The experience was very biology-driven, moreso than I expected it to be. I would've preferred to do more chemistry because that is the area I am most interested in.
Advice
Exploring different experiences during both the summers and the semesters during college are beneficial to teach you what you want and don't want for your future. This summer taught me, for example, that I don't want to pursue the biology aspects of biochemistry in chemical engineering, as well as that I don't want to do research.
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Research Assistant
June - August 2017 • Villanova, PA
What I liked
Quality lab experience
What I wish was different
Long//unusual hours
Advice
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Researcher
June - August 2018 • Villanova, PA
What I liked
I loved working on my own schedule and deciding what I wanted to do for my own project.
What I wish was different
I wish I had more time to think about other side projects alongside my summer thesis.
Advice
Be prepared to make your own decisions, to work by yourself, and ask questions when you can.
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Villanova Undergraduate Research Fellow Recipient
May - August 2018 • Villanova, PA
What I liked
I enjoyed conducting research and having the opportunity to really explore an area of interest to me: speech perception and production. I liked working so closely with my mentor and forming a good relationship with him. I learned a lot about the scientific method and what goes into conducting an experiment and producing good data. I liked learning new statistical and computer programing techniques and methods, and reading journal articles to better understand my area of research.
What I wish was different
I wish that I could have done something this summer in addition to working on my research project, such as another job, internship, shadowing opportunity, taking a class, etc.
Advice
I would advise other students to participate in research one way or another. Research helps to keep science and society moving forward. I would take the opportunity as an undergraduate to gain experience working in a lab, under a mentor, and to have the chance to apply what you learn in a classroom and from readings. Research is a great tool to better understand problems and work out questions, theories and ideas that have yet to be solved or understood.
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ACSP Summer Researcher
June - August 2018 • Villanova, PA
What I liked
I loved getting to do research outside of my major and I loved getting to be exposed to all sorts of things that I would not have had the time to learn in a one semester class.
What I wish was different
Advice
My research this summer is exactly what I made of it, so I would encourage people to research something that they are absolutely passionate about.
