I also work as a desk staffer at Potomac Hall on the UMBC Campus.

Read more about Abigail's research by clicking the link below:

Researchers have shown that video game distraction via virtual reality (VR) technology can be used to provide distraction from a stimulus that causes mild discomfort. The continued research in VR distraction is critical for young patients in hematology-oncology clinics, as they must endure repeated uncomfortable medical procedures. The findings of this research are intended to benefit this population specifically. To the best of my knowledge, there is no guide in the literature on how long you need to train people before video-game distraction becomes an effective pain-reduction tool. This study is aimed to fill this gap in the literature by examining the difference between practicing for two to three minutes before playing a video game and practicing for 20 to 30 minutes before playing a video game before using the video game as a distraction during exposure to uncomfortably cold water. This study will: (1) test the effectiveness of video games as a distraction for acute pain management, and (2) evaluate the impact of training intensity on the video games’ ffectiveness as a distracter for acute cold-pressor pain.

I took a psychology course during my freshman year with my current mentor. I enjoyed the class and wanted to do research in a psychology lab. After talking with her, I started working in her Pediatric Psychology Lab during Summer 2010.

I have really enjoyed working in this lab during the past three summers, when we typically run participants in the virtual reality distraction study. Because of this, I have been interested in video game distraction as a project. I love the application of this study; using research to determine the best method for distracting kids in hospitals from their painful medical procedures is a great way to help the general public and local communities.

Yes.

Yes, I’m taking PSYC 398 for course credit.

It is important to put a lot of care and dedication into a project of this nature because the success of the project is dependent on the development of the methodology and how to complete data collection. When the protocol is complete, I will be in the lab collecting data for the participants, which will typically be about 10-15 hours per week. Data collection will be from approximately September 2012 until January 2012.

A few of my friends have applied and earned URA awards for their research projects. Because of how helpful the program was for their research, they suggested that I apply and learn more about this program.

I was a Junior at UMBC, earning a B.S.degree in Psychology. I had taken my core requirements within my department in order to be able to complete an independent project and understand how to do the statistical analyses for my data.

My mentor helped me highlight the strengths of my project and be able to convey the effectiveness of my research skills in the application. Because of my experience in her lab, she was able to help see the most important rationales for doing this project and how this experiment is beneficial to the literature on distraction and pain.

I have been a part of the Residential Life community on campus, specifically working as a Resident Assistant (RA) for the past two and a half years. I’ve also been a supplemental instruction (SI Leader) in the math department, helping tutor weekly sessions of pre-calculus for students.

Get as much experience with research as possible. Talk with your professors and ask them about what they do in their lab. Getting involved is the best way to figure out what type of research you might want to do in the future.

I will be applying to Clinical Ph.D programs this fall. I plan on doing research on the ritualistic tendencies of eating disorders and OCD. Following a program of this nature, I would like to work in academia and do research with patients in local hospitals and community centers.

Read more about Megan's research by clicking the link below:

Rebuilding Manhood is a 10-week group just for men to explore manhood, masculinity, and other intersecting identities.

• Be a part of a student group seeking to create a new culture through discourse.
• Develop meaningful connections with campus leaders.
• Make a different at UMBC and in society at large.

Applications are due Friday, February 1st.

Meetings will take place on Fridays at 2pm in the Women's Center beginning Friday, February 8th.

For more information, contact the Women's Center at womens.center@umbc.edu

The Domestic Violence Center of Howard County will be hosting a free event at Howard Community College on Feb 19th about preventing dating violence.

Topics will include:

• Effects on health and academic achievement
• Dating and campus life
• Men and Boys taking action to end violence

Free refreshments will be provided... folks pre-registered will be eligible for prize drawings.

“Spiritual Music and its Relation to Personality”

This is my last semester at USG/UMBC and I will be graduating this spring. I received academic credit for doing my own study (as well as to write a research paper) but I mainly did this for the sake of conducting research in general. Some people enjoy playing sports, going to the movies, etc. I enjoy doing research because it enables me to expand my knowledge and to apply what I have learned during my years as an undergraduate at USG/UMBC. I also like to explore other ways to benefit people through research.

I definitely plan to go to graduate school, but first I need to get a job that can pay for it. For the immediate future I plan to pace it down a bit because I have not stopped since my senior year in high school. I have taken summer courses ever since and I need a small break before I venture into the world of graduate school. I also plan to continue pursuing psychology as my major but I want to specialize, and get my Masters, in a more holistic discipline, such as “Transpersonal Psychology.” 

I was a transfer from Montgomery College to USG and this transition was a little difficult because I was not used to writing research papers using the APA format. For this reason I had to adapt myself to this new way but I easily picked it up. One of the reasons that I joined the “Writing Fellows Program” was to help those students who were still at Montgomery College and who were going to struggle if they were not used to the way things are done at the upper level.