The faculty and staff of the
Developmental Science (Psychology) department at the University of Iowa are
some of the most dedicated, hardworking people I’ve ever met. I’ve had the
opportunity work in multiple research labs under different professors and each
one is unique but so dedicated to helping the students get the most of out
their experience. I started by working with Larissa Samuelson in the Language
and Category Development Lab and that is what sparked my interest in getting my
PhD in Developmental Science. She was an amazing mentor and so supportive of my
goals. I was given a fellowship through the Iowa Center for Research by
Undergrads (or ICRU) and presented posters at two research festivals. I was
given the chance to attend the International Society on Infant Studies’
conference and see similar research in action.
I
currently work under Julie Gros-Louis as her lab manager and have been given so
many opportunities to expand my research palate above and beyond what it
already is. The psychology department offers many opportunities for leadership
building through Psi Chi and the Iowa Student Psychological Association (ISPA).
There are chances to discuss graduate school and the application process with
current graduate students, participation in fundraisers like the yearly walk
with the National Alliance on Mental Illness. The shining point for me has been
the developmental department. You can approach any professor and discuss their
area of interest and get support. They are willing to go above and beyond the
duty of just teaching a class and help you figure out which classes are good to
take, especially if like me, you are interested in pursuing a graduate degree
in developmental science, and give you the experience of research in many
different areas so you can focus in on what you think you may want to study
down the road. I don’t believe that any other school has a department like this
one. I’m blessed to be able to pursue my bachelors degree at the University of
Iowa.
