USU Researchers Pave the Way for Future Scientific Breakthroughs

Student Research Shines: Advancements in Kinesiology, Psychology, and Child Development

Utah State University (USU) is celebrating 50 years of undergraduate research, and students from the Emma Eccles Jones College of Education and Human Services are contributing to this legacy. A few students' research is advancing fields like kinesiology and psychology. Stephen May, an undergraduate student in kinesiology, compared activity monitoring data from a lab setting to free-living data, where participants chose their activities without researcher observation. His study found differences in activity performance between the two settings, with certain activities, like rock climbing or piloting an airplane, only possible in free-living. May presented his findings at USU's Fall Student Research Symposium and will present at the American College of Sports Medicine conference in May 2024.

The USU Office of Research awarded May an Undergraduate Research and Creative Opportunities (URCO) grant to expand his study. May aims to confirm that movement differences between lab and free-living settings are greater than between two lab visits. He also wants to show that free-living data better represents real-world movement, improving validation studies. May proposes that researchers distribute accelerometers globally to gather data from a larger, more diverse sample for future studies.

Kimberly Clevenger, May's mentor and an assistant professor in the Department of Kinesiology, explained that this project could fundamentally change how physical activity is measured. She commended May for his perseverance in seeing the project through all stages, from data collection to securing funding and disseminating results. Hailey Johnson, an undergraduate psychology student and research assistant in the ACT Research Lab, presented her work on misophonia at the Fall Student Research Symposium. Misophonia, a condition causing strong negative reactions to certain sounds such as anger, anxiety, and isolation when exposed to certain sounds is not yet recognized in diagnostic systems. Johnson analyzed interviews of 60 individuals with clinically significant misophonia, transcribed them, categorized responses into cognitive, emotional, and behavioural traits, and identified the most frequent reactions.

Mercedes Woolley, a doctoral student in the ACT Research Lab and Johnson's mento praised Johnson's initiative in leading a qualitative study with 60 participants, noting her potential for a successful research career. Johnson plans to publish her findings, recommending misophonia be classified as a multidisciplinary disorder with psychological symptoms. Set to graduate in May 2025, she intends to work as a research assistant while preparing for doctoral studies. Anna Bailey, a recent psychology graduate with a chemistry minor, presented her research at the symposium under the mentorship of Professor Lisa Boyce and doctoral student Matthew Cook from the Department of Human Development and Family Studies. Boyce praised Bailey's dedication and efforts to ensure the study's progress, highlighting their collaboration to integrate Bailey’s work into the larger study.

Bailey’s research, conducted in Boyce's lab with Cook's supervision, explored whether a child’s sex affects the relationship between parenting alliance and brain activation. The study focused on the correlation between brain oxygen levels and parenting practices, with Bailey investigating if a child's sex influenced overall brain activation. She found that for male children, stronger parenting alliances linked to higher brain activation corresponded with lower prefrontal cortex activation. She concluded that fostering autonomy in males enhanced executive functioning, suggesting parents promote positive practices and autonomy. She credited her research experience in Boyce's lab for sparking her interest in pursuing a PhD in neuroscience to explore child development.

Bailey is applying to graduate schools to pursue a doctoral program in neuropsychology with a research focus and an emphasis on clinical assessment. Her initial goal was to work in pediatric neuropsychological testing to help children. However, her research and neuroscience coursework kindled a passion for research, which led her to change her focus. Matthew Cook, a graduate student mentor, shared that he aimed for Bailey to gain valuable experience in presenting and public speaking. He emphasized the importance of learning about first-author research and conducting a high-quality project. Cook highlighted the significance of understanding the entire research process, including study design, analysis, statistical interpretation, and setting expectations.

Undergraduate research is important for driving innovation. The achievements of the students, along with the guidance of their mentors and the resources provided by USU, show how important it is to nurture curiosity, perseverance, and academic excellence.

Editor's Note:

The 50th anniversary of the undergraduate research celebration at Utah State University is both inspiring and humbling to witness the remarkable achievements of students. This milestone is a testament to the dedication and innovation of young researchers, who are pushing the boundaries of knowledge and contributing significantly to their fields. The stories of Stephen May, Hailey Johnson, and Anna Bailey exemplify the transformative power of research and the invaluable mentorship that nurtures it. Their work not only enriches our understanding of complex issues but also sets a high standard for future generations of scholars. 

Skoobuzz appreciates the achievements of young researchers and is excited to see how their contributions will continue to shape the future of science and education.