Learning and Mentorship Study
Faculty Sponsor: Naomi Eisenberger
Department: Psychology
Contact Name: Akila Kadambi
E-mail: akadambi@ucla.edu
Description of Research Project:
The study is conducted remotely and is a collaboration effort across research groups (Eisenberger and Bjork Labs). The project involves pairing together adoptive foster youth (ages 9 -16) and undergraduate students at UCLA as part of a larger mentorship intervention. Each participant pair will meet once a week via zoom to discuss pre-determined learning and humanistic education topics, over a longitudinal period (six weeks per participant pair).
Description of Student Responsibilities:
The research assistant will assist, and potentially lead, aspects of: general study coordination, participant recruitment, and data collection. Prior experience working in lab settings with human subjects and clinical populations is preferred. The research assistant should ideally be able to commit a large portion of time to the project, have excellent organizational skills, and provide at least a two quarter commitment. An interest in learning, mentorship, prosociality and/or foster youth is a must.
If interested, please email your CV/resume and a brief statement of interest to Akila Kadambi, akadambi@ucla.edu.
Parent/Caregiver emotion-related brain activity in response to a trauma-informed family intervention
Faculty Sponsor: Hajal, Nastassia
Department: Psychiatry & Biobehavioral Sciences
Contact Name: Nastassia Hajal
E-mail: EarlyChildhood@mednet.ucla.edu
Website: https://nfrc.ucla.edu/ParentsOfPreschoolers
Description of Research Project:
Millions of U.S. parents have experienced trauma, putting them at risk for maladaptive parenting practices, which then confer vulnerabilities to their children. Research in our lab aims to enhance understanding of how parental emotional dysregulation associated with traumatic stress impedes effective parenting.
We are currently seeking research assistants for an ongoing randomized controlled trial (RCT) that employs neurophysiological methods (electroencephalogram; EEG) to address some of the challenges inherent in the study of emotion (particularly in trauma-exposed individuals) and to identify potential biomarkers of traumatic stress and response to intervention.
Participants include families with 3- to 6-year-old children in which a parent/caregiver has their own history of childhood interpersonal trauma or loss. On two occasions approximately 2 months apart, parents visit the UCLA lab for an EEG assessment. Parents view evocative child stimuli (audio-visual) while EEG is recorded (other study assessment measures include parent-report questionnaires and parent-child interaction tasks).
After the first EEG assessment, families are randomized to either the FOCUS-Early Childhood Program group (n = 30), or the web-based parent education curriculum group (n = 30). EEG-measured neurophysiological indices of emotional arousal (parietal cortical activity), motivation (frontal cortical activity), and regulation (frontal-parietal functional connectivity) will be examined in relation to parent traumatic stress symptoms, observed and self-reported parenting behaviors, self-reported emotion and coping, and response to intervention.
Description of Student Responsibilities:
We are currently seeking students to assist with the EEG lab visits and processing of EEG data.
Other potential activities for students may include community outreach for participant recruitment and coding of video recorded parent-child interaction tasks for child and parent emotion and behavior.
At least two quarter commitment is required.
Mind Wandering and Reading Comprehension in Upper Elementary Students
Faculty Sponsor: Alison Bailey
Department: Education
Contact Name: Despina Goral
E-mail: despinap@ucla.edu
Description of Research Project:
I am investigating factors that impact children’s reading comprehension. This study examines what 4th and 5th grade students think about while they read, particularly as their minds wander to subjects other than the text. The study will consider whether cognitive and literacy skills are associated with between-child differences in mind wandering while reading. The study will also look at the degree to which mind wandering impacts reading comprehension.
Description of Student Responsibilities:
This study will be completed remotely. The research assistant will participate in data collection by administering standardized and experimental measures to 4th and 5th grade students via Zoom. The research assistant should be available to collect data at least 2 afternoons per week. The research assistant will also help with data management and administrative tasks. Potential assistants must be detail-oriented and able to communicate professionally via email and phone. Experience working with children is preferred. There may be opportunities to continue participating in this project in the summer and fall.
Interested students should email their resume/CV and a short statement of interest (less than 250 words) to despinap@ucla.edu. Please be ready to provide a reference, either from prior experience working with children (e.g. from a supervisor, or from a parent of a child you’ve tutored or babysat) or from a UCLA faculty member.
