The UCLA High School Diversity Project
Faculty Sponsor: Juvonen, Jaana
Department: Psychology
Contact Name: Piper Harris
E-mail: piperharris@ucla.edu
Room Number: 2322 Franz Hall
Description of Research Project:
The purpose of this research is to test a set of interrelated hypotheses about the psychosocial benefits of racial/ethnic diversity in urban middle schools and high schools. It is hypothesized that greater diversity can benefit students' mental health, intergroup attitudes, and school adaptation via three mechanisms: (1) decreases in perceived vulnerability, (2) the formation and maintenance of cross-ethnic friendships; and (3) the development of complex social identities. These hypotheses will be examined in a longitudinal study of approximately 6,000 6th grade students as they enter one of the 26 urban middle schools in southern California.
Description of Student Responsibilities:
We are looking for a team of diverse students who can commit to 8 hrs/week. The main responsibility will be to collect psychosocial, behavioral, and academic data from ethnically diverse middle school students in Los Angeles area public schools. Other tasks include preparation for data collection, subject recruitment and retention, and data entry. Please contact the Project Manager if interested.
Optimizing Social and Communication Outcomes for Children with Autism
Faculty Sponsor: Kasari, Connie
Department: Education
Contact Name: Amanda Gulsrud
E-mail: AGulsrud@mednet.ucla.edu
Room Number: NPI&H 78-239
Phone: 310-206-1268
Description of Research Project:
Two different research projects are currently being conducted. The first project is a school-based social skills intervention study targeting children with autism in first- fifth grades. This is a randomized intervention trial examining the effectiveness of several different social skill intervention models for elementary school-aged children with autism. The second project examines caregiver-mediated interventions targeting social and communication outcomes for toddlers with autism.
Description of Student Responsibilities:
Both research positions consist of coding behavioral observations and date entry. The student may also observe and learn about assessments during the intervention visits.
Adaptive Learning: Teaching with Computers
Faculty Sponsor: Kellman, Philip
Department: Psychology
Contact Name: Everett Mettler
E-mail: mettler@ucla.edu
Room Number: 7574 and 2349
Phone: 310-825-4202
Website: http://kellmanlab.psych.ucla.edu
Description of Research Project:
Computer-based learning activities offer great potential to adapt the flow of learning events to optimize progress for each individual. Can adaptive learning algorithms that dynamically sequence learning items result in improved efficiency for factual learning and pattern recognition? The current study is concerned with basic research in adaptive learning and will examine if adaptive sequencing based on accuracy, speed, and retirement criteria, produce learning outcomes superior to traditional classroom methods.
Description of Student Responsibilities:
Research assistants would help in the collection of data by grading assessments, data entry, and general office work for at least 5 hours per week and will have the opportunity to participate in all aspects of research, including literature search, study design, experimental design, and data analysis. Experience with programming is a plus, but not required. Psych 120A&B are highly recommended.
Perceptual Learning: Teaching with Computers
Faculty Sponsor: Kellman, Philip J.
Department: Psychology - Cognitive Science
Contact Name: Everett Mettler
E-mail: mettler@ucla.edu
Room Number: 7574 and 2349
Phone: 310/825-4202
Website: http://kellmanlab.psych.ucla.edu
Description of Research Project:
How do learners get better at searching, organizing and interpreting their visual world? Do the same processes that underlie perception of movement in sport, discovery in art, facility with puzzles and other forms of visual expertise also underly such practical skills as fluency in mathematics or proficiency in medical diagnosis? The current study is concerned with basic research in perceptual learning and object recognition. In addition we attempt to isolate and train visual skills using computer software that dynamically adapts to a learner's mental state.
Description of Student Responsibilities:
Research assistants would help in the collection of data by running subjects at least 5 hours per week. Opportunities would be provided for assistants to collaborate in the generation of new experiments, analysis of data, and independent research. Experience with programming is a plus, but not required. Psych 120A&B are highly recommended.
