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Larisa Heiphetz
Senior
Psychology

My adviser and I are currently working on a project examining the influence of gendered language on memory. My broader research interests include race, gender, and religion.

Why did you get involved in undergraduate research at Penn State?
I already had some research experience from high school, so I knew that I wanted to get involved in a lab during my first semester.

What kind of time commitment is required for your research activities? How do you find the time for research?
My time commitment has varied from semester to semester. While I was enrolled in classes, I usually worked between 6 and 15 hours a week. (I have finished all of my required courses. This allows me to spend as much time in the lab as I need to!) I'm usually more productive when I have several things going on (classes, research, extra-curricular activities, etc.), so finding the time for research was not too difficult for me. It was easier to spend more time in lab when I had large chunks of time rather than just an hour or so spread out over the week.

How will your research experience help you in the future?
I am applying to graduate programs which emphasize student research, so I will go in already knowing the basics of how to run a study. Also, my research experience makes me a more competitive applicant than I would be otherwise.

What would you tell a friend who wants to get involved in research?
That it's a great opportunity!