Project Mentor

Dr. Siddika Mulchan
Department of Pediatrics

Undergraduate Research Opportunity Description

Project Description	This project seeks to examine the feasibility and efficacy of a health care provider-focused intervention to reduce implicit racial bias toward youth with sickle cell disease (SCD). Specific aims are to: 1) examine the feasibility of an intervention incorporating individuation and perspective-taking targeting health care provider implicit racial bias toward youth with SCD, 2) examine the efficacy of the intervention on reducing health care provider implicit racial bias in pediatric SCD, and 3) examine whether the intervention contributes to less biased decision-making in pediatric SCD clinical care. Opportunities to assist with the development and validation of computer-based vignettes with artificial intelligence (AI) interface to ensure measures to assess implicit racial bias are scientifically-valid.
Project Direction	Following development and validation of vignettes, these measures will be used to examine the efficacy of an intervention incorporating individuation and perspective-taking targeting health care provider implicit racial bias toward youth with SCD. Future project aims include validating vignettes in other pediatric pain populations and other health care settings (e.g., SCD adult clinical care).
Mentorship and Supervision	I will provide access and training to the student regarding project tasks and all statistical software. I will also closely monitor the student’s progress and provide weekly supervision either in person or via Zoom (COVID-19 Contingency Plan) for 30-60 minutes to provide feedback, discuss the student’s career aspirations, and facilitate career development by linking them with other faculty members.
Student Qualifications	Qualifications for participation in this research opportunity include previous coursework completed in psychological/behavioral sciences and statistics and organizational and effective time management skills.
Summer Schedule Options	Research Dates: May 24 to July 30, 2021 Schedule: M-F, 8am-5pm Location: Connecticut Children’s Medical Center (CCMC)
Project Continuation	Fall 2021, Spring 2022
Academic Year Time Commitment	6 hours/week
Possible Thesis Project	Yes

Application

Submit an online application for this research opportunity at https://quest.uconn.edu/prog/HRP21-22. The application deadline is Monday, February 1, 2021.

This application requires a cover letter, a resume or CV, an unofficial transcript, a brief statement of research interests, a brief statement of career interests, a brief personal statement (3-5 sentences), and contact information for references.