Nina Monticello NCUR 2023 Spotlight

Nina Monticello

Senior, Psychology major

Research Mentor: Dr. Michelle Martel

I enjoy research because.... "it gives me an opportunity to learn new skills, explore new interests, meet new people, and invest in my future."

How did you first get interested in undergraduate research at UK?

"I got interested because I want to go to grad school and felt it was important not only for my CV, but also to gain some confidence in the field before grad school. Once I found research I loved, it was easy to stay interested."

How long have you been engaged in undergraduate research?

"Almost 2 years!"

What has been the most exciting aspect of your research so far?

"One of the most exciting parts of research has been getting involved in parts of research I never thought I would find interesting. I was first intrigued by the interactions with participants, but I ended up falling in love with the data side of research and analyzing all the numbers."

What advice would you give to other UK students thinking about doing research?

"Make a list of the different areas you are interested in and find the professor/s who best fit those interests. Don't be afraid to send emails to several people you are interested in. Get to know the people in your lab, undergrads and grad students alike! And try to be in a lab you're actually interested in. It's way more fun when you know what's going on."