Alumni Interviews

What year did you graduate from Spackenkill High School?

2023

What was your science research project on?

My science research project focused on trends and patterns in perceptions of US Race Relations with a particular focus on how White American adults perceive the concept of Anti-White Bias.

Who was your mentor?

Dr. Kimery Levering at Marist University (Department of Psychology)

What institution are you currently enrolled in and what’s your major?

I am majoring in Economics-Statistics and minoring in Political Science at Barnard College, Columbia University.

How has science research impacted your life?

Science Research solidified my dedication to using research as a tool in conversations about social justice and understanding cultural nuances in our tumultuous political landscape.

What did science research teach you that is different from your other classes?

Science Research taught me that the outcome of a task, project, or goal will truly represent how much work and dedication was put into it. It has built a solid work ethic and go-getter mindset which helped to overcome the fear of cold-emailing, approaching difficult statistical concepts and public speaking during presentations. Science Research truly made me a better student, in my work ethic, a better speaker, in my ability to communicate complicated concepts to broad audiences, and a better person in how it gave me the tools to succeed in discussing social issues in potentially intimidating environments.

How has science research helped shape your broader life goals?

Science Research solidified my dedication using analytical research as a tool to, not only understand why societal outcomes exist as they do, but to do so through quantitative analysis allows for clear unbiased data to show through cultural norms. Research is powerful and meant to be indisputable. Whether it be trends in death tolls or trends in outcomes of higher education, it prevents us from glossing over historical trends playing out. Particularly in America where the ability and opportunity to conduct any research has become vulnerable, it has grown increasingly important to understand how and why gaps in societal outcomes such as wealth gaps and opportunity gaps exist in an effort to protect the implementation of policies that are designed to close these gaps. I truly hope and believe that we turn to research and to visualize these patterns and comprehend their causes instead of heated unproductive debates. The ability to use research as a tool to mitigate inequality in America and the greater global community is a goal to which I hope to dedicate my life.

Soumya's High School Research