ViTAL Lab Research Assistant
In the ViTAL Lab we aim to examine the impacts of interpersonal trauma on the health and well-being of young adults and families, especially those from marginalized communities. Ultimately, we hope this research can help us better treat and possibly even prevent the negative effects of trauma. Our primary data collection project for AY 2025-26 is on assessing the impacts of trauma and racism on families of color using a daily diary approach. Additionally, we are coding and transcribing data from several recently completed projects on the impact of trauma on families and Latinas.
One of our principal methodologies is community-based participatory research (CPBR). This approach, which involves engaging various community stakeholders to conduct research that is relevant to the community, is effective in engaging people from diverse backgrounds and combating issues around lack of inclusion in psychological research. A critical component of CBPR is building mutually beneficial partnerships. Given this, undergraduate RAs who work on our team are expected to engage in community outreach and service in the Springfield/Holyoke/Chicopee areas as part of our broader mission and research aims.
Given our current research and outreach with the Latine community, we are especially seeking lab members with bilingual Spanish/English speaking/reading/writing skills. Undergraduate RAs will work individually and in small teams to accomplish different lab tasks, including 1) assisting with participant recruitment and data monitoring; 2) engaging in outreach, both in person and via social media; and 3) conducting data transcription/coding for various ongoing projects. Undergraduate RAs work directly with PhD Students as well as the lab PI.
All RAs are expected to enroll in 2 (6 hours per week) or 3 (9 hours per week) of lab credits. Undergraduate RAs are expected to attend one weekly in-person team meeting (Mondays from 12:15-1:15pm) as well as spend 4-6 hours each week in lab shifts, during which lab tasks are completed (total hours dependent on number of credits). Additional time is used for community engagement and outreach, which typically occurs in late afternoons, evenings, and weekends.
Visit our lab page to learn more about recently completed and ongoing projects.
Essays should address the following questions: 1) What made you interested in joining the ViTAL Lab, 2) What do you hope to gain from being in the ViTAL Lab, and 3) How you think being in the ViTAL Lab will help you achieve/figure out your future career plans. We also ask that all applicants fill out our brief application form here to provide more information about availability and specific skills relevant to our research: https://forms.gle/REqTzSdpDjdiR7N38
Students working in our lab learn more about the impact of trauma and discrimination on marginalized communities. This knowledge is useful across a range of fields, from psychology to social work to medicine. RAs also gain skills in local community engagement as well as science communication. RAs gain organizational and project management skills through assistance with recruitment and data coding. Bilingual students also gain experience with using Spanish in professional settings. There can be opportunities to help with or lead conference presentations and papers; this involves additional work beyond the standard RA workload. Our lab alumni have gone on to work as post-bac researchers and lab managers as well as to graduate programs across a range of fields (social work, public health, medicine, physician assistant, speech language pathology, law).