UCLA TIES for Families
Faculty Sponsor: Langley, Audra
Department: Psychiatry and Biobehavioral Sciences
Contact Name: Vanessa Perez
E-mail: VaPerez@mednet.ucla.edu
Phone: 310-825-6110
Website: https://www.uclahealth.org/mattel/ties-for-families/
Description of Research Project:
TIES for Families is an interdisciplinary, university-based program established in 1995 to promote the successful adoption, growth, and development of children with special needs, especially those with prenatal substance exposure who are in foster care. Research assistants will focus on several research projects: 1) UCLA TIES for Families Treatment Outcomes Project: Project testing the efficacy of UCLA TIES for Families intervention services available to children and families, including adoption counseling for new families in transition, individual and family therapy, home-visiting, psychological testing, monthly parental and child support groups, short-term weekly therapy groups for children and teens, parenting skills training, infant mental health, and new parent peer mentoring. 2) ADAPT Research Project: Project testing the efficacy of a manualized psychotherapy intervention aimed at improving outcomes for children adopted from foster care, ages 5-14. 3) UCLA TIES for Adoption Evaluation Qualitative Study: Project investigating the long-term outcomes of children adopted from foster care through qualitative interviews of young adults adopted as children.
Description of Student Responsibilities:
Research assistants will help with data organization, data entry, data collection, and interview coding. Research assistants will also be asked to perform basic administrative tasks such as filing, photocopying, and maintaining databases. No prior research experience is necessary, just a willingness to learn. Requirements: at least a 2-Quarter commitment, attention to detail, independent work skills, and timeliness.
Knowledge Exchange on Evidence-Based Practice Sustainment (4KEEPS) and Translating Evidence-Based Interventions for ASD: A Multi-Level Implementation Strategy (TEAMS) Projects
Faculty Sponsor: Lau, Anna
Department: Psychology
Contact Name: Kenny Le
E-mail: 4keeps@psych.ucla.edu
Room Number: A292
Phone: 310-825-9250
Website: http://4keeps.psych.ucla.edu/
Description of Research Project:
Description of 4KEEPS: 4KEEPS stands for Knowledge Exchange on Evidence-Based Practice Sustainment. This is a two-site (UCLA and UCSD) NIMH-funded project focused on community therapists implementation of multiple evidence-based practices for children’s mental health within a system-driven reform in Los Angeles County. The aims of the new study are to develop a pragmatic quality assessment tool to assess therapist delivery of EBP strategies associated with positive client outcomes. This study is conducted by Drs. Lauren Brookman-Frazee and Anna Lau. Description of TEAMS: TEAMS stands for Translating Evidence-Based Interventions for ASD: A Multi-Level Implementation Strategy. This is a set of two coordinated NIMH-funded studies that will test ways to support community providers in their learning and delivery of treatments for ASD. TEAMS is being carried out in three sites (UCLA, UC Davis, and UCSD). For more information, please visit our website: https://www.teamsasdstudy.org/.
Description of Student Responsibilities:
We anticipate that undergraduates and volunteers will be filling a number of different roles on our team for both projects. Research assistants will have the opportunity to shadow and observe recruitment- and intervention-related workshops in the Los Angeles County. Other tasks include data extraction and entry, preparing study materials, and literature searches. RAs will be provided with graduate school workshops and resources, professional development (e.g., CV workshop, SPSS tutorial), and interactive seminars to develop critical and analytical thinking skills. Interested applicants should email the following documents to Kenny Le, research coordinator, at 4KEEPS@psych.ucla.edu: brief cover letter stating your goals/interests in psychology, resume/CV, and an academic transcript (can be unofficial).
Mathematical and Statistical Cognition
Faculty Sponsor: Liu, Zili
Department: Psychology
Contact Name: Lucy Cui
E-mail: lucy.cui@ucla.edu
Description of Research Project:
Mathematics and Statistics are topics that many students struggle to learn. We hope to better understand how students process mathematical structure and map between representations, and how they represent and process statistical information both visually and conceptually.
Description of Student Responsibilities:
Research assistants will help with data collection by running participants through experiments and will help pilot-test those experiments. Opportunities will be available to get involved in data analysis and experiment development/material creation. Having completed psych 100A and 100B is expected and 120A/120B is recommended. Applicants with experience in data analysis (e.g., Excel, SPSS, R) and programming (e.g., python, matlab, javascript) are preferred and will be given priority. Students must be able to commit a minimum of 8 hours a week for a minimum of 2 quarters. If interested, please email Lucy (lucy.cui@ucla.edu) your resume or CV, unofficial transcript, quarter availability and planned graduation date.
