I am a junior pursuing a dual degree in Public Health, and Sociology. I am a member of the Honors College, a Sondheim Scholar, a McNair Scholar, and a Jack Kent Cook Scholar.
Title of your research project: Food Insecurity among College Students at a Minority Serving Institution
Describe your project:
I developed a study to investigate food insecurity at UMBC and to understand student experiences and perceptions of ways to combat this issue. After gathering over 500 responses, I am currently analyzing the data in preparation to share my findings with UMBC administration and Retriever Essentials.
Who is your mentor(s) for your project?
I began this project in the fall of 2023 through the McNair Scholars Program and chose Dr. Sameera Nayak from the Public Health department as my mentor. I selected her because I knew she would be exceptionally helpful in guiding me through the research process. Additionally, she has expertise in researching topics related to the social determinants of health. Dr. Nayak has been incredibly supportive and continues to provide invaluable assistance.
How did you become interested in this project?
During the summer after my first year at UMBC, I interned at a nonprofit in my local community named Columbia Community Care. My work included managing the food pantry and deepening my understanding of food insecurity in Howard County. When I returned to school for my sophomore year, I was interested in exploring this issue on my college campus and generating data that could be used to address it.
What has been the hardest part about your research/what was the most unexpected thing about being a researcher?
There have been challenges at every stage of my research journey, which is completely normal. As I’m currently in the data analysis phase, some of the difficulties I’ve faced include learning to use programming software that I wasn’t previously familiar with. I also didn’t anticipate how time-consuming the research process can be.
What has been the most rewarding part?
The most rewarding part has been connecting with others who share similar research interests and meeting individuals who have provided valuable insights for my study. I am also very grateful for the perspectives students shared in my survey and the solutions they proposed.
How will you disseminate your research?
I plan to present my results to the UMBC administration, the Retriever Essentials staff, the broader UMBC community at URCAD, and at future conferences outside of UMBC.
What is your advice to other students about getting involved in research?
Talk to your professors whose research interests you and ask if they have opportunities for you to join their lab. You can also design your own research project, like I did, and find a professor who can support you through it. Lastly, I recommend applying for and participating in summer research opportunities outside of UMBC to broaden your network!
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Email: aprilh@umbc.edu