For Students

Join The GLOW Lab

The GLOW Lab (Guiding Lifelong Opportunities for Wellness in IDD), led by Dr. Alyssa M. Smith at the University of Arizona, welcomes passionate and dedicated students interested in health equity, chronic disease prevention, and integrative health for individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD) and their care partners.

We currently offer opportunities for:

• Undergraduate or graduate independent study credits

• Volunteer research experience

Lab members contribute to ongoing projects, assist with data management, and may have the opportunity to co-author publications or present at conferences as part of The GLOW Lab’s collaborative research community.

Interested in Getting Involved?

Please email alyssamsmith@arizona.edu and include:

• Your resume or CV

• A brief note describing your experience or interest in working with people with IDD or related groups

• Any research experience or relevant coursework

• Your specific interests within The GLOW Lab (e.g., health promotion, qualitative or quantitative research, community engagement, data analysis, etc.)

• Your anticipated time commitment or availability

General Responsibilities

• Participant recruitment and communication

• Literature reviews and reference management

• Data entry and analysis (SPSS, Excel)

• Qualitative transcription and coding

• Supporting manuscripts, conference materials, and presentations

• Bringing ideas! Exploring health and wellness in underserved communities is a community effort!

Preferred Qualifications

• Major or background in psychology, speech-language pathology, special education, public health, or a related discipline

• Strong organization and interpersonal communication skills

• Detail-oriented, dependable, and collaborative

• Willingness to learn and take initiative in a research environment

• Experience with SPSS, REDCap, or qualitative data organization (preferred but not required)

About Our Lab Culture

The GLOW Lab is committed to cultivating an inclusive, supportive, and intellectually curious environment. We value diverse perspectives, community partnerships, and compassion-driven research that promotes health and wellness for all individuals. Our team fosters growth through mentorship, creativity, and collaboration, guiding lifelong opportunities for wellness in IDD.