Visual Object Recognition
Faculty Sponsor: Liu, Zili
Department: Psychology
Contact Name: Dr. Zili Liu
E-mail: zili@psych.ucla.edu
Room Number: Franz 7619
Phone: 310-267-4683
Description of Research Project:
This National Science Foundation sponsored research investigates how the brain encodes into memory visually perceived scenes and objects (e.g., faces). Counter-intuitive predictions, with promising pilot data, will be tested.
Description of Student Responsibilities:
Responsibilities include scheduling experiments on experimentrix, conducting the experiments, and debriefing the participant after each experiment.
A Computational Investigation of Threatening Actions
Faculty Sponsor: Lu, Hongjing
Department: Psychology
Contact Name: Akila Kadambi
E-mail: akadambi@ucla.edu
Room Number: Franze 7562
Website: http://cvl.psych.ucla.edu/
Description of Research Project:
The present study aims to unveil the computational mechanisms that the human visual and reasoning system employ to perceive threatening actions. We will investigate both the contribution of bottom-up, kinematic information in the perception of threatening actions and the contribution of top-down, contextual information to support complex understanding and reasoning of threatening actions. We will focus on how people interpret actions in novel situations, using both laboratory and real-life stimuli.
Description of Student Responsibilities:
Students will assist in stimuli collection and be familiar with YouTube. Students who have programming ability (e.g., MATLAB, Python, etc) will be preferred. An ability to work during the summer is also preferred. Students will also be involved with data collection and materials preparation. Prior research experience is not necessary, but a strong enthusiasm for research is. 10 hour/week minimum commitment. If interested, please email Akila Kadambi (akadambi@ucla.edu) with your resume/CV and an unofficial transcript. Looking forward to hearing from you!
QRClab: Open Science Practices
Faculty Sponsor: Montoya, Amanda
Department: Psychology
Contact Name: Kathleen Lamarque-Navarrete
E-mail: kathleenlama@g.ucla.edu
Room Number: LSB 5324
Phone: 310-794-5069
Website: http://akmontoya.com/QRClab
Description of Research Project:
We are looking for students to help with a large literature review examining sample size for specific types of statistical models, moderated mediation models. We hope to evaluate whether the samples sizes researchers are currently collecting are sufficient to be well-powered to detect the effects they're looking for. In particular, students will work in a team to pull information from publications and meet weekly with the team and discuss difficult cases. Students will gain experience with reading scientific articles, understanding statistical models, data entry in Excel, and articulating the role of sample size in statistical modeling.
Description of Student Responsibilities:
Research assistants will help with tasks to help examine how specific statistical methods are being used in psychology and other social science fields. Expansion of the research assistant’s tasks will be based on both commitment and interest. There may be opportunities to analyze data, ask your own research question, and/or assist with computer programming tasks. Because of the training involved, we prefer candidates who can commit to working in the lab for at least three quarters. You can read more about the current research projects on the lab webpage: akmontoya.com/QRCLab Day to day tasks will involve coding journal policy pages, working with data in Excel, literature searches, and reading/editing manuscript drafts. Students often come to the lab from a wide range of backgrounds, but the most important qualifications are an eagerness to learn, interest in quantitative psychology, and confidence in your analytical and mathematical skills.
Study of antipsychotic medication adherence in schizophrenia
Faculty Sponsor: Nuechterlein, Keith
Department: Psychology
Contact Name: Kenneth Subotnik, Ph.D.
E-mail: ksubotnik@mednet.ucla.edu
Room Number: 300 Medical Plaza, Room 2240
Phone: (310) 825-0334
Website: http://www.semel.ucla.edu/aftercare
Description of Research Project:
The UCLA Aftercare Research Program has been on the UCLA campus for over two decades, and provides free psychiatric treatment for patients with a recent onset of schizophrenia who participate in the research study. Our longitudinal research program examines whether we can accentuate our efforts to get first break patients back to work to prevent the onset of chronic disability.