Effect of video games on visual learning
Faculty Sponsor: Zili Liu
Department: Psychology
Contact Name: Maggie Yeh
E-mail: maggieyeh@g.ucla.edu
Room Number: 8505 Pritzker
Phone: 4153738678
Description of Research Project:
This research project aims to quantify and evaluate the utility of action video games (first-person shooters) as training for visual skills. Video game players have been generally shown to demonstrate enhanced visual skills, especially relating to attention. However, the question remains: is this benefit due to the video games, or are the players self-selecting by choosing to play games because they are already better at visual skills? This project will compare video games to other methods of visual learning training, and evaluate potential limitations.
Description of Student Responsibilities:
Research assistants will assist with data collection. Previous experience with video games not required. The specific tasks involved may vary based on individual student interest. Research assistants will be required to attend a weekly RA meeting.
CBT for Youth with Autism and Emotional/Behavioral Needs in Community Care Settings (CYAN)
Faculty Sponsor: Dr. Jeffrey Wood
Department: Education, Division of Human Development and Psychology
Contact Name: Ginny Sklar, UCLA Wood Lab Study Coordinator
E-mail: vsklar@ucla.edu
Description of Research Project:
Our team in the Wood Lab at UCLA in the Department of Education within the Human Development and Psychology Division, have been studying cognitive-behavioral interventions (CBT) that have been adapted for children on the autism spectrum and we have identified a number of effective practices in our published research (Wood et al., 2009; 2015; 2019; 2020).
Our primary goal in this random assignment study of CBT is to understand how to best support school-aged youth, ages 6 - 14, on the autism spectrum who are experiencing emotional or behavioral challenges within community care settings (e.g., regional centers, private practice, school-based settings). We are collaborating with practitioners (e.g., therapists, counselors, speech/language pathologists, occupational therapists, psychologists, and behavior analysts) from the California Regional Centers, and the California public schools to try these practices in their work with school-aged children on the autism spectrum. We hope this will help refine our free autism intervention training program, and can help disseminate expertise in working with children on the autism spectrum within the community.
Description of Student Responsibilities:
Being a community partnered research study where we are working with many practitioners and families in California, we are looking for 1 - 2 undergraduate research assistants fluent in Spanish Language to support with two important tasks. First, our recruitment, assessment, and intervention materials need to be translated into Spanish to better support the families we are recruiting (e.g., recruitment forms, assessments, phone screenings, recruitment flyers). We are also looking for someone to support recruited families to maintain retention and support of both the child and family as they receive the intervention.
Digital Science Communication Intern
Faculty Sponsor: Andrew Fuligni
Department: Psychology & Psychiatry
Contact Name: Kevin Irizarry
E-mail: kevinirizarry@ucla.edu
Website: https://developingadolescent.semel.ucla.edu/
Description of Research Project:
The mission of the UCLA Center for the Developing Adolescent is to improve adolescent health, education, and well-being through developmental science. We build bridges between research, programs, and policy to achieve these critical long-term outcomes:
● Stronger public respect for adolescents and recognition that adolescence is a period of rapid learning and positive opportunities to shape the rest of our lives
● Greater knowledge of how interventions and practices can most effectively promote positive adolescent development, especially for those farthest from opportunity
● Improved policies and funding to advance equity in adolescent growth and development
We champion adolescence as an important developmental window of great vulnerabilities and opportunities, with lifelong impacts on health, education, well-being, and social as well as economic success.
We are looking for a passionate and experienced young leader interested in assisting our digital communications work and social media presence while learning about the developmental science of adolescence.
Qualifications
● Experience leading social media accounts and content, preferably for an initiative or organization
● Ability to research and compile relevant and on-trend news clips
● Excellent verbal and written communication skills
● Knowledge of and interest in adolescent or child development
● Commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion
Benefits
● Academic credit
● Friendly and open environment dedicated to mentorship and youth empowerment
● Opportunity to learn about the developmental science of adolescence and work alongside leading experts in the field
● Work as a valued and equal member of a small team of passionate individuals
● Valuable digital communications and social media experience
To Apply
Please send a resume and statement of interest, no longer than 300 words, outlining your relevant experience, reasons for applying, and one or more ideas or projects you’d like to initiate while in this role to kevinirizarry@g.ucla.edu with “Digital Communications Intern” in the subject line. Please include your personal or organizational social media handles for examples of your work.
