Meet the 2023-24 OUR Ambassadors

Alexandria Bedard '24

Major: Psychological Sciences

Minors: Forensic Science; Law & Society

Research Project Experience:

Currently, I work as an undergraduate research assistant in Dr. Christopher Eckhardt’s Clinical Psychology lab which focuses on Alcohol-facilitated Intimate Partner Violence (IPV). I am a lab coordinator for the DISTRESS study which focuses on stress, substance use, and relationship behaviors during and after the COVID-19 pandemic. I am also involved in the Research Focused Honors Program under Dr. Eckhardt. My individual research will focus on how established risk factors for women’s IPV perpetration contribute to numerous sub-types of IPV such as injury, physical aggression, psychological aggression, and sexual coercion. Previously, I worked as an undergraduate research assistant for Dr. Yu-Chin Chiu’s Cognitive Psychology lab which focused on meta-cognition and task-switch paradigm.

Advice for Getting Started in Research:

Be open to different research areas and find out what you are interested in! There is a wide variety of labs that are represented within Purdue. If you aren’t sure where to start, several different resources and events will introduce you to all the opportunities on campus. These can give you a first-hand look at what undergraduate research looks like and can answer any questions you may have.

Jason Packard '25

Major: Chemical Engineering

Research Project Experience:

ViPER Research group which focuses on battery materials/chemistry. My faculty mentor is Dr. Vilas Pol and my graduate mentor is Ethan Adams

Advice for Getting Started in Research:

Don’t be afraid to talk to professors. Emailing and going to a professor's office can be scary, and while something might not come from every meeting, just one of those meetings might be big enough to change your life!

Emily Staub '24

Major: Genetics

Minors: Human Development & Family Sciences

Research Project Experience:

I am currently working in the Relationships and Health Lab under Dr. Rosie Shrout. I also serve as an undergraduate mentor for the Research Accelerated Honors Learning Community.

Advice for Getting Started in Research:

My advice to students thinking about getting into research would be to start by writing down all your interests and think about the labs that you would want to be a part of and where you would thrive. From there, research professors and find a lab that lines up with you!

Ruth Wei '24

Meet with Ruth via BoilerConnect

Major: Biological Sciences

Minors: Psychological Sciences

Research Project Experience:

Molecular Protocols, Dr. Caitlin Proctor

Advice for Getting Started in Research:

Just start now! It's never too late to get into research, but there's no time like the present.