Description of Student Responsibilities:
For this SRP position, the student will help to maintain our extensive database on medication adherence among our schizophrenia patients. In addition the student will assist in the review of the literature on medication adherence in schizophrenia and summarize articles related to medication adherence. Students with an interest in schizophrenia and psychopathology research are encouraged to apply. This position is particularly appropriate for undergraduates with a minimum overall GPA of 3.5. Second year students are especially encouraged to apply, but all years will be considered. Must be extremely reliable and dependable (excessive tardiness and absences are NOT acceptable). Must be able to balance competing demands and must be competent in multitasking and adapting to fluctuating priorities. Candidate must be detail-oriented, organized, accurate, and efficient with minimal supervision. Candidate must have excellent oral and written English communications skills. Ability to understand issues of patient confidentiality and safety is required. Proficiency in the use of standard PC office equipment and standard PC software (i.e. MS Office, Word, Excel, Internet searching) is also required. Must have excellent interpersonal skills and demonstrate appropriate interpersonal boundaries with patients and staff and be able to work in a shared workspace with a diverse team of mental health professionals. Some experience in library literature reviews, use of pubmed on UCLA library website, some experience in reading and summarizing psychology research articles. Experience in the use of SPSS is preferred. Sophomore applicants preferred so that they can potentially stay for multiple years. Documents to Submit: Resume, Cover Letter, Unofficial Transcript, Writing Sample Send materials to: ksubotnik@mednet.ucla.edu Document Submission notes: Please name each file with the following format (in the following example, the applicant’s name is “Jane Doe”, The content is “Resume”, and date (e.g., Jane Doe Resume 9-1-2017). Other documents should use a similar file naming format. Writing sample can be a term paper for college level class, preferably one with a literature review included.
Study of social cognition and attention in schizophrenia patients: Data tracking and entry
Faculty Sponsor: Nuechterlein, Keith
Department: Psychology
Contact Name: Kenneth Subotnik
E-mail: ksubotnik@mednet.ucla.edu
Room Number: 300 UCLA Medical Plaza, Room 2240
Phone: (310) 825-0334
Website: http://www.semel.ucla.edu/aftercare
Description of Research Project:
The UCLA Aftercare Research Program has been on the UCLA campus for over two decades, and provides free psychiatric treatment for patients with a recent onset of schizophrenia who participate in the research study. Our longitudinal research program examines whether we can accentuate our efforts to get first break patients back to work to prevent the onset of chronic disability.
Description of Student Responsibilities:
The student will assist the Aftercare Research Program staff with general research/project tasks including: data file management, data entry and data collection, tracking and triggering research measures, and updating the data entry site. Other tasks can include filing, photocopying, faxing, and maintaining an off-site data storage inventory, and assisting the patient coordinator with patient file maintenance and errands. Students with an interest in schizophrenia and psychopathology research are encouraged to apply. This position is particularly appropriate for undergraduates with a minimum overall GPA of 3.5. Second or third year students are especially encouraged to apply, but all years will be considered. Must be extremely reliable and dependable (excessive tardiness and absences are NOT acceptable). Must be able to balance competing demands and must be competent in multitasking and adapting to fluctuating priorities. Candidate must be detail-oriented, organized, accurate, and efficient with minimal supervision. Candidate must have excellent oral and written English communications skills. Ability to understand issues of patient confidentiality and safety is required. Proficiency in the use of standard PC office equipment and standard PC software (i.e. MS Office, Word, Excel, Internet searching) is also required. Must have excellent interpersonal skills and demonstrate appropriate interpersonal boundaries with patients and staff and be able to work in a shared workspace with a diverse team of mental health professionals.
Factors influencing Classroom Learning
Faculty Sponsor: Paquette-Smith, Melissa
Department: Psychology
Contact Name: Melissa Paquette-Smith
E-mail: paquettesmith@psych.ucla.edu
Website: https://tlclab.psych.ucla.edu/
Description of Research Project:
This project assesses how different aspects of the learning environment (e.g., the presentation and timing of stimuli, instructions on how to study materials) impact aspects of learning, memory and metacognition. We are also interested in how the individual characteristics of the learner (e.g., working memory, language background) or the individual characteristics of the teacher may influence learning and memory.
Description of Student Responsibilities:
Student responsibilities include data entry and organization, review of the literature, scheduling and running participants online. No prior experience is necessary. Familiarity with statistical software (e.g., R or SPSS) is an asset.
