Undergraduate Research Assistant: Brain Health & Physical Activity Intervention (SITLess4Brain Lab)
Join our mission to fight sedentary lifestyles and boost brain health!
The SITLess4Brain Lab (led by Dr. Dominika Pindus) investigates how breaking up long sitting periods with physical activity improves brain function, memory, and cognition across adulthood. Our NIH-funded clinical trial tests how light vs. vigorous activity breaks impact the brain—using EEG, cognitive tasks, and movement tracking.
Why You Should Apply:
✅Make an impact: Help address a critical public health issue—50% of U.S. adults sit >9.5 hours/day, raising risks for dementia and heart disease.
✅Gain high-value skills: Get trained in data collection using EEG brain imaging, neuropsychological testing, intervention delivery, accelerometer data, and clinical research methods.
✅Boost your resume: Contribute to an NIH-funded trial (National Institute on Aging), and other ongoing opportunities for co-authorship and conference presentations.
✅Relevant experience: Ideal for students in Kinesiology, Neuroscience, Psychology, Biology, Computer Science/Computer Engineering, or Public Health pursuing careers in research, healthcare, wearable technologies, or rehab sciences.
Your Role:
As a Research Assistant, you will:
- Assist in recruiting/screening participants (health history, cognitive tests).
- Assist with collecting EEG data; administer computerized cognitive tasks.
- Deliver physical activity interventions (vital signs monitoring included).
- Use movement sensors (accelerometers) to track activity in daily life.
- Help analyze and visualize data for publications/presentations.
Logistics:
- Time commitment: 9 hours/week (in-person)
- Credits: 3 research credits per semester
- Start date:May 2026 (training provided)
- Semester commitment:Minimum two semesters
- Lab website: Launching Soon!
We’re Seeking Motivated Undergraduates Who Are:
- Responsible, detail-oriented, and passionate about health science.
- Interested in brain function, physical activity, or aging research.
- Comfortable interacting with middle-aged/older adult participants.
- No prior lab experience required—we train you!
Apply Now!
Help us discover how movement transforms brain health while gaining hands-on research skills. Submit your application via https://forms.gle/XEZBt5thZp9NJko3A
Lab Name: SITLess4Brain Lab
Contact: Dr. Colt Coffman (ccoffman@umass.edu), and Dr. Pindus (dpindus@umaas.edu)
Why You Should Apply:
✅Make an impact: Help address a critical public health issue—50% of U.S. adults sit >9.5 hours/day, raising risks for dementia and heart disease.
✅Gain high-value skills: Get trained in data collection using EEG brain imaging, neuropsychological testing, intervention delivery, accelerometer data, and clinical research methods.
✅Boost your resume: Contribute to an NIH-funded trial (National Institute on Aging), and other ongoing opportunities for co-authorship and conference presentations.
✅Relevant experience: Ideal for students in Kinesiology, Neuroscience, Psychology, Biology, Computer Science/Computer Engineering, or Public Health pursuing careers in research, healthcare, wearable technologies, or rehab sciences.