What does Dr. Margherio look for in a graduate student?

Dr. Margherio welcomes students from a range of educational and personal backgrounds to apply. The Teen Lab may be a good fit for individuals who:

• have strong research interests related to:

  • ADHD

  • substance use

  • school-based interventions

  • adolescents

• are enthusiastic about community outreach

• are flexible and driven

• are open to new experiences, ideas, and world views

• possess self-awareness of their strengths and areas where additional mentorship is needed

Additional skills and experiences that, though not required, will be viewed favorably include:

• experience with study coordination

• qualitative data collection and analysis experience

• real-world experience working in community spaces

• tolerance for a lot of talk about Dr. Margherio's dog 

What is Dr. Margherio's mentoring style?

As a first generation college student herself, Dr. Margherio grew under the mentorship of those prioritizing "cura personalis," or care for the whole person. She strives to embody this approach in her own mentoring style by creating a lab culture that cares about one another's well-being, seeks to understand one another's culture and world view, and instills skills to problem-solve and surmount the many challenges that may arise through the education journey.

She takes a developmental approach to mentoring with supportive scaffolding as she learns about the mentee's strengths and areas of growth, such as with weekly meetings, progress tracking, and shared documentation. As skills progress, the scaffolding is loosened, although she maintains regular meetings and an open-door policy for all her students.

What opportunities are there to get involved in research collaborations with other labs? 

The Teen Lab is located within the Clinical Science Suite in which several other child-focused labs are housed. The physical location of the lab in proximity to others speaks to the prioritization of collaboration among faculty and students within the Clinical Science program. It is allowed and encouraged for students to be involved in other labs that fit their research goals, provided they have received support from both faculty members and can effectively manage the demands of cross-lab involvement.

In addition, Dr. Margherio has a network of collaborators outside of Virginia Tech and would facilitate collaborations with students who are excelling in their research endeavors.

What types of statistical consultation are available on campus? 

Dr. Margherio is able to support students conducting a variety of statistical analyses (e.g., regression, SEM, cost analyses, meta-analyses) and will share her books, videos, and resources to promote self-guided learning for students. 

In addition, Virginia Tech offers SAIG, a walk-in statistical consulting service on campus. 

To what extent can my interests as a student be incorporated into the broader interests of your lab? 

Students will be best suited to the lab if their primary research interests align with those of Dr. Margherio, including interests in ADHD, substance use, and school-based interventions. The beauty of research is that it often opens us up to new questions and research paths! Dr. Margherio will support such ideas to the best of her abilities, which may include adding measures to existing studies, connecting the student to fellow Virginia Tech faculty who share the interest, or identifying accessible data bases that may address the question (e.g., the Adolescent Brain Cognitive Development Study). 

What are the expectations for an undergraduate research assistant?

Undergraduate research assistants will be expected to commit 3 hours per week per research credit hour, with a preference for 6 hours or 2 credit hours. In this role, research assistants will: 

• Gain research ethics training

•  Watch and code qualitative interviews with adolescents and their families

• Help recruit community members for research

• Engage in community outreach to promote mental health and substance use prevention

• Have opportunities for research presentations and independent projects if interested

To learn more or apply, please send your resume or curriculum vitae, a copy of your transcript, and a brief statement of interest to Dr. Margherio at smargherio@vt.edu.