The Summer Urological Research Experience (SURE), is a great opportunity for students to move beyond the classroom learning experience to gather the knowledge and skills needed to pursue a career founded in the biomedical sciences.  SURE is designed to provide a one of a kind research experience to students in the hope to foster an interest in students in the areas of urological and cancer research. 

The James Buchanan Brady Urological Institute provides a unique opportunity for young scientists to work alongside some of the leading researchers in urology and oncology while utilizing a broad range of techniques and methodologies. The Department has the unique ability of providing young researchers with a chance to see how research done at the bench can be translated into patient care.

In addition to the vast amount of research experience that will be gained during the 10 week program, students will be given numerous opportunities to attend lectures and seminars given by the University's and the  Department's numerous gifted faculty that will prepare them for the paradigms, problems, and technologies in biomedical research. 

I also work as a desk staffer at Potomac Hall on the UMBC Campus.

Read more about Abigail's research by clicking the link below:

Researchers have shown that video game distraction via virtual reality (VR) technology can be used to provide distraction from a stimulus that causes mild discomfort. The continued research in VR distraction is critical for young patients in hematology-oncology clinics, as they must endure repeated uncomfortable medical procedures. The findings of this research are intended to benefit this population specifically. To the best of my knowledge, there is no guide in the literature on how long you need to train people before video-game distraction becomes an effective pain-reduction tool. This study is aimed to fill this gap in the literature by examining the difference between practicing for two to three minutes before playing a video game and practicing for 20 to 30 minutes before playing a video game before using the video game as a distraction during exposure to uncomfortably cold water. This study will: (1) test the effectiveness of video games as a distraction for acute pain management, and (2) evaluate the impact of training intensity on the video games’ ffectiveness as a distracter for acute cold-pressor pain.

I took a psychology course during my freshman year with my current mentor. I enjoyed the class and wanted to do research in a psychology lab. After talking with her, I started working in her Pediatric Psychology Lab during Summer 2010.

I have really enjoyed working in this lab during the past three summers, when we typically run participants in the virtual reality distraction study. Because of this, I have been interested in video game distraction as a project. I love the application of this study; using research to determine the best method for distracting kids in hospitals from their painful medical procedures is a great way to help the general public and local communities.

Yes.

Yes, I’m taking PSYC 398 for course credit.

It is important to put a lot of care and dedication into a project of this nature because the success of the project is dependent on the development of the methodology and how to complete data collection. When the protocol is complete, I will be in the lab collecting data for the participants, which will typically be about 10-15 hours per week. Data collection will be from approximately September 2012 until January 2012.

A few of my friends have applied and earned URA awards for their research projects. Because of how helpful the program was for their research, they suggested that I apply and learn more about this program.

I was a Junior at UMBC, earning a B.S.degree in Psychology. I had taken my core requirements within my department in order to be able to complete an independent project and understand how to do the statistical analyses for my data.

My mentor helped me highlight the strengths of my project and be able to convey the effectiveness of my research skills in the application. Because of my experience in her lab, she was able to help see the most important rationales for doing this project and how this experiment is beneficial to the literature on distraction and pain.

I have been a part of the Residential Life community on campus, specifically working as a Resident Assistant (RA) for the past two and a half years. I’ve also been a supplemental instruction (SI Leader) in the math department, helping tutor weekly sessions of pre-calculus for students.

Get as much experience with research as possible. Talk with your professors and ask them about what they do in their lab. Getting involved is the best way to figure out what type of research you might want to do in the future.

I will be applying to Clinical Ph.D programs this fall. I plan on doing research on the ritualistic tendencies of eating disorders and OCD. Following a program of this nature, I would like to work in academia and do research with patients in local hospitals and community centers.

Read more about Megan's research by clicking the link below: