Day 2 - June 25

Speakers & Panelists

At-A-Glance:

10:15am - 11am Round 1 of Concurrent Sessions*

11:15am - 12pm Round 2 of Concurrent Sessions*

1pm - 2pm Workshop: Introduction to Informational Interviewing & Networking

*SRA attendees can attend 2 of the 3 sessions listed below. Choose between sessions:

Developing Research Questions (Will be presented for both Rounds 1 & 2)
Developing Identities in Science: The Role of Values & Interests (Will be presented for both Rounds 1 & 2)
Panel Discussion: How to Succeed as an Undergraduate Researcher (Note that panelists are different for Rounds 1 & 2 of this panel. Choose the one with panelists that interest you the most. Panelist bios can be found below.)

Concurrent Sessions

Round 1 from 10:15am-11am

Break from 11am-11:15am

Round 2 from 11:15am-12pm

SRA attendees can attend 2 of the 3 sessions listed below. Choose between sessions:

Developing Research Questions (presented for both Rounds 1 & 2)
Developing Identities in Science (presented for both Rounds 1 & 2)
Panel: How to Succeed as an Undergraduate Researcher (Note that panelists are different for Rounds 1 & 2 so choose the one with panelists that interest you the most. Panelist bios can be found below.)

Concurrent Session- Developing Research Questions

When: Round 1: 10:15am - 11am & Round 2: 11:15am - 12pm
Where: Vanport Room, 338

Session Details and Handout:

In this workshop, Dr. Blackwell will give a brief presentation on how to develop research questions.
The talk will lead into a small group activity where students will practice asking questions.
The session will end with a reflection on the group activity.
Developing Research Questions Handout

Presenter: Tory Blackwell, Ph.D. (he/him)

Biology Instructor

Clackamas Community College

Bio: Tory Blackwell teaches biology at Clackamas Community College and currently serves as department chair. His prior research projects have focused on signal transduction pathways and protein localization. Along with his teaching duties, Dr. Blackwell is also an active community member working to ensure his community is welcome to all.

Concurrent Session- Developing Identities in Science: The Role of Values & Interests

When: Round 1: 10:15am - 11am & Round 2: 11:15am - 12pm
Where: Room 327

Session Details:

Participants will be able to define key components of science identities that develop in communities of practice
Participants will be able to name 4 ways that people's positionality informs their participation in the research process (including the initial development of interests, formulation of questions, design and selection of methods, data collection, analysis, and inferences)
Participants will be able to apply ideas about the social context of scientific research to their own personal experiences to further define their own science identities
Developing Identities in Science Slides

Presenter: Karlyn Adams-Wiggins, Ph.D. (They/Them)

Assistant Professor of Applied Developmental Psychology

Black Studies Affiliate Faculty

Portland State University

Bio: Karlyn R. Adams-Wiggins is an associate professor and critical developmental psychologist in the Applied Developmental Psychology program and is also an affiliate of the Black Studies program. Karlyn’s research focuses on two major strands: 1) achievement motivation and science identity in the middle school through college years and 2) a decolonial perspective on Black youths’ development of identities in different contexts. Karlyn also serves as past-president of the Scholarly Consortium for Innovative Psychology in Education (SCIPIE) and was in the 2021 National Academy of Education/Spencer Foundation postdoctoral fellowship cohort.

Concurrent Session- Panel Discussion: How to Succeed as an Undergraduate Researcher

Times: Round 1: 10:15am - 11am & Round 2: 11:15am - 12pm
Location: Smith Ballroom

Panel goals:

to establish early on that successes may look different for each student.
to encourage students to pursue research topics aligned with their passions and values.
to discuss personal and professional interests, and how these can inform research choices
to give students tips/skills needed to become a successful mentee/ researcher

Some topics discussed may include:

- Pursuing research topics that align with personal passions and values
- How personal and professional interests can inform research choices
- Tips for effective communication with your mentor and other research faculty
- Clarifying expectations with your mentor
- Finding the balance between life/school/research

Note: Panelists between Round 1 and Round 2 are different! Attend the round with panelists that interest you the most. Panelist bios can be found below.

