Caroline Ostrand and Mathi Manavalan Present at the National Conference on Undergraduate Research

Caroline Ostrand and Mathi Manavalan presented the poster “Demystifying Undergraduate Research: Evidence from a Pathways Program to Increase Research Accessibility” at the Council on Undergraduate Research Annual Conference. This conference promotes undergraduate research, scholarship, and creative activities. 

Ostrand and Mathi were Teaching Assistants for the Pathways to Undergraduate Research Program since its inception a couple of years ago, which is how they got involved and presented this work.

Ostrand explains that "this poster presentation will report on the development, successes, and lessons of an initiative from the University of Minnesota’s Psychology Department called Pathways to Undergraduate Research. The primary aim of this program is to support individuals who hold identities or come from historically underrepresented backgrounds in gaining access to conducting research as an undergraduate. In our poster, we will summarize how this program was started and how direct support to marginalized students enhances their ability to participate and succeed in research. With data from three school semesters, we will demonstrate the utility of providing logistical, material, and interpersonal support to students."

Caroline Ostrand and Mathi Manavalan, doctoral student advised by Monica Luciana in the Department of Psychology at the University of Minnesota.

Composed by Madison Stromberg, communications assistant.