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We are excited to introduce “Student Spotlight” where each week a different student who participates in Research at Roanoke College will be featured. For this first week, meet Snigdha Somani, an Undergraduate Research Assistant who is working with Dr. Andreea Mihalache-O’Keef in the Public Affairs Department. Currently, Snigdha is working on a project titled, The First Year: Determinants of Infant Nutrition and Marketing Solutions for Community Stakeholders in the Roanoke Valley. “This project identifies infant nutrition patterns in Roanoke and the surrounding area, as well as some of the socioeconomic, demographic, and policy-related determinants of infant nutrition decisions. It is a unique data collection initiative intended to serve a variety of local stakeholders, like WIC. The main contribution of the project is to fill a gap in data on infant feeding in our area and on challenges and resources for mothers during baby’s first year of life. Additionally, the project tests a set of hypotheses regarding determinants of infant nutrition outcomes, with a focus on two broad categories: (1) socio-demographics; and (2) community culture and resources”, says Snigdha. Follow Snigdha and Dr. Mihalache-O’Keef on their journey with this project throughout the semester!

I had the opportunity to interview Shannon Baker concerning her opportunity to have her distinction project on Confederate monuments be published in the Michigan Journal of History.

Can you describe what your research project is about?

My distinction project, Confederate Monuments in Context: Arlington National Cemetery and the Legacy of the Confederacy, analyzed the Confederate monument at Arlington National Cemetery and placed it in the larger, modern-day context surrounding the debate around Confederate symbols. I applied theory from memory studies and public history to explain the power of hegemonic narratives of history, why monuments can be so controversial, and the arc of the Lost Cause throughout American history. 

 What made you decide to pursue your topic? Why did you decide to do research

I decided to research this project both out of a genuine interest (we had been discussing Confederate memorialization in my Intro to Public History class when I proposed this project), and because I was going to participate in the Washington semester, and I wanted to be able to do research while I was in D.C. I knew I was going to do research because of my enrollment in the Honors program.

How has your experience with your research advisor been?

I really loved getting to work with Dr. Rosenthal. She was so helpful and encouraging, and I definitely couldn’t have gotten it done at all without her. Dr. Rosenthal kept me on track, and my paper wouldn’t have been as strong as it was if I didn’t have such a great supervisor.

What has been your favorite or most interesting part of your research project so far?

I’ve really found a lot of interesting things through my research, but I think the most interesting thing I’ve stumbled across — and the article that made me consider this topic in the first place — was a newspaper article written by the descendants of the Arlington monument sculptor, Moses Ezekiel, calling for the monument’s removal following the 2017 Charlottesville riot. (here’s the link, it’s really well-written: https://www.washingtonpost.com/local/virginia-politics/descendants-of-rebel-sculptor-remove-confederate-memorial-from-arlington-national-cemetery/2017/08/18/d4da6a3e-842b-11e7-ab27-1a21a8e006ab_story.html)

What would you say to current and incoming students interested in doing research? 

I recommend doing research to any student at RC. It gives you the opportunity to make something you can be so proud of, and it certainly made me a better writer and researcher. It’s not as scary as it seems!

I had the opportunity to interview Abigail Packard concerning her time as a research fellow at Roanoke College.

Can you describe what your research project is about?

My independent project looks at Perceptions of Assessment: Comparing College Students & Faculty. We asked a series of questions about assessment type, including formative, summative, and standardized assessments, what they thought about them, and general questions pertaining to assessment. We also asked about assessment method types such as projects, written exams, oral exams, take-home tests, etc. Through the project, I was able to gain insight into how students and teachers may or may not believe that assessment is an accurate measure of students’ knowledge and if students and faculty differ in their preferences for different methods of assessment.

What made you decide to pursue your topic?

What made me decide to pursue this research is my love for education and insight into assessing students best. I am majoring in elementary education and hope to bring knowledge of assessment preference into my future classroom. I also feel it is essential for others within education to see the possible stressors or benefits of assessment.

Why did you decide to do research?

I am part of the Research Fellows Program for the class of 2021, and what first caught my eye is the many benefits of research after college when looking into graduate programs and being a competitive applicant. I also enjoyed the idea of research pushing you to be a committed individual in your academics and the continued growth it provides me as a student.

