Liberal Arts students gain hands-on research experience through psychology lab

UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. — Psychology students Ena Altier and Desirée Mecca understand the importance of taking advantage of undergraduate research opportunities.

During the fall semester, both students began working as undergraduate research assistants in the Cognitive Aging and Neuroimaging (CAN) Lab. Under the guidance of principal investigator Nancy Dennis, professor of psychology in the College of the Liberal Arts, the CAN Lab aims to understand the effects of aging on episodic memory using behavioral and neuroimaging methods.

“I enjoyed that I was constantly learning something new,” Altier said. “Although it is a time commitment, when we get there, it does not always feel like work because we are all having a good time together.”

Altier, a third-year student from Bucks County, met with the University’s Office of Undergraduate Research and Fellowships Mentoring to better understand the different opportunities and how to approach the application process. She said she ultimately chose the CAN Lab when she realized that she could tie her interests in occupational therapy to the lab's ongoing research.

Although her post-graduation plans have slightly changed, Altier said she knows that she can use the skills and knowledge she has learned in class and in the lab and apply them to future endeavors. She plans to intertwine her psychology degree and Smeal College business fundamentals certificate to help her excel in a business-focused career.

“Psychology is about humans, and we interact with humans every day,” Altier said. “We can apply psychology to a lot of different aspects in a variety of careers. You do not have to go in one specific direction.”

For Mecca, a fourth-year student from Scranton, the lab helped her discover a new direction she wanted to pursue upon graduation and in graduate school. Having both clinical and research experience, she said she plans to focus on clinical psychology.

“I feel like when people think of psychology, they automatically think of counseling or therapy,” Mecca said. “Which, to be honest, that was my initial thought of it until I got here. I still am very open to doing things like that, but ever since I got a taste into research, I realized how much you can do with it.”

In addition to Dennis, a handful of graduate students and lab managers keep the lab running smoothly. They act as mentors for the undergraduate research assistants and guide them through their tasks. Undergraduate research assistants in the lab help run studies and test participants in different areas of cognition, along with behavioral and neuropsychology tests. 

“Dr. Dennis and the graduate students are all helpful,” Altier said. “Someone is always nearby, so if I have any questions or anything, I know I can always go get one of them and they will be more than happy to help.”

Mecca was also able to develop an independent project stemming from an initial U.S. National Science Foundation-funded study, where she collected data and administered neuropsychological tests. Through her project, she explores the impact of mental health on false memory in younger and older adults, integrating her interests in clinical and cognitive psychology research. Mecca will present her findings later in the spring semester.

“When I brought up my idea, which is more clinical psychology focused, I was nervous because I do not necessarily want to go into cognitive psychology,” Mecca said. “However, everyone was so supportive, and as soon as I brought up my ideas, they validated them and helped me find more ways to make it a reality.”

Dennis encouraged both students to apply for enrichment funding through the Liberal Arts Career Enrichment Network to support their experience in the lab, understanding it can be a time commitment and financial burden.

“The opportunity to apply for enrichment funds was exceptionally helpful in continuing my research journey without financial worry,” Mecca said. “I am grateful that I got this funding to do something that will benefit me in the future.” 

Both students will continue in the lab this semester, and they said they highly encourage other students to get involved in research on campus. 

“I do not think you necessarily need a lot of background experience,” Altier said. “As long as you are willing to learn, focus and help with tasks, you can set yourself up for success.”

Career Enrichment Network

The Career Enrichment Network empowers Liberal Arts students to explore, engage and define their career journey through diverse career development opportunities. Students can meet with a career coach to explore careers, internships, education abroad, research, the Liberal Arts Alumni Mentor Program and more. Through donor support, the Career Enrichment Network is able to provide Liberal Arts students with funding to participate in many of these experiences.