Aya C
- Research Program Mentor
PhD candidate at Virginia Commonwealth University
Expertise
Anything in the realm of Psychology
Bio
I am currently a PhD student. In the nascent stages of my psychology career, my focus gravitated towards behavioral neuroscience, particularly delving into the intricacies of the corticotropin-releasing factor receptor type-1. This exploration culminated in a noteworthy publication authored by Guzman, Jacobskind, Rosinger, Rybka, Caballero, Sturm, Sharif, Abbas, Justice, and Zuloaga, delving into the fluctuations of corticotropin-releasing factor receptor type 1 levels vis-à-vis alterations in anxiety-like behaviors at distinct intervals during the postpartum period. Embarking on my master's journey, I chose to specialize in a diverse array of disciplines, encompassing developmental and cognitive psychology, linguistics, communication sciences, and disorders. The focal point of my master's thesis centered on unraveling the intricacies of Parents’ Question Styles and their functional role in children, comparing those with and without Autism. This academic pursuit catalyzed the deep-seated passion I developed for the multifaceted landscape of black child development and the imperativeness of fostering diversity and inclusion. This passion found expression in my immersive study abroad experience at NYU Accra, where I delved into the complexities of cultural responsiveness. An outcome of this endeavor was my participation in presenting at the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association conference, shedding light on Culturally Responsive Practices in Ghana and undertaking an interprofessional exploration of education and healthcare delivery. In the realm of my research pursuits, I aspire to emerge as a stalwart advocate for marginalized populations within the domain of mental health, championing the cause of those who lack the agency to advocate for themselves. I love to go out to eat and try new foods and travel. I love to experience new things and activities. I have been to several places around the world and only aspire to see more of the world as life goes on. Also as a fun fact I am Syrian and Jamaican!Project ideas
What is the effect of noise distraction on test scores?
Essentially testing students' abilities to excel in a noisy enviornment. This will be done by designing a research experiment and completing a research project. In this project, you will design a research project that can be completed at home, gather data, and present that data as either a scientific poster or talk. You will learn about the scientific process, how to construct appropriate figures for your data, and how to communicate your results in a formal presentation.
Does color enhance memory?
Essentially testing to see if different colors elicit a different kind of memory response. This will be done by designing a research experiment and completing a research project. In this project, you will design a research project that can be completed at home, gather data, and present that data as either a scientific poster or talk. You will learn about the scientific process, how to construct appropriate figures for your data, and how to communicate your results in a formal presentation.
Writing a scientific review of a topic of your choice
In this project you will write a scientific review-style paper on a topic of your choice. This process will teach you how to find, access, and critically analyze existing scientific literature and how to assemble primary literature into a scientific review. You will gain skills in writing and editing, as well as an in-depth knowledge of your chosen research topic.
Writing a grant proposal
In this project, we will put together a grant proposal to ask for research funding on a topic of your choice.
