Undergraduate Research Students

Why consider being a research assistant in my lab?

Being a research assistant in the Alcohol Research Lab involves a hands-on approach to learning more about the field of psychology and while contributing to world-class research. Research assistants, even if not studying psychology, learn valuable skills such as learning to work on a team, public speaking, the structure and function of research, as well as many other useful tools to help in future endeavors. In the Alcohol Research Lab, you work with doctoral-level graduate students in clinical psychology who mentor and help undergraduate students interested in learning and pursuing further education in psychology. You also learn from your peers and build friendships while working with other undergraduate students in the lab. These connections help research assistants get references and build a support network by which to grow and strengthen a career in psychology, medicine, or any other field of interest.

What do Research Assistants do?

• Learn about the study of addiction, trauma, and how these two phenomena interact
• Run experimental sessions
• Enter and check data
• Participate in transcribing, coding, and analysis of focus group data
• Conduct structured and semi-structured interviews
• Screen participants for study eligibility
• Attend weekly lab meetings
• Participate in scientific article reviews
• Attend lab hours for 8 hours a week (hours are scheduled flexibly around your commitments).

This experience is ideal for :

• Students interested in learning more about psychology research
• Students interested in going to psychology careers or related fields
• Students interested in connecting with other UB undergraduates
• Great experience for those who want to go to graduate school in psychology or related field.
• Current freshmen, sophomores, or juniors.

How do I get involved in the Alcohol Research Lab?

1. Fill out an application.
2. Submit your application to Dylan Vlaovich (dylanvla@buffalo.edu).