Project Mentor
Dr. Helen Wu
Department of Department of Psychiatry
Undergraduate Research Opportunity Description
Project Description | Our project, “Engaging Communities of Color in Lifestyle Changes to Reduce Chronic Disease Risk: Creating Healthy Communities” has focused on reducing systemic racial barriers hindering lifestyle improvement and increasing chronic disease risks in communities of color. Racial and ethnic minorities face higher rates of chronic conditions and mortality due to systemic inequalities, particularly evident in diet-related disparities. The primary barriers to lifestyle changes are a lack of individual and community engagement, exacerbated by health disparities. The activities of the project, includes but is not limited to a) develop and test a community-based lifestyle educational curriculum using experiential learning theory, communication strategies, and S.M.A.R.T. goal settings; b) promote healthier eating norms by reducing structural racism in nutrition insecurity in the communities; and 3) conducting lifestyle interventions to examine individual and community engagement in lifestyle changes and assess their impact on health and dietary behavior improvements in community of color. |
Project Direction | The summer projects will 1) focus on learning basic concepts of health and health disparities via literature reviews and communities outreach activities; 2) if interests, learning about how to manage, collect and analyze health disparity data; and 3) under supervision, can take a leadership organizing community surveys or community outreach activities in health disparity. |
Mentorship and Supervision | First, initial training will be adequately planned with a clear goal and deliverable during the first week of the summer project. Second, weekly meeting with individual student learning will be scheduled for updating learning progress. Dr. Wu will provide feeback during these meetings. Third, the student learners will participate in a weekly reserach team with our research personnel, graduate students, medical students, and other learners. Fourth, Besides meetings, supervision, mentoring and feedbacks will be communicated via various channels, such as email, videoconferencing, etc. Dr. Wu and team emphasize motivating and developing our learners with diverse background and offering chances for all members to demonstrate leadership. |
Student Qualifications | Students’ requirement is minimum, but they will demonstrate interests in health disparity and its research; well organized, with a high standard of professionalism, and with a 3.2 GPA. Pre-health students are preferred. |
Summer Schedule Options | Research Dates: May 19 to July 25, 2025 Schedule: During the 10-week period, frequency and duration of work hours can be discussed. Sometimes it may need to work on weekends or after hours if our community activities may be planned. |
Project Continuation | Fall 2025, Spring 2026 |
Academic Year Time Commitment | 3 hours/week |
Possible Thesis Project | Yes |
Application
Submit an online application for this research opportunity at https://quest.uconn.edu/prog/HRPSU25-36. The application deadline is Monday, February 17, 2025.
This application requires a cover letter, a resume or CV, an unofficial transcript, GPA minimum of 3.2 and science GPA minimum of 3.0, a brief statement of research interests, and a brief statement of career interests. References should be available upon request.