This panel will offer a comprehensive overview of the key stages of research through multidisciplinary project presentations, highlighting the processes and activities at each step of interacting with research data. Fevronia revised a method for data collection via interactive online tasks to support a study on contributing factors for holding racial essentialist beliefs. Jenelle worked on collecting data this summer at Somneuro Lab at UMass Amherst through the Toddler Overnight Sleep Study (TOSS), where she conducted data collection and analysis. Amy automated a simulation process, bridging the gap between technical and non-technical researchers. Ashley completes the cycle by analyzing data and creating reports for the ACT Cognitive Lab project, applying basic data analysis skills in social science.

Moderator: Audrey St. John, Professor of Computer Science

Assessing Racial Essentialist Beliefs Through Online Interactive Tasks: Behind the Scenes on Data Collection
Fevronia Van Sickle ’25, Computer Science major & Music minor

Dreaming Big at Somneuro: Groundbreaking Research in Developmental Sleep Science
Jenelle Radzim ’25, Psychology and Education & English Double major

Data Analysis in Social Science & Internship Start-Up
Ashley Zhang ’26, Sociology major & Music minor

Formation Control: Automating a Simulation Process
Amy Le ’25, Computer Science and Physics Double major

Speaker name: Fevronia Van Sickle
Title: Assessing Racial Essentialist Beliefs Through Online Interactive Tasks: Behind the Scenes on Data Collection
This summer I assisted psychology Professor John Tawa in building out and revising a data collection tool for a psych study examining contributing factors for believing in racial essentialism. The study posits that there is a correlation between a propensity for analytical, pattern focused thinking and a tendency to hold racial essentialist beliefs. I worked on a website designed to gauge an individual’s ability to think creatively and ‘outside the box.’ To do this, I revised a given front end website, enabling a seamless data collection. Within that role I was responsible for updating the user interface, solving bugs and problems, and taking the website from front end to full stack.

Speaker name: Ashley
Title: Data Analysis in Social Science & Internship Start-Up
In this presentation, I will talk about my summer internship experience with ACT (an education institution known for the standard test— ACT test) and its connection to my academic journey as a sociology student at Mount Holyoke College. Through my work with ACT, I engaged in hands-on projects that emphasized basic data analysis in social science. These experiences allowed me to apply key sociology quantitative research methods, understanding how data analysis and data visualization play crucial roles in business-based research. I will reflect on the intersection of my coursework and real-world application. This presentation will showcase the valuable insights I gained and how they will inform my future studies and career trajectory.

Speaker name: Amy Le
Title: Formation Control: Automating a Simulation Process
This panel will discuss my summer project, conducted under the guidance of Professor Audrey, which focused on testing a hypothesis in formation control for multi-agent systems. The hypothesis suggested that if a small error occurs in the initial formation and certain algorithm parameters exceed a specific threshold, the agents would self-correct and return to the desired formation. To test this, I automated simulations, analyzing how the system responds to early formation errors. By adjusting algorithm parameters, I observed whether the agents could realign themselves without external correction. This automated approach allowed for efficient, repeatable testing, offering insights into the relationship between initial errors and system stability.

Speaker name:Jenelle Radzim
Title: Dreaming Big at Somneuro: Groundbreaking Research in Developmental Sleep Science
This summer, I was a research assistant at UMass Amherst’s Somneuro Lab. Broadly speaking, the lab focuses on the relationship between sleep and memory from a developmental neuropsychological perspective. I primarily worked on the Toddler Overnight Sleep Study (TOSS), which examines longitudinal changes in overnight sleep physiology and sleep’s cognitive function across toddlerhood. I assisted the lab by applying high-density electroencephalogram (EEG) caps to child participants and administering memory tasks. I also collaborated with research team personnel to score actigraphy and polysomnography (PSG) data to assess participants’ habitual sleep patterns and sleep architecture. This experience not only reinforced my passion for child-centered work, but introduced me to a range of potential career options within the field of child psychology and development.

Speaker name: Sadalys Pena Salcedo
Title: Revlon Human Resources TA Internship 2024
This presentation outlines my experience as a Talent Acquisition Human Resources Intern at Revlon, with a dual focus on acquiring and developing talent, as well as contributing to a special internship project related to product innovation. During my internship, I supported various HR functions, primarily focusing on talent acquisition strategies to attract and retain top candidates. Additionally, I had the unique opportunity to lead a project aimed at marketing the Elizabeth Arden brand to a younger demographic. This project involved working on product development and formulation strategies that align with the preferences and values of a new generation of consumers. Through this experience, I gained valuable insights into the intersection of human resources and product marketing, while contributing to the brand’s ongoing efforts to remain relevant in an ever-evolving market.

Speaker name: Ana
Title: M&A Chronicles: My Journey as an M&A Analyst at Sellside Group
“During my summer internship at Sellside Group, I served as a Junior M&A Analyst, where I was responsible for sourcing, pitching, and executing buy-side and sell-side M&A opportunities. This presentation highlights my journey and key accomplishments over the internship period from June 2024 to the present.”

“As a top-rated analyst, I was honored to receive an offer to continue my role during the academic year, a testament to my contributions and dedication. My primary focus was on identifying, sourcing, and negotiating M&A opportunities within the consumer goods, industrial, field, and beauty industries. These efforts not only enhanced my technical skills but also deepened my understanding of market dynamics and client needs.”

“In this presentation, I will share insights into my journey of finding this internship, the challenges I encountered, and the strategies I employed to contribute to M&A transactions. I will also discuss the importance of collaboration within the team and how my experiences have prepared me for a future career in investment banking. My internship at Sellside Group has been instrumental in shaping my professional development and has provided me with valuable skills and insights that I will carry forward in my career.”