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.

Logistics:

  • Time commitment: 9 hours/week (in-person)
  • Credits: 3 research credits per semester
  • Start date: September 2026 (training provided)
  • Lab website: Launching Soon!

Apply Now!
Help us discover how movement transforms brain health while gaining hands-on research skills. Submit your application via https://forms.gle/XEZBt5thZp9NJko3A  

Name of research group, project, or lab
SITLess4Brain Lab
Why participate in this opportunity?

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.

Logistics Information:
Field(s) of Study
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Biology
Data Science
Kinesiology
Neuroscience
Psychology
Public Health & Health Sciences
Student ranks applicable
Sophomore
Junior
Senior
Student qualifications

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!
Time commitment
8-10 h/wk
Position Types and Compensation
Credit for Research and Teaching
Number of openings
4
Techniques learned

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.
Project start
September 2026 (training provided)
Contact Information:
Mentors
dpindus@umass.edu
ccoffman@umass.edu
Post-doctoral Research Associate
Name of project director or principal investigator
Dr. Dominika Pindus
Email address of project director or principal investigator
dpindus@umaas.edu
4 sp. | 46 appl.
Time commitment
8-10 h/wk
Field(s) of Study
Biology (+6)
Biochemistry & Molecular BiologyBiologyData ScienceKinesiologyNeurosciencePsychologyPublic Health & Health Sciences