Current Research Assistants

Isabella Weiss – Lab Manager, Junior, Psychology Major

“Working in the Alcohol Research Lab has been a highlight of my time at UB. I appreciate my psychology classes for what they have taught me, but nothing is better than the hands on learning I have gotten through this lab. I have learned valuable lessons in clinical research that I would not have been able to learn about anywhere else and received mentorship from graduate/postdoc students that I will carry over into my own career. If you are considering going into research in your future career, I would highly recommend working in the Alcohol Research Lab.”

Matthew Mansour – Senior, Psychology Major

“Working in Dr. Jennifer Read’s alcohol research lab at SUNY University at Buffalo was a formative experience that deepened my understanding of both the research process and the human impact behind data. I had the opportunity to engage with studies that examined patterns of alcohol use, its psychological and behavioral correlates, and the ways in which individual and environmental factors shape risk.

Beyond technical skills such as data collection, participant recruitment, and survey management, what stood out most was the collaborative environment. I observed how graduate students, research assistants, and faculty worked together to address sensitive topics with care.

This experience reinforced my motivation to pursue medicine and research with a focus on prevention, intervention, and the broader social factors that affect health. It showed me how careful, systematic investigation can contribute to interventions that ultimately improve people’s lives.”

Logan Wulf – Junior, Psychology Major; Cultural Anthropology Minor; Counseling Minor

“Being part of the Alcohol Research Lab has been a truly invaluable experience. As an aspiring counselor, it has been eye-opening to learn about and participate in the research that supports clinical interventions and real-world change. I’ve especially enjoyed diving into academic work through article reviews and lab meetings, deepening my understanding of the field and helping me grow intellectually. The support I’ve received from fellow research assistants and graduate students has also been incredible. They’ve played a key role in shaping my professional development, helping me define my passions and career goals.”

Past RAs

Yoon Park – Past Lab Manager, Psychology and Health & Human Sciences: Community Mental Health Major; Counseling Minor

“Working at the Alcohol Research Lab as a research assistant has been a greatly insightful experience. I was able to get a deeper understanding of the research process and working with scientific data. With the diverse experience under my belt and with the wonderful people I have met, it opened my eyes to new opportunities and future career routes. It has been a privilege to work with wonderful people on exciting projects.”

Joe Cook – Past RA, Psychology and and Gender and Sexuality Studies Major

“Working as a research assistant in the Alcohol Research Laboratory has helped to augment many of my academic and career goals, while providing me invaluable experience designing and carrying out my own research study for the Psychology Honors Program under the direction of Dr. Read. Additionally, I’ve had the opportunity to work on multiple federally funded studies during my relatively short time in the lab. Upon entering the lab, I was somewhat unsure of what I would do upon obtaining my degree (I knew graduate school was always on the table but didn’t know much else). With the thoughtful guidance of the lab staff and the PhD students, I am now more driven than ever to pursue my goal of becoming a clinical psychologist..”

Why be a Research Assistant?

Being a research assistant is a great hands on approach to learning more about the field of Psychology. You are able to work with other undergraduate students as well as have the opportunity to work with graduate students who are pursing degrees in this field and also serve as mentors who are willing to help undergraduate students considering getting a degree in the Psychology Field. Being a research assistant also helps students build connections for references by having the opportunity to work closely with a professor and their research.

Research assistants, even if not studying Psychology, learn valuable skills such as learning to work on a team, public speaking, as well as many other useful tools to help in future endeavors.

What do Research Assistants do?

Collect data through running experimental sessions
Enter data in spreadsheets
Screen participants for experiment eligibility
Attend weekly lab meetings
Attend lab for a minimum of 8 hours a week.

Interested in being a Research Assistant? Submit an application (PDF) to Dylan Vlaovich.