Description of Student Responsibilities:
Responsibilities
● Compile daily news clips related to the Center and its subject focus and prepare weekly news briefing for staff
● Working with Communications Director and Digital Media Specialist, post approved social media messages to social media accounts
● Provide input and ideas from the college-student perspective to increase and expand engagement based on the science and work of the Center and its partners
● Contribute blog posts for the website
● Contribute social media copy
● Attend at least two weekly comms staff meetings
● Complete additional communications and social media tasks as assigned
School Mental Health Project/Center for Mental Health in Schools
Faculty Sponsor: Adelman, Howard
Department: Psychology
Contact Name: Howard Adelman
E-mail: adelman@psych.ucla.edu
Room Number: 825-1225
Website: http://smhp.psych.ucla.edu
Description of Research Project:
The project pursues theory, research, practice and training related to addressing mental health and psychosocial concerns through school-based interventions. To these ends, the Center works closely with school districts, state agencies, and organizations and colleagues across the country, providing support, materials and technical assistance.
Description of Student Responsibilities:
Students will assist in Center operations, working on a variety of activities including: library research, materials preparation, and data management. No prior research experience is needed, just a willingness to learn. 6 hour/week minimum commitment.
Social Skills Training for Children
Faculty Sponsor: Baweja, Shilpa
Department: Child Psychiatry
Contact Name: Baweja, Shilpa
E-mail: SBaweja@mednet.ucla.edu
Room Number: Semel Institute
Phone: 310-825-0142
Website: http://www.semel.ucla.edu/socialskills
Description of Research Project:
Our project seeks to assess effectiveness of parent assisted social skills training with children (ages 7-12) who have established deficits in making and/or keeping friends (including children with Autism Spectrum Disorders or ADHD). Each week we instruct them on important elements of socialization (i.e., conversational skills; peer entry and exiting strategies; handling teasing, bullying, and rejection; changing bad reputations; choosing peers wisely; handling arguments and disagreements; and having appropriate get-togethers with peers). Separate parent and child sessions are conducted concurrently for each week. Parents are taught how to assist their children in making and keeping friends by providing performance feedback through coaching during weekly in vivo socialization homework assignments. Kids are taught important social skills through didactic instruction, role-plays, and behavioral rehearsal during real play activities.
Description of Student Responsibilities:
The RA is needed to assist with our social skills interventions on Wednesday evenings. Research assistants will assist with preparing materials for intervention, conducting research fidelity during the group, assisting with behavior management, and providing performance feedback to children and teens through coaching during real play activities. In addition during the week the RA will assist with completing initial intake assessments with families--including helping administer/score assessments and keeping an up-to-date research database. We require a 2 quarter commitment. Must be available a couple of afternoons during the week as well as Wednesdays 5:15pm-8:15pm.
Designing Workplaces, Schools, and Standardized Tests to Reduce Social Disparities
Faculty Sponsor: Brannon, Tiffany
Department: Psychology
Contact Name: Tiffany Brannon
E-mail: tbrannon@ucla.edu
Room Number: 4528D
Website: https://www.psych.ucla.edu/faculty/page/tbrannon
Description of Research Project:
The goal of this research is to understand the processes that allow culturally inclusive efforts to become successful interventions that improve a variety of social outcomes. Specifically, this research examines the prediction that culturally inclusive efforts— those that aim to reduce prejudice and recognize pride associated with negatively stereotyped identities— can enhance academic outcomes (e.g., achievement, persistence, identification) and intergroup outcomes (e.g., implicit attitudes, multicultural interests). This research examines this predication in the context of workplace and school settings (including standardized testing).
Description of Student Responsibilities:
Students will have the opportunity to actively participate in various tasks with the goal of learning and cultivating the development of research skills related to conducting literature reviews, helping to design study stimuli, serving as a study experimenter, entering data and coding data.
