The Pittsburgh Obesity, Weight, and Emotion Research (POWER) Lab

Supervising Faculty: Nermeen El Nokali, PhD, Research Principal Sr, UPMC Psychiatry and Dana Rofey, PhD

Contact: Nermeen El Nokali, elnokaline@upmc.edu

Area of Research: Youth and Adolescent Weight Management

Description of Research:  The Pittsburgh Obesity, Weight, and Emotion Research (POWER) Lab is a collaborative lab focused on key research areas related to psychosocial aspects of youth and adolescent health, with an emphasis on regulatory processes. Our aim is to innovate preventative and intervention efforts to assist youth and adolescents in formulating plans for healthy lifestyles and for improving functional aspects of their lives.

Duties of Students:  A typical experience in the lab may include: literature reviews, data entry, assessment scoring, study material preparation, recruitment and participant organization, assistance with IRB protocol preparation and submissions, assistance with grant and manuscript preparation, assistance with conference presentations, opportunities to present work, opportunities to shadow in youth and adolescent clinical settings

Requirements:

  • Overall GPA of 3.0 or higher
  • 12 credits of Psychology (including current term)
  • STAT 0200/1000/1100 Statistics
  • PSY 0036 Research Methods Lecture
  • PSY 0037 Research Methods Lab
  • Minimum 2 term committment

Recruitment Process:  In selecting undergraduates to assist in the lab, we first meet with prospective research students. Virtual-meeting accommodations will be made in the case that social distancing is necessary. At these meetings, we like to provide an overview of the current projects in the lab as well as a list of potential tasks and opportunities. Of course, we also like to gain insight into the student's interests, career goals, skills, and research experience. We do ask that students provide a CV with their current GPA listed and we do ask that students are willing to make a commitment of at least 2 semesters in the lab. We welcome and champion a diverse lab. We do look for a GPA of 3.0 and above and ability to commit 2 consecutive semesters to the lab as baseline indicators of a potential fit.

Additional criteria that help us determine fit between the lab and the student are:

  • Age group the student is interested in studying. We mainly study adolescents.
  • Interest in direct contact with research participants. While our undergraduate students are provided with opportunities to shadow in clinical settings and in data collection, their primary roles in the lab do not involve direct contact with patients or research participants.
  • Interest in written contributions to the lab including literature reviews as well as manuscript and grant preparation.

Terms offered: Fall, Spring, Summer

Number of Students: 2

Lab website: https://www.powerlab.pitt.edu

To Apply: Complete the application form at: https://pitt.co1.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_3UbKZGoU3VlRen4. Once it is complete, contact Dr. Nermeen El Nokali at elnokaline@upmc.edu to inform the lab that you have completed the application.