Round 1- Panel Discussion: How to Succeed as an Undergraduate Researcher

Time: 10:15am - 11am
Location: Smith Ballroom 3rd Floor

Moderator for Rounds 1 & 2: Alissa Leavitt, MPH, MCHES (she/they)

Principal Investigator for B2B Metro PDX
Health Studies Faculty
Portland Community College

Bio: Alissa Leavitt, MPH, MCHES, is the Bridges to Baccalaureate Coordinator at Portland Community College and an instructor in Health Studies. She holds a Master of Public Health in Health Management and Policy and a Bachelor of Science in Community Health Education from Portland State University, where she also serves as an adjunct professor. Alissa's professional experience includes roles with the Oregon Health Authority, Oregon Health & Science University, and the National Cancer Institute. Her commitment to education is further demonstrated by her post-graduate certificates in Learning Differences & Neurodiversity and in NeuroEducation.

Katherine Zuckerman, M.D., MPH, FAAP (she/her)

Professor, Department of Pediatrics
Oregon Health & Science University

Bio: I am a general pediatrician and health services researcher. In my clinical practice, I provide primary care to children with disabilities and their healthy siblings. My research focuses on health care quality and disparities for children with autism spectrum disorder and other communication disorders in early childhood. I am especially interested in early identification of disabilities in low-income and racial/ethnic minoritized populations, through digital/mobile health, and in primary care and non-medical settings.

Samantha Underwood, M.S., C.C.R.P.

Research Administrator
Department of Surgery at Oregon Health & Science University

Bio: Samantha Underwood is the Department of Surgery Research Administrator with 30 years of experience in clinical, animal, and basic science research. She has been at OHSU for 19 years where she worked with investigators to build their research portfolios and secure funding from the NIH, DoD, foundations, and industry partners. During her time at OHSU, she has mentored PSU students through the BUILD EXITO program, medical students, and residents in research.

Kathi Inman Berens, Ph.D. (she/her)

Assoc. Prof. Book Publishing and Digital Humanities

English Dept.
Portland State University

Bio: I'm a researcher of contemporary book publishing. My latest publications are about Gen Z and millennials' book reading and identity. We've found that there's a distinction between readerly behavior and readerly identity. Surprisingly, people who don't identify as readers actually read more than the general population. Another area is digital humanities: how AI affects creative writing and the book publishing industry.

Round 2- Panel Discussion: How to Succeed as an Undergraduate Researcher

Time: 11:15am - 12pm
Location: Smith Ballroom 3rd Floor

Jennifer Blakeslee, Ph.D., MSW (she/her)

School of Social Work, Associate Professor of Research, and PhD Program Director
Portland State University

Bio: Jennifer Blakeslee conducts research to improve programming and services for young people transitioning from the foster care system, with a particular interest in how support networks and mentoring can help young people maintain mental health. Her current research includes pilot testing a program for youth in foster care which is designed to improve coping and help-seeking, and she works with youth and service providers across the state to develop new strategies to better support young people exiting foster care. Although she now primarily works with doctoral students, she has had many undergraduate research assistants placed in her lab over the years and has seen so many of them go on to do exciting things after graduation.

Olyssa Starry, Ph.D. (she/her)

Associate Professor
University Honors College at Portland State University

Bio: Dr. Starry is an associate professor at PSU where she teaches urban ecology and other related courses in the Honors College. She’s advised numerous honors thesis projects and is also co-PI on an NSF-funded S-STEM scholarship program that supports PSU’s EAGLES (Engagement Achievement and Graduation for Low-incomE Students) scholars to consider research on environmental pollution. Professor Starry studies ecoroofs as model systems for understanding how design and management decisions affect the ecological, social, and political functions of urban open spaces.

Kathi Inman Berens, Ph.D. (she/her)

Assoc. Prof. Book Publishing and Digital Humanities

English Dept.
Portland State University

Workshop: Networking & Informational Interviewing

Time: 1pm - 2pm
Location: Smith Ballroom 3rd Floor

Session Details:

An Overview of Networking and the Informational Interview
Preparation: Identifying Contacts and Outreach
Follow-ups: Thank you notes/emails
Skills Practice: “Speed Networking” activity
Networking & Informational Interviewing Slides

Workshop Presenter: Lainey Sevillano, Ph.D.

Assistant Professor, School of Social Work

Portland State University

Bio: Dr. Sevillano is an Assistant Professor in the PSU School of Social Work. As an interdisciplinary minority health and education researcher, she draws from the fields of social work, education, and ethnic studies to address inequities facing minoritized youth, families, and communities. Dr. Sevillano examines social and cultural determinants of health in minoritized populations, mental health problems, and factors that promote resilience. Her specific interests study how minoritized groups can leverage sources of resilience such as cultural continuity, critical consciousness, and positive identity development.

Updated on: June 13, 2024

Page updated

Report abuse