Embracing Curiosity

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Miranda Cochran ('26), a Psychology and Criminology double major, researched the relationship between adverse childhood experiences and emotion recognition accuracy under the mentorship of Dr. Rebecca Waller (Department of Psychology). This research was supported by the College Alumni Society Undergraduate Research Grant.

As a psychology and criminology double major, I am deeply interested in research on the biopsychosocial factors associated with criminality and the development of meaningful interventions. Specifically, my research focuses on adverse childhood experiences (ACEs), which are linked to future criminal behavior. Using data from the Promoting Empathy and Affiliation in Relationships (PEAR) Study, which examines 3-4 year old children, I aimed to determine whether ACEs are related to emotion recognition accuracy at this critical developmental age. This age is particularly important because individual differences in emotion understanding, empathy, and prosocial behavior begin to emerge, offering a window for effective intervention.

Throughout my research experience, I have developed and strengthened various skills. The EDEN Lab provided my first opportunity to interact with participants, allowing me to enhance my communication abilities and learn how to effectively engage with both children and adults in a lab setting. I also gained experience in eye tracking, a skill I plan to use in future experiments, and I became more proficient in R, which will be invaluable as I conduct my own data analyses in the future. Additionally, I learned to manage physiological data, including applying electrodes to participants and ensuring data quality.

My research experience taught me valuable academic skills and fostered meaningful connections, and I encourage others to pursue their passions with curiosity.

Beyond technical skills, I formed meaningful relationships within my lab. I connected with passionate undergraduates who support each other's success, and I received invaluable guidance from graduate students who were eager to discuss my research and future plans. My mentor, Dr. Rebecca Waller, has been exceptional and is genuinely invested in the growth and success of her team. The sense of community and support I found in the lab has been one of the most rewarding aspects of this experience, fostering both my academic and personal growth. Overall, this research experience has been incredibly beneficial, equipping me with skills applicable to both academic and professional settings and allowing me to build genuine relationships within the lab.

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