Potential Mentors
The following faculty have expressed an interest in being a DSP mentor. If their research interests match yours, please feel free to reach out to them to discuss their current availability and a potential project. Remember that these are not the only possible mentors- reach out to instructors, advisors, classmates, and faculty to identify a possible mentor!
Research: My research examines the effects of popular culture and media on the health and well-being of young people, fans, and marginalized communities. More specifically, much of my work looks at issues related to mental and sexual health, identity processing/acceptance, civic/political engagement, and the general social welfare of these groups.
DSP expectations: Anyone highly interested in popular culture and media is welcome! Expect a minimum of 2-3 hours of work per week (or more if requested), and some basic research skills (e.g., searching library databases, writing annotated bibliographies) are highly preferred, but not required.
Research: My research investigates how using digital technology affects memory. The lab studies digital technology's effects on learning, memory for personal events, and how people think about and prefer to use their memory. Currently, we're investigating the effects of using digital devices like smartphone cameras, online tools like Google and ChatGPT, and social media on cognition.
DSP expectations: I am interested in working with undergraduates who are looking to get hands-on experience conducting research in psychology. Research assistants in my lab will be trained to run participants in lab studies. They will also attend lab meetings during which they will gain experience reading and discussing research findings, working with data, and discussing research proposals. I am always open to collaborating with interested students to develop new projects and honors theses.
Research: I am a speech-language pathologist as well as a researcher. This clinical perspective informs the way that I approach the research process. Within speech-language pathology, my area of interest is stuttering. Through my research, I explore questions relating to stuttering identity and self-disclosure, advocacy, ableism, employment outcomes for adults who stutter, and clinical practice for children and adults who stutter.
DSP expectations: I want to work with students who are curious, enthusiastic, hardworking, and open to new knowledge and experiences. You don’t have to be a Communication Disorders major to benefit from conducting research with me, but being interested in topics such as speech, language, disability, social justice, and stuttering is important in making sure you will get the most out of your research experience.
Name: Rhianna Thomas
Email Address: thomasrk@nmsu.edu
Home Department: Teacher Preparation Administration and Leadership (Curriculum and Instruction)
Research: Dr. Thomas utilizes qualitative, arts-based, and action research methods to support more just and culturally sustaining social studies and child guidance practices in birth through 4th grade settings. She is experienced in collaborative action research methods with teachers, students, and community stakeholders.
DSP expectations: Dr. Thomas is excited to work with undergraduate scholars who have growing expertise in teaching, social work, and public health. She enjoys working with scholars who embrace visual representation of research and alternative forms of academic writing such as poetry, choose your own adventure, and zines.
Research: My research interests center around the acute and chronic responses to physical activity in hot environments, with a focus in occupational health. Recently, we have been exploring these topics in females and during the menstrual cycle.
DSP expectations: The undergraduate scholar should be interested in working with human subjects in hot and humid environments and be comfortable analyzing blood and urine samples. Other responsibilities will include general lab duties such as cleaning, paperwork, and adhering to lab policies. Beyond general interest in these topics, we want someone who will be reliable, trustworthy, and committed to the research process.
Name: Melissa Warr
Email Address: warr@nmsu.edu
Home Department: School of Teacher Preparation, Administration and Leadership
Research: I study educational uses of AI, focusing on using AI critically and creatively. My research undercovers bias inherent in AI as well as works with local teachers to address the challenge of critically integrating AI int heir classrooms. I primarily use qualitative research methods, but sometimes use basic statistics to describe bias in AI tools. You can see my work on my websites: melissa-warr.com; equityinai.net
DSP expectations: I'm looking for a student who is open minded and a deep thinker. They should be willing to engage in critical discussion that questions common assumptions about teaching, learning, and technology.
Research: My lab is generally interested in memory and metacognition (i.e., knowing what we know). I enjoy addressing broad questions in these domains, and I'm open to novel project ideas. Some current focuses are: 1) the predictive value of eyewitness confidence in the criminal justice system, 2) better understanding the eyewitness lineup memory procedure, 3) individual differences in metacognitive and memory abilities, such as changes as we age, and 4) developing mathematical models of the decision making and confidence generation process.
DSP expectations: I'm looking for undergraduates who are passionate about asking novel questions in experimental psychology — curiosity is the number one quality I seek in mentees! My approach is to be very hands-on, so you should expect to meet a minimum of once per week. It is recommended that you take a research methods class through the psychology department (as this can significantly speed along project development), though this is not required. By the end of the project, I will expect you to be able to: 1) read and summarize original research articles, 2) design and run an IRB-approved experiment in the lab, 3) do some basic data cleaning and analyses, and 4) write up results consistent with journal reporting guidelines.
Research: I am a qualitative researcher who is interested in economic and community issues. However, I have published several projects with students in scholarly journals (the students are all in first author position with me as second author) on topics including LGBTQ and religion; veterans issues; and homelessness.
DSP expectations: I am interested in working with students who are passionate about their idea, are intellectually curious, have a disciplined work ethic, and are willing to work in a collaborative manner.