Social Perception and the Brain
Faculty Sponsor: Parkinson, Carolyn
Department: Psychology
Contact Name: Karina Lopez
E-mail: karinalopez@g.ucla.edu
Room Number: 3319 Franz Hall
Website: http://csnlab.org
Description of Research Project:
Our social neuroscience lab studies how the human brain represents and navigates the social world. This research combines approaches from cognitive neuroscience, social network analysis, and social psychology to address questions like: How do our brains track and encode information about the structure of our social networks? How are our thoughts and actions influenced by the social networks we inhabit? How does the brain encode different kinds of distance from the self (e.g., distance in time, space, and social ties), and how does the encoding of this information interact with other mental processes? To address these and other questions, we use a combination of behavioral experimentation, social network analysis, and neuroimaging techniques.
Description of Student Responsibilities:
We are seeking enthusiastic, organized and independent students interested in getting first-hand exposure to research. Students will have the opportunity to be involved in multiple aspects of the research process, with the scope of each student’s responsibility increasing over time. Possible responsibilities include corresponding with and running participants, basic experimental design, generating experimental stimuli, developing and implementing participant recruitment strategies, literature reviews, data entry, coding data, and participating in lab group discussions. Excellent, exceptionally motivated students may also have the opportunity to get involved with fMRI research and data analysis. Students are asked to commit a minimum of 2 quarters. Interested students should email Karina Lopez at karinalopez@g.ucla.edu with your CV/resume, unofficial academic transcript and a brief statement summarizing your research interests and academic goals.
UCLA Child, OCD, Anxiety, and Tic Disorders Program
Faculty Sponsor: Peris, Tara
Department: Psychiatry
Contact Name: Tara Peris
E-mail: tperis@mednet.ucla.edu
Description of Research Project:
Are you interested in kids and families? Would you like to learn more about how anxiety and depression affect the body at a biological level? There are several 196 opportunities available in the UCLA Child OCD, Anxiety, and Tic Disorders Program for students with these interests. These are great training experiences for anyone interested in biological aspects of youth mental health. Currently, we have multiple studies that measure stress responding in children and adolescents (and sometimes their parents). Research assistants will be involved in data collection from kids and families and in monitoring and processing data. An interest in working with families and learning about methods for collecting and analyzing psychophysiological data is a must.
Description of Student Responsibilities:
Your primary responsibilities include assisting with the processing of electrocardiographic and electrodermal data, data collection procedures, calling participants, answering questions, data entry, administrative support, and attendance at weekly supervision meetings. This is a great opportunity to gain research experience for graduate school and learning about clinical research. Please note you will not be involved in patient care.
Early Identification of Childhood Anxiety
Faculty Sponsor: Piacentini, John, Ph.D., ABPP
Department: UCLA Semel Institute for Neuroscience & Human Behavior
Contact Name: Kate Sheehan, LCSW
E-mail: ksheehan@mednet.ucla.edu
Website: http://carescenter.ucla.edu
Description of Research Project:
A public awareness campaign and community-based education targeting destigmatization, early identification, and evidence-based intervention for clinical and subclinical childhood anxiety.
Description of Student Responsibilities:
Student will conduct research literature searches, consolidate and report best evidence-based practices, and disseminate pertinent information to educate the community (via social media). This position provides challenging opportunities to translate scientific and clinical findings to be applicable to different audiences, including clinical (e.g., clinicians, pediatricians) and non-clinical (e.g., teachers, parents, children, teens) groups.
Topics in Coping and Well-being
Faculty Sponsor: Stanton, Annette
Department: Psychology
Contact Name: Jacqueline Kim, PhD
E-mail: jhjkim@psych.ucla.edu
Description of Research Project:
This assistantship involves examining various topics in coping, mental health, and physical health, particularly of those experiencing chronic adversity. Some of the focus is cross-cultural and aimed at better understanding the influence of collectivist cultural backgrounds (esp. Asian-heritage). Outcomes of interest include self-reported internalizing and somatic symptoms. Topics the research assistant may be assigned to work on include: • Culturally relevant supportive care needs in cancer • Symptom experience and mental health/health service use • Use of approach- and avoidance-oriented coping strategies and internalizing symptoms • Prospective associations between internalizing and somatic symptoms • Coping via writing and its relationship to well-being.
