How was your experience in the Psychology department?

My experience in the Psychology department was enjoyable because of the support that our professors and adjunct instructors gave. Through a mix of riveting course material and enthusiastic instructors, every day was a new adventure. Dr. Emer, my advisor and mentor through my research sequence, provided a deep understanding of the research methodologies used in Psychology. With our small class sizes you can easily form a bond with your professors and get to know them on a personal level. 

What was your favorite part of the Psychology program?

My favorite part of the Psychology department was completing the research sequence and my senior thesis. It's an amazing feeling to come out of college with a completed project that you can look back on and be proud of. Since a career in research is my long-term goal, I especially liked learning about the different mechanisms that researchers in all disciplines of Psychology use. However, the thesis research sequence is designed so that even if you do not want to pursue a career in research, you are still developing skills that are applicable to higher education or learning lessons that apply to real life. 

Did you have an internship through the Psychology program?

I volunteered for 2 years in a Behavioral Neuroscience Research Laboratory as a Research Assistant. Although we do not currently have anyone doing this kind of research at Daemen, professors are a great resource for making connections with others conducting research. With Dr. Kashino's help, I was able to get started in a graduate student only lab assisting on multiple projects, attending two conferences, and having two poster presentations. I learned through hands on experience how to run experiments, troubleshoot problems that arise, and to analyze and summarize data

What are your plans after graduation?

Before graduation, I was accepted into a PhD program in Cognitive Psychology at the University at Buffalo. My experience in the behavioral neuroscience lab and my senior thesis project were essential to my acceptance into a graduate program. I feel that Daemen strongly prepared me for this next step by matching me up with a research assistantship that taught me essential skills needed for my future. The research sequence was also a key element for preparing me on how to come up with a good scientific question, what steps need to be taken to answer it, and how to analyze and interpret data.