic commitments

Student Qualifications
What We’re Looking For
• Highly motivated students committed to seeing the project through completion
• Interest in autism research, neuroimaging, or intervention studies
• Strong attention to detail and organizational skills
• Ability to work independently while contributing to team goals
• Reliable attendance at weekly meetings

How to Apply
To Apply: Contact Dr. Deborah Schneider (deborah.schneider@uconn.edu) with:
• Brief statement of interest
• Current CV or resume
• Availability for weekly meetings

Mentor: Deborah Schneider, Postdoctoral Research Associate
Department: Psychological Sciences
Email: deborah.schneider@uconn.edu
Timing: Fall 2025, Spring 2026, Summer 2026, Ongoing
Campus: Storrs

Undergraduate Research Assistant in REINVENT-PT Lab

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Opportunity Description

The REINVENT-PT lab (REhabilitation INnoVations & Emerging Novel Technologies in Physical Therapy, PI: Dr. Sudha Srinivasan) at the University of Connecticut (UConn) is interested in understanding developmental trajectories of individuals with developmental disabilities including Autism, Cerebral Palsy, Down syndrome, etc. across the lifespan.
The REINVENT-PT lab is interested in understanding developmental trajectories of individuals with neurodevelopmental disabilities such as Autism, Cerebral Palsy, Down syndrome, and Intellectual Disability across the lifespan. We are interested in studying how infants and children with developmental disabilities explore their physical and social environment compared to typically developing peers and the cascading effects of motor difficulties on a child’s social communication and cognitive development. We are also interested in assessing health-related outcomes in adolescents and young adults with developmental disabilities, including their physical activity and physical fitness levels. Based on our understanding of the developmental trajectories of individuals with disabilities, our goal is to develop multi-system, engaging, evidence-based, behavioral interventions and assistive technologies to empower the lives of people with disabilities.

At present, the lab has 1 federally funded (funded through the National Institutes of Health) research project: a randomized control trial exploring the feasibility and efficacy of a novel upper extremity home-based training program using ride-on toys and navigational games to improve upper extremity function and spontaneous use in children with hemiplegia. Specifically, we are interested in comparing our novel ride-on toy intervention (called SPEED training) with a program based on conventional occupational therapy involving seated arts and craft activities (called CRAFT program).

Student Qualifications
We are looking for passionate, energetic, and empathetic undergraduate students interested in working on projects involving infants, children, and adults with disabilities. Students can pursue research at the lab for credit, for work study, and with the potential of converting a subset of the research into an honors Thesis. Students are required to commit to pursuing research in the lab for at least 2-3 semesters for the experience to be meaningful for students. Students are required to complete CITI training given that our research is with human subjects (details will be provided by the study PI).

How to Apply
Students from diverse backgrounds including but not limited to psychology, physiology and neurobiology, biology, exercise science, communication sciences, allied health, and education are encouraged to contact Dr. Sudha Srinivasan at sudha.srinivasan@uconn.edu. Please attach your CV/Resume and your unofficial transcript to your email.

Mentor: Dr. Sudha Srinivasan, Assistant Professor
Department: Kinesiology
Email: sudha.srinivasan@uconn.edu
Timing: Summer 2025, Ongoing
Campus: Storrs

Research Assistant for a Summer Field Survey Project

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Opportunity Description

Project: Dr. Steven Mellor (PSYC) has a model of psychological predictors of the decision to voluntarily leave one’s union. To test the model, data are needed from actively employed union members, in which the survey asks members to tell their union story. Field sites for data collection include open community events and local union meetings, in which survey participation is strictly voluntary and anonymous.

Responsibilities: In coordination with Dr. Mellor, student research assistants are expected to seek and find survey sites for data collection, and once found, to distribute and collect surveys.

Time commitment: The hours per week are not set. Devoted hours are dependent on how many sites can be generated and when survey administration is scheduled. The number of weeks is open, but could include June, July, and available weeks in August.

Pay: This is an unpaid assistantship, although Psyc 3889 course credit is available (Undergraduate Research-Independent Study).

Student Qualifications
Required qualifications: (a) Interest in developing basic skills in survey field research (assistantship includes one-on-one training and IRB certification) and (b) a valid drivers license and a car or ready access to a car (all survey sites are located off-campus).

How to Apply
Apply by emailing me (steven.mellor@uconn.edu) for a day and time to meet in my office (156 Bousfield Psychology Building, located on the Storrs campus); no resumé or application material is necessary.

Mentor: Steven Mellor, Associate Professor
Department: Psychological Sciences
Email: steven.mellor@uconn.edu
Timing: Summer 2025
Campus: Storrs & Remote work

Research Assistant in Child/Adolescent and Mood Program (CAMP) Lab

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Opportunity Description

Researchers in the Child/Adolescent and Mood Program (CAMP) Lab in the Department of Psychiatry at UConn Health are seeking undergraduate students to assist with their on-going research studies.

