Hello!
My name is Su bin An and I am a rising senior, majoring in Psychology. I am here again to share my experience with my summer Brackenridge research. This summer, I worked with my mentor, Dr. Leslie Horton, and research staff in the YETI lab. I explored how the caregivers’ stress affects the social stress perceived by adolescents at clinical high-risk for psychosis, focusing on the quality of caregiver-adolescent relationships.
This Brackenridge research was my first independent research project at Pitt. Before starting this project, I spent one semester reading literature and assisting with ongoing studies in the lab. Watching other students develop their own research questions and expand their ideas, I initially felt unsure if I could do the same. It seemed daunting, and I wasn’t sure where to begin. However, with the encouragement of research mentors, I was able to open a new door and start my independent project, delving into my own curiosity.
Spending full-time on my project over the summer allowed me to engage in each step of the research process, significantly changing my understanding of the research. What initially felt like a foggy confusion turned into a clear image. Reading a lot of literature helped me narrow down the ideas I want to explore and understand the measures other scholars used, which enhanced my knowledge in this field. Adding new measures I chose into the NIH-funded study and working on consents was a valuable opportunity as an undergraduate student. Using apps and tools for my project and tracking how many participants completed the surveys made me think about the potential impact of this research. Even though it took time to receive IRB approval, modify consents, and receive participants’ consents, I am excited to continue collecting data and analyzing in the fall semester. This summer research gave me the courage to delve into the research.
Participating in the weekly seminars and engaging with the interdisciplinary cohort was a valuable experience. Listening to Dr. Brett and other students’ ideas broadened my thinking. While working in the lab, my thoughts were often confined to my field and area of curiosity. However, sitting in Cathy every Tuesday morning, I was able to step out of that boundary and expand my perspective. Writing about the purpose and significance reminded me weekly why I was doing this summer project, and discussing my project with my cohort helped me enhance my communication skills and think about how to present my ideas understandably.
Even though the fellowship is over, I will continue collecting data until the fall semester! I applied for the Bachelor of Philosophy degree this summer, and I will spend my last semester analyzing and writing a thesis! Additionally, I will keep thinking about grad schools. I am so grateful for this opportunity to expand my interests and open a new door in my career this summer.