Memory and Aging
Faculty Sponsor: Castel, Alan
Department: Psychology
Contact Name: Mary Whatley
E-mail: mcwhatley@ucla.edu
Website: http://castel.psych.ucla.edu
Description of Research Project:
The purpose of this research is to better understand how well both younger and older adults can direct attention to information that they want to later remember, and how motivation (in various forms) influences what people attend to and later remember. Prior research shows that overall memory declines as people age, but the ability to remember information that is deemed valuable or important is largely preserved with age. Factors such as motivation and attention can influence memory in both younger and older adults, and this has implications ranging from educational settings (e.g., college students trying to remember information for classes) to everyday memory issues (e.g., remembering the name of someone you recently met). This research also involves examining predictions and judgments about memory, strategies people may use to try to improve memory, and other metacognitive factors that may influence or correlate with memory performance.
Description of Student Responsibilities:
Students may assist with a variety of tasks in the lab, including participant contact and scheduling, data collection (e.g., running tasks with participants), designing experiments, and managing databases. Students should be professional, organized, and personable. No prior experience is required, but students should have some interest in the topic and willingness to learn. Knowledge or experience with coding languages is a plus, but not required. Please submit a brief paragraph stating your interest and a resume/CV to Mary Whatley (graduate student) at mcwhatley@ucla.edu.
Connecting Evidence to Action to Engage Student in School-Based Mental Health (REACHing Families)
Faculty Sponsor: Chorpita, Bruce
Department: Psychology
Contact Name: Meredith Boyd
E-mail: meredithboyd@ucla.edu
Website: https://www.childfirst.ucla.edu/
Description of Research Project:
The primary aim of the present study is to explore the impact of a coordinated knowledge system on therapist use of evidence to increase youth engagement in school based mental health services.
Description of Student Responsibilities:
Complete HIPAA, CITI and lab specific training to handle and process data, Listen to and transcribe recordings of school-based psychotherapy sessions conducted in Spanish Translate transcriptions from Spanish to English Conduct literature reviews Attend and participate in weekly lab meetings aimed at professional develop and increasing research fluency.
Reaching Families Study
Faculty Sponsor: Chorpita, Bruce
Department: Psychology
Contact Name: Meredith Boyd
E-mail: meredithboyd@ucla.edu
Website: https://www.childfirst.ucla.edu/
Description of Research Project:
The Child FIRST (Focus on Innovation and Redesign in Systems and Treatment) Lab at UCLA is dedicated to improving the quality of children’s mental health care through innovations in mental health treatment design and clinical decision-making. We are currently conducting a research project aimed at improving child engagement in school-based mental health services.
Description of Student Responsibilities:
We are currently recruiting research assistants to transcribe clinical recordings in Spanish and translate to English starting summer 2020 (abie to volunteer remotely if required encryption and confidentiality training is completed). Responsibilities include: --6 hour/week minimum commitment --assist with a diverse range of research tasks including transcribing, translating (Spanish to English), data entry and literature review --complete required confidentiality and human subjects training online --attend weekly professional development meetings tailored to your interests and goals.
Pediatric and Adult Research in Autism Spectrum Disorders and ADHD
Faculty Sponsor: Del'Homme, Melissa
Department: Psychiatry and Biobehavioral Sciences
Contact Name: Jenny Cowen, PhD
E-mail: jcowen@mednet.ucla.edu
Room Number: Med Plaza 300
Phone: 310-825-6170
Description of Research Project:
Our multidisciplinary team conducts several pediatric and adult treatment studies to investigate and treat a wide range of psychiatric disorders. Our broad interests are reflected by the many of clinical trials we conduct including treating ADHD and severe mood dysregulation in children and adolescents with an innovative non-medication approach, examining the efficacy of several medications on different symptoms of autism spectrum disorders including repetitive, hyperactive, and social withdrawal behaviors. The RA will have ample opportunity to interact with children and adults ages 5-35 with autism spectrum disorders and ADHD. Our lab offers a unique union of psychiatry and psychology for those students who are interested in learning about research in these fields!
Description of Student Responsibilities:
We are looking for detail-oriented, enthusiastic, hard-working, organized, sociable, and independent students who are interested in learning about the research process and psychiatric disorders! The RA will be trained to administer vital signs including heart rate, blood pressure, height and weight, and EKG. The RA will also help facilitate study participant blood draws, process blood and urine, ship biological materials (after training), assist in preparing for and running study visits, data entry and management, developing participant recruitment strategies, as well as administrative/clerical tasks. Students who have shown dedication, interest and commitment to our projects in the past have created posters, helped to design databases, and have been connected with researchers in other areas of their interest. Students with experience in graphic design will have the opportunity to be creative and lead development of recruitment materials and manage the evolving group website and content. We would like at least a 2 quarter commitment from any interested students. Please attach a resume and class schedule to your email application.
