INTRODUCTION.
My name is Kiera Duffy and I am an Undergraduate Student with a dual focus in the Departments of Psychology and Biology. Early into my undergraduate career, I grew interested in research, and how to get involved, and I was sadly met with a pandemic, which limited my ability to explore research aside from the odd opportunity here and there. When life started to return to our now new “normal”, I knew it was time to kick it into high gear and get out into the world of research.
I underwent research within the Forensic Psychology lens with Dr. Jill Robinson which then led me to Dr. Heather Price. I initiated contact with Dr. Price, from the Department of Psychology who focused heavily on research for undergraduate and graduate students, to see what if any opportunities she had, and I was fortunate enough to begin my work with her as a Research Assistant and Apprentice. This changed the course of my schooling as I then decided to have my undergraduate degree focused on Biology and Psychology. This opportunity was followed by more research with Dr. Patricia Parker, and I was selected to attend a Research Trip in Thailand with Dr. Naowarat Cheeptham and the Department of Biology at both Thompson Rivers University and Chiang Mai University.
My interests include fostering positive change and contributing to the field of strong research. This extends to an interest in individual lives, ethical dilemmas and how they can be improved upon, environmental sustainability, human connection, and overall the translation of knowledge to improve our daily lives. I also have major interests in data research, as well as hands-on research where I get to perform measures like surveys or work in lab settings, which I have had great experience with thus far in my career.
THE STANDARDS.
REFLECTIVE ESSAY.
“Research is formalized curiosity. It is poking and prying with a purpose.”
-Zora Neale Hurston (1891-1960) American anthropologist.