Primary responsibilities include:
➢ Participant Recruitment
➢ Helping study coordinators with administrative duties
➢ Contact with families and school personnel
➢ Data entry
➢ Scholarship opportunities
➢ Other duties assigned by the CAMP Lab

Student Qualifications
We are looking for volunteers who can commit to work a minimum of 8-10 hours per week for 1 year, which includes 1 in-person workday at our West Hartford location. This can be taken for course credit (PSYC 3889/3899).

How to Apply
Students should send an email describing their interest in working in our lab, their CV with current GPA, and a list of two references to Emilie Butler (ebutler@uchc.edu).

Mentor: Emilie Butler, Postdoctoral Fellow
Department: UConn School of Medicine
Email: ebutler@uchc.edu
Timing: Fall 2024, Spring 2025, Summer 2025, Ongoing
Campus: Remote opportunity with a commitment of 1 in-person workday in West Hartford, CT

• Congratulations, 2025 SURF Award Recipients!

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The Office of Undergraduate Research is pleased to announce the selection of 46 undergraduate students to receive SURF Awards in support of their summer undergraduate research projects.

Click here to view the full list of Summer 2025 SURF awardees.SURF logo 2

Congratulations, SURF awardees! Your curiosity, initiative, and motivation were evident in your applications and you have an exciting summer of deep engagement with the process of academic inquiry ahead of you. We look forward to hearing about all you learn and discover!

We thank the faculty members who supported SURF applicants in a range of roles: mentors, letter writers, and faculty review committee members. SURF represents a collaborative effort between students and faculty. This program would not be possible without the support and participation of the UConn faculty!

OUR also extends thanks to SURF supporters in the UConn community. We are grateful to the Office of the Provost, the Office of the Vice President for Research, and to the Deans of the Schools and Colleges of Agriculture, Health and Natural Resources; Education; Engineering; Fine Arts; Liberal Arts and Sciences; Nursing; and Pharmacy, who all pledged funding to the SURF competition this year. Alumni, parents, and friends of UConn also helped fund SURF awards. This collaborative funding effort ensures that SURF supports a diverse array of undergraduate research endeavors. We are grateful to all of our program partners for making intensive summer research opportunities available to students seeking to enrich their undergraduate experience in this way.

Once again, congratulations to the recipients of 2025 SURF awards, and good luck with your summer projects!

Thriving, Not Just Surviving: Balancing Research, Jobs, Clubs, & Schoolwork

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By Michela Brown, Peer Research Ambassador

Picture of Swan Lake and the Chemistry Building on the UConn Storrs campus with text: "Student Research Blog: Thriving, Not Just Surviving: Balancing Research, Jobs, Clubs, & Schoolwork, By PRA Michela."As a senior in college, I’ve come to know firsthand how overwhelming it can feel to juggle classes, jobs, club commitments, and leadership roles – let alone adding research to the mix. Some days, it seems like there just aren’t enough hours to get everything done, and the pressure to succeed can feel intense. But let me assure you – everything will be okay. The key is finding balance and giving yourself grace along the way. Here are some strategies that have helped me navigate this journey and a reminder that you are not alone. Continue reading →

Research Opportunity – Neurolinguistics and Neurocomputational Work

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Opportunity Description

The BrainLens Lab invites applications for research assistant positions focused on exploring the neural mechanisms underlying naturalistic language comprehension across populations with diverse linguistic and cultural backgrounds. This project employs a combination of behavioral and neural methodologies to enhance our understanding of how the brain processes language in real-world scenarios.

Students are expected to conduct literature reviews, participate in data collection, and manage and analyze research data. The position requires less than 9 hours per week, with weekly to biweekly team meetings for progress updates. Course credits are available, and opportunities for publication involvement may arise based on progress and interest.

Student Qualifications
Background or strong interest in cognitive neuroscience, psychology, linguistics, or a related field.
Basic knowledge of statistical approaches and data analysis tools (e.g., R or Python) is a plus.
Attention to detail and consistency is important.

How to Apply
If you are interested, please send an email to Dr. Chanyuan Gu (kmw24003@uconn.edu) with your resume.

Mentor: Chanyuan Gu, Postdoctoral Fellow
Department: Psychological Sciences
Email: kmw24003@uconn.edu
Timing: Fall 2024, Spring 2025, Summer 2025, Ongoing
Campus: Storrs

Research Assistant for Autism Intervention Systematic Review

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Opportunity Description

Join our systematic review project focused on understanding the effects of interventions on the brain and behavior of individuals with autism spectrum disorders (ASDs). We are conducting a comprehensive synthesis of neuroimaging and behavioral data from studies examining pre- and post-intervention changes in individuals with ASDs.