Mind, Brain, Body Study
Faculty Sponsor: Dr. Bridget Callaghan
Department: Psychology
Contact Name: Emily Towner
E-mail: bablab.ucla@gmail.com
Room Number: 5581 Franz Hall Tower
Phone: 310-909-7083
Website: https://brainandbodylab.psych.ucla.edu/
Description of Research Project:
The Mind, Brain, Body study looks at how early caregiving experiences influence emotional, cognitive, and brain development, as well as physical health and wellness. The study also explores how the bacteria that live inside us (the microbiome) are connected to the development of our brains and bodies.
Description of Student Responsibilities:
The primary responsibilities include assisting with research sessions, data entry and validation, preparation of research materials, and recruitment. Research assistants are expected to commit to at least 10 hours/week with the lab for a minimum of 1-year. Research assistants will have the opportunity to attend lab meetings and be involved with all aspects of the research process. Candidates should be professional and organized, with good communication skills and a desire to learn! Interested students should email a CV to bablab.ucla@gmail.com.
Inflammation and Daily Life Study
Faculty Sponsor: Eisenberger, Naomi
Department: Psychology
Contact Name: Laura Hazlett
E-mail: laurahazlett@ucla.edu
Description of Research Project:
The Inflammation and Daily Life study will investigate whether an anti-inflammatory medication (naproxen; Aleve) can reduce loneliness in middle aged adults currently experiencing high levels of loneliness. We’ll also explore how naproxen affects daily life experiences, including physical and mental health outcomes, as well as the immune system. The research incorporates various fields including social and health psychology, immunology, psychiatry/medicine, and human social genomics.
Description of Student Responsibilities:
No prior research experience is required, however we do ask that you have an interest in the project, enjoy working collaboratively as part of a research team, be organized and thoughtful, with good communication skills and a desire to learn! Research assistants are expected to commit to at least 10 hours/week for a minimum of 1 year (ideally beginning this summer). Primary responsibilities include screening potential participants for eligibility, data entry and management, preparation of research materials, and assisting with the intervention (e.g. monitoring subjects’ daily responses to questionnaires or scheduling text messages, and conducting subjects’ online study sessions). If you are interested, please email Laura Hazlett at laurahazlett@ucla.edu describing why you are interested in this position, and your 1) resume/CV; 2) unofficial transcript; 3) availability for the summer and Fall.
Biobehavioral Research in Children with Life-threatening Illnesses
Faculty Sponsor: Evan, Elana E.
Department: Pediatrics
Contact Name: Elana E. Evan, PhD
E-mail: eevan@mednet.ucla.edu
Room Number: 22-464 MDCC
Phone: 310-206-1771
Website: http://www.uclahealth.org/cccp
Description of Research Project:
The Children's Comfort Care Program at the UCLA Mattel Children's Hospital is home to an active biobehavioral research lab focusing on the care of children with serious illnesses. These are just a few examples of a variety of exciting, open projects with volunteer opportunities: Pediatric Symptom Communication Study: The goal of this study is to understand children's experiences of physical, emotional, and psychological symptoms during serious illness and determine the extent to which parents and children agree about the symptom experience; Communication Intervention: Help facilitate the implementation of a communication intervention for children with serious illnesses and their parents; Healthcare Provider Education: Assist during educational presentations and the distribution of information materials to healthcare staff who work with seriously ill children; provide support to track progress and efficacy of educational interventions for healthcare providers.