Description of Student Responsibilities:
Students’ primary responsibilities will be to conduct literature reviews, and engage in discussions about study recruitment, and assist with all research-related tasks. Data management will be assigned as needed. Topic assignments will depend on research needs, tailoring to student interest when possible. Depending on prior statistical background and project need, students may assist with data analyses. Given data availability and student initiative, students will be encouraged to work on research conference proposals. *Qualifications of Student: Some familiarity with literature reviews and able to critically analyze academic journal articles. Student must be detail-oriented, conscientious, accountable, and communicate clearly in a timely fashion. It will be helpful to know if the student has experience using Zotero/Mendeley, Qualtrics, or statistical software but this is not a requirement. Currently limited to students who are bilingual and fluent (reading, writing, speaking) in Korean, Vietnamese, Chinese (Cantonese/Mandarin). *Time Commitment Requested: Minimum 2 quarters, but longer commitment preferred (can continue as a volunteer after 1 quarter). 6-10 hours/week, including supervision/meetings as needed. *Dates of Project: Present - Summer 2022.
Understanding Statistics Teaching and Learning
Faculty Sponsor: Stigler, Jim
Department: Psychology
Contact Name: Jim Stigler
E-mail: stigler@psych.ucla.edu
Phone: 3102069494
Description of Research Project:
Improve statistics teaching and learning by understanding course data, identifying student trajectories, and testing different approaches to integrating R and statistics
Description of Student Responsibilities:
Sorting, cleaning and coding data. Also providing student feedback on educational research materials. There are weekly mandatory meetings in order to discuss challenges and insight with the process. There were will be a written report for proof of work completed.
Caribbean Children’s Views of their Socioeconomic Rights & Inequality
Faculty Sponsor: Suárez-Orozco, Carola
Department: Education - Human Development & Psychology
Contact Name: Juliana Karras-Jean Gilles
E-mail: jkarrasjeangilles@gseis.ucla.edu
Room Number: Moore Hall 1033C
Phone: 3102063579
Website: http://ige.gseis.ucla.edu/
Description of Research Project:
We are examining how 12-18 year olds living in Barbados, Jamaica, and Trinidad and Tobago understand their socioeconomic rights and inequality through semi-structured interview and narrative vignettes. Using a mixed-methods approach we will engage in qualitative and quantitative analytical coding. Findings will address gaps in research and be applied to improve social policy.
Description of Student Responsibilities:
Participation in audio transcription, qualitative analysis, quantitative analysis, and mixed-methods analysis. -Direct, hands on experience in mixed-methods research -In-depth training on qualitative transcription techniques -Methodological training & support for learning coding software -Research experience for Academic Credit (1-2 units) -Individualized support and mentorship to promote students’ personal and professional development and network- -Guided exploration of the following topics: children’s human rights, socioeconomic rights & inequality, critical consciousness
Anxiety and Substance Use Disorder Treatment
Faculty Sponsor: Taylor, Kate
Department: Psychiatry and Biobehavioral Sciences
Contact Name: Kate Taylor
E-mail: kbtaylor@mednet.ucla.edu
Room Number: Integrated Substance Abuse Programs
Description of Research Project:
There are two research projects being conducted concurrently that are recruiting undergraduate psychology students to get 196A credit. The first is a randomized clinical trial comparing standard treatment for substance use disorders at a community addictions treatment clinic to a new treatment that integrates cognitive behavioral therapy for social anxiety disorder and alcohol use disorder. Individuals with social anxiety and alcohol use disorders are being recruited for participation. This study includes self-report and behavioral outcomes. The second study is a randomized clinical trial comparing standard substance use disorder cognitive behavioral therapy to a new behavioral intervention targeting maladaptive responding to negative affect among young adults with cannabis use disorder. Participants aged 18-25 with cannabis use disorder, elevated negative affect, and difficulty managing their negative affect will be recruited. This study includes self-report, behavioral, objective, and fMRI outcomes.
Description of Student Responsibilities:
Psychology students will have the opportunity to get hands-on experience with real-world clinical trials. Students will be responsible for assisting with behavioral/laboratory tasks, coordinating, tracking, and scheduling participants, managing audio and video recordings of therapy and assessment sessions, data entry, and administrative/clerical responsibilities. Students will have the opportunity to shadow research staff during assessments and group therapy.