UTRGV’s Department of Psychological Science provides a volunteer program for students to develop psychology studies at the Adversities in Childhood and Trauma Studies Laboratory, also known as ACT Lab. In the ACT lab students are provided with the resources necessary to conduct research projects focused on childhood trauma and Post Traumatic Stress Disorder.
Psychology Senior, Claire Hsieh says the lab helps students to gain experience and understand situations in their community.
“[If] you are interested in pursuing graduate school or even getting more experience and understanding your community, I think it is important to be a part of a research lab and actually take the steps to better understanding what is going on your community and in the nation.”
The ACT Lab prepares students to work on multiple research projects at once. Some of the projects are conducted locally while others include collaborating in research with other international laboratories.
Graduate Research Assistant and third year Masters Student in Clinical Psychology, Jorge Cantu shares his “enjoyable” experience in the ACT LAB.
“…[And] just working with team lab members is fun, its enjoyable and we have a great time, we’ve gone to conferences together to present our research… and that is always a great experience, especially when you are going with a team that loves to do what you do as well.”
After the research is approved its published by academic journals. To present their research results, members attend local and international conferences for the opportunity to be recognized in the field. Through the ACT Lab, students form connections with other professionals in the same field.
Assistant Professor of Psychology and Director ACT Lab, Ruby Charak says that any student who is motivated in the field of trauma can join.
“Anyone and everyone, any student can join, who’s highly motivated, who wants to continue working, or wants to at least initiate working in the field of Trauma and wants to contribute to the society…”
To apply students are required to have a two-semester commitment, for more information in the ACT Lab, visit UTRGV.EDU/ACTLAB
Reporter Victor Rivero