Description of Student Responsibilities:
"RESEARCH ASSISTANTS will be needed to: code qualitative interviews conduct literature reviews enter data assist in data management participate in related research and program development tasks ELIGIBILITY: completed Pysch 100B or an equivalent research methods course must be responsible & detail-oriented submit a resume must work well independently & with a team volunteer at least 8-10 hrs/wk "
Gender identity and own body perception implications for the neurobiology of gender dysphoria
Faculty Sponsor: Feusner, Jamie
Department: Psychiatry and Biobehavioral Sciences
Contact Name: Courtney Sheen
E-mail: csheen@mednet.ucla.edu
Description of Research Project:
Perturbations of the experience of self and gender identity motivate individuals with gender dysphoria towards changing their bodies with hormones and surgical interventions, which are often effective in relieving dysphoria for adults and youth. However, little is known about the neural circuitry involved in body perception in those with gender dysphoria, how it is affected by hormonal treatment, and what may predict better or worse longitudinal outcome after treatment. This study will provide valuable information on the neurobiological underpinning of gender dysphoria, and promises to uncover brain structure, activation, and connectivity, as well as body phenotype and hormonal patterns that could predict outcome in terms of body image and quality of life after cross-sex hormone treatment, which ultimately could be used to assist in medical decision-making.
Description of Student Responsibilities:
Assist with data management and analysis, attend weekly lab meetings, record/collect behavioral data, assist with MRI and EEG data collection.
Early Childhood Partial Hospitalization Program
Faculty Sponsor: Freeman, Stephanny
Department: Child Psychiatry
Contact Name: Freeman, Stephanny
E-mail: SFreeman@mednet.ucla.edu
Room Number: Semel Institute 78-222
Description of Research Project:
The Early Childhood Partial Hospitalization Program is a short-term integrated day treatment program for young children who have been diagnosed with, or may have, autism, developmental disabilities, and behavior disorders. The program uses a comprehensive
Description of Student Responsibilities:
The position is entry-level and is focused heavily on data and database management (i.e., data collection, entering, checking, backing up, etc.). There is also opportunity to work within a project that requires filming in one of the therapeutic classrooms, and training in coding and identifying specific social behaviors. As an RA, you must be able to work independently (once fully trained), must be able to communicate via various modalities with the coordinator (e.g., email, notes, etc.), must be organized and thoughtful, and have some basic computer skills. Please note that there is no clinical (i.e., working directly with children and treatment) component to this position. We require 7 hours per week and strongly recommend two consecutive quarters (given the intensive training).
Social Status Study
Faculty Sponsor: Fuligni, Andrew
Department: Psychology/Psychiatry
Contact Name: Danny Rahal
E-mail: danrahal@ucla.edu
Description of Research Project:
Various projects in the lab use different methodologies to assess how perceptions of social status relate to behaviors, physiological responses, and psychological well-being among young adults. Studies involve experimentally assessing how feeling of low status can influence psychological and physiological responses to stress distinctly from objective socioeconomic status; identifying how status relates to emotional responses to test performance in the context of a university course; and studying associations between feeling of low status and being treated of low status relates to substance use.
Description of Student Responsibilities:
Meeting and consenting participants, leading participants through sessions of an experimental protocol, setting up ECG and collecting saliva samples under supervision during lab visits, scheduling text message and tracking participant responses using online software, administering surveys in Qualtrics, cleaning data and writing syntax in SPSS and Stata. Tasks can vary based on student interest.
Evaluating Substance Abuse Treatment Outcomes
Faculty Sponsor: Glasner-Edwards, Suzette
Department: Psychiatry
Contact Name: Suzette Glasner-Edwards
E-mail: sglasner@ucla.edu
Room Number: Integrated Substance Abuse Programs
Phone: 310-267-5206
Website: http://www.uclaisap.org
Description of Research Project:
In a series of clinical research projects, we are (1) developing new psychosocial and pharmacological treatments for substance abusers with concurrent mental illness; and (2) investigating clinical outcomes of patients enrolled in these, and other substance abuse treatment programs throughout California. In conducting these studies, we work closely with a variety of community substance abuse treatment programs in Los Angeles county as well as the California Department of Alcohol and Drug Programs.
Description of Student Responsibilities:
Students will be involved in various aspects of the project, including data collection in substance abusing adults and youth ages 12-20, preparation of materials for submission to Institutional Review Boards of the Human Subjects Protection Committee of UCLA and the California state government, data entry and management, conducting literature searches, performing treatment program site visits, attending weekly staff meetings, scheduling of interviews with treatment providers, providing research support for presentations and papers, and assisting the Principal Investigator and Project Director in maintaining quality control in data collection.. These projects are ongoing and there are opportunities for extended involvement throughout the year.