As a research assistant, your primary responsibilities will include:

  • Assisting with full-text screening of articles to determine eligibility based on our inclusion criteria.
  • Extracting data related to study design, participant demographics, intervention characteristics, neuroimaging, and behavioral outcomes.
  • Attending weekly team meetings (45 minutes online) to discuss progress, address challenges, and receive ongoing training and support.
  • Ensuring accuracy and consistency in data coding, and resolving discrepancies collaboratively.

This position offers an excellent opportunity to gain experience in research methods, systematic reviews, neuroimaging, and autism intervention research. Course credit is available for this role; however, monetary compensation is not available.

Time Commitment: Approximately 4-6 hours per week. Flexible schedule with an expected commitment for the Fall 2024 semester, with the possibility of extension into Spring 2025.

Student Qualifications
Required:

  • Junior or senior with interest in neuroscience, psychology, special education, or related fields.
  • Major in psychology, pre-med, neuroscience, education, or related field.
  • GPA of 3.5 or higher.
  • Attention to detail and ability to follow complex instructions.
  • Strong communication and teamwork skills.

Preferred (but not required):

  • Previous research experience or coursework in neuroimaging, systematic reviews, or autism spectrum disorders.
  • Familiarity with academic databases (e.g., PubMed, Scopus) and citation management software.

How to Apply
To apply, please submit your CV, a brief statement of interest, and your weekly availability for Fall 2024 to deborah.schneider-richardson@uconn.edu at your earliest convenience. Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis, so early submission is encouraged.

Mentor: Deborah Schneider, Post-Doctoral Research Associate
Department: Psychological Sciences (BrainLENS)
Email: deborah.schneider-richardson@uconn.edu
Timing: Fall 2024, Spring 2025, Summer 2025, Ongoing
Campus: Storrs

Research Assistant Opportunity – Fact Checker

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Opportunity Description

This position will support the publication of a book on the topic of the politics of disability and the US care crisis. The writing relates to the ways ableism (or the devaluation of disability) is embedded into every aspect of our culture and society, which then translates into such things as a lack of care infrastructure and the resulting dependence on the unpaid care work of family members. I am looking for a student who can assist with fact checking for the book, which is an important process in all researched/journalistic writing. Duties will include but aren’t limited to:

  • Checking cited references
  • Cross checking field notes
  • Learning how to use citation software
  • Creating bibliographies
  • General support

Student Qualifications
Qualifications:

  • Experience with research
  • Knowledge of fact checking processes

Preferred Qualifications:

  • Experience working for the school newspaper or in other journalistic endeavors

How to Apply
Please email your resume and a brief write up of why you think you are a good fit for this opportunity to Professor Laura Mauldin (laura.mauldin@uconn.edu.

Mentor: Laura Mauldin, Associate Professor
Department: WGSS/SCI
Email: laura.mauldin@uconn.edu
Timing: Fall 2024, Spring 2025
Campus: Storrs

Research Assistant at ECOM (Expression, Communication, and the Origins of Meaning) Research Group

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Opportunity Description

As an undergraduate research assistant at ECOM (Expression, Communication, and the Origins of Meaning Research Group), you will play a key role in organizing conferences and talks, contributing to the smooth execution of these academic events. You will also assist with research activities, particularly in conducting literature reviews to support ongoing projects. Additionally, if you have skills in website design, you will help maintain and update the ECOM website, ensuring it effectively communicates our work and events to the academic community. We are especially interested in students from philosophy, psychology, neuroscience, linguistics, or related fields, as this role offers valuable experience in both research and event coordination, along with the opportunity to enhance your digital skills.

Availability: Must be available to work approximately 9 hours per week, with some flexibility to accommodate key event dates. Specific times will be discussed during the interview process.

Student Qualifications
Academic Background: Must be an undergraduate student majoring in philosophy, psychology, neuroscience, linguistics, or a related field.

Research Skills: Ability to conduct thorough literature reviews, with a strong emphasis on critical thinking and synthesis of academic materials.

Event Coordination: Interest in or experience with organizing academic events, such as conferences and talks, is preferred.

Technical Skills: Basic proficiency in website design and maintenance is desirable but not required.

Communication: Strong written and verbal communication skills are essential for coordinating with event speakers, team members, and managing public-facing content.

Teamwork: Ability to work collaboratively in a team setting, as well as independently on assigned tasks.

Attention to Detail: Must be detail-oriented, especially in tasks related to research, event planning, and website content management

How to Apply
Interested students should submit the following materials to apply for this research opportunity:

  • CV/Resume: Include relevant academic background, coursework, and any previous research or event coordination experience.
  • Short Statement: Provide a brief statement (no more than 300 words) explaining your interest in this position, any relevant skills or experience you bring, and your availability.

Please send your application materials to Utku Sonsayar utku.sonsayar@uconn.edu

Mentor: Dorit Bar-On, Professor
Department: Philosophy
Email: dorit.bar-on@uconn.edu
Timing: Fall 2024, Spring 2025
Campus: Storrs