How has your experience with your research advisor been?

My research advisor is Dr. Powell, who works in the psychology department. She has been such a wonderful mentor by pushing me to think in new ways, providing support, and continuing to help me grow as not only a student but also as an individual. It is apparent she cares for all students in her lab and wants to see them all succeed and work together, and it has been an incredible experience working with her.

What has been your favorite or most interesting part of your research project so far?

My research project’s most memorable experience has been sharing my research with interviewers as I have been applying to teaching positions. It has allowed me to see my research come to life on campus and in my future career and lets me share it with others.

What would you say to current and incoming students interested in doing research?

If there are incoming students or even current students interested in research, I encourage them to learn more about it and see if they feel they would enjoy it. It is important to ensure you are aware of the time commitment but also recognize the endless benefits that can come from completing research throughout college. It is not very common for college students to conduct research starting from first-year students to senior year. Take a chance and push yourself. You may find you love research!

Lastly, any other additional information or comments you’d like to include besides the questions stated above? 

I want to thank the Research Fellowship for the opportunity I was given and to thank Dr. Lassiter for supporting me throughout my four years at the college. Lastly, to my peers in the lab and Dr. Powell for always being my advocate and pushing me to be the best I can be as a student researcher.

I had the opportunity to speak to David Casson concerning his research on structural stigma and substance abuse disorder with the aid of Dr. Schorpp.

Can you describe what your research project is about?

         My research project is about the effect of stigmatization, specifically in terms of a quantitative sociological analysis of structural stigma and substance use disorder. This research project analyzes various sources of structural stigma such as medical policies, treatment centers, clinics, prison systems, etc. and how these sources create stigma for individuals seeking care for substance use disorder and how these forms of stigmatization can hinder treatment and care efforts. We seek to evaluate how these sources create the stigma, where they are most prevalent, and how they can be improved upon to lessen the impact of stigmatization, so that individuals can have more fluid access to quality care to treat their substance use disorder. 

What made you decide to pursue your topic?

       I chose to pursue this topic for a few reasons and because my first two attempts at research topics did not go very well. I decided to turn to a sociological centered approach because I was taking sociology classes at the time of the switch and found them to be extremely fascinating. Hearing Beth Macy speak about her novel, Dope sick at Roanoke when she visited was also very inspiring as well. I also knew I wanted to do something related to the public sector and taking the sociology classes helped put that into perspective. 

Why did you decide to do research?

            I decided to do research because if I am involved with the research fellows’ program, I think it would be wise to conduct some. Additionally, I wanted to gain more experience in the research field and as a psychology major, it seems fitting to be more skilled in the research field if I am given the opportunity to do so. Also, conducting research has been a learning experience overall and has helped me become more proficient at analyzing empirical knowledge and a better student altogether. I believe it will also be very helpful to have this experience post undergrad when applying and completing a graduate school program one day.

How has your experience with your research advisor been?

My experience with Dr. Schorpp has been tremendous. We get along very well, and she has taught me more than I could have hoped for with research and skills associated with conducting and analyzing research work. She is incredibly charismatic, kind, helpful, cheerful, and supportive and has made this experience all the more worthwhile.

What has been your favorite or most interesting part of your research project so far?

        My favorite part of the research so far has to be seeing the individual pieces of data/research collected come together to form a pattern or a collective idea. It helps reassure that the hard work can pay off and that the research has significant meaning as it all ties together in quite unique ways.

What would you say to current and incoming students interested in doing research?

I would say to push yourself and to never doubt yourself. There are no stupid questions and asking questions can only help propel you further. Furthermore, I would highly recommend establishing a strong, positive, and friendly relationship with their peer mentors as they are incredibly helpful and only want to see us succeed and produce something extremely valuable and insightful. Always be true to yourself and don’t give in when it gets tough.

Lastly, any other additional information or comments you’d like to include besides the questions stated above?  

I would just like to thank the Research Fellows Department for giving me the opportunity to be a part of the fellow’s program as it has been an incredibly worthwhile experience for me. I wouldn’t ever change it.