As winter comes into full force, the balmy weather of summer feels far away. But beyond the warm weather, summer brings opportunities to explore, unwind, and learn.
UW Psychology students made the most of the summer break, taking on internships, attending conferences, working at summer camps, and more. Here are some of their stories.
Aoi Hunsaker
My name is Aoi Hunsaker and I am a second year Ph.D. student in the Psychology department. I attended a conference in Prague, Czech Republic to present my research on neural responses to sounds in an unstudied fish local to Washington state called the spotted ratfish. The conference is called The Effects of Noise in Aquatic Life, and my PI Joseph Sisneros was one of the organizers of the conference. I presented a poster and gave a lightning talk about the poster at the conference.
Bea Clarisse Santos
I am a recent graduate from the Department of Psychology, and I am currently working as a full-time research study assistant on spinal cord injury research studies at Harborview Medical Center! In my role, I assist in patient recruitment efforts on the inpatient rehabilitation unit for multiple randomized controlled trials and assist in neuropsychological assessments for a multi-site study to improve the overall quality of life for folks with a recent spinal cord injury (SCI).
Maya Schollum
My name is Maya Schollum and I am a rising senior psychology undergrad. This summer I had the unique opportunity to work at Camp Andy, a summer treatment program for children with ADHD and autism. The experience gave me hands-on clinical training while also allowing me to make a direct impact in the lives of the campers. Through structured activities and games, I helped kids strengthen social, emotional, and behavioral skills in a supportive environment. It was both rewarding and inspiring to see their growth over the summer.
Sarena Sabine
I traveled to Vilnius, Lithuania, to present my research at the International Conference in Environmental Psychology this summer. My research talk was featured in a symposium, "Nature and Health: Measurement, Mechanisms, and Modern Contexts," and was titled: "Do Different Ways of Measuring Time in Nature Affect Associations with Mental Health?" I had an amazing experience being able to share research I'm doing as part of my dissertation to an international audience and make connections with researchers in the field!
Stephanie Zhu
I went to Friday Harbor Labs for the Marine Science Ocean Arts workshop where I learned about approaches to integrate artistic and scientific inquiries to make my work more accessible for everyone. My project showcase, “Between the Tides: Observations, Care, and Belonging,” is an interactive intertidal scene with crocheted rocks that hide short poems underneath. Together, the poems tell a story about my journey as a scientist and artist while also reflecting on how we talk about introduced species and human migration.
Swathi
Camp ANDY is a five-week Summer Treatment Program (STP), based on Pelham's STP manual, for kids with autism and/or ADHD. My experience at Camp ANDY was truly one of the most exciting and rewarding experiences I’ve ever had. As a counselor working with 6-year-olds, my roles included delivering verbal reinforcers through point calls, tracking behaviors, implementing individualized reinforcement plans, and making sure the campers are having a fun time. I was also responsible for an individualized program for a minimally verbal camper who required unique reinforcers and a specialized reinforcement schedule. Additionally, I led various social skills lessons on consent, emotion identification, and emotional regulation. Watching the children apply these skills throughout camp was incredibly meaningful.
Seeing my campers enjoying their time at camp, while at the same time actively practicing the skills we taught them, was energizing and motivating. This internship was deeply fulfilling because I could see the immediate impact of my efforts and strategies. It pushed me to be patient, empathetic, adaptable, and creative in my approach, and every small success felt meaningful. Being part of a team that celebrates progress and growth, and knowing I played a role in helping these children build skills and confidence, made me feel proud and inspired. The experience strengthened my skills, deepened my passion for working with children, and confirmed how much I value hands-on, evidence-based support in shaping positive behavior.
Xinyu Quan
This summer, I worked as a Certified Behavior Technician at Behavior Frontiers, where I provided ABA-based therapy to children with autism. I also continued my involvement in psychology research at the University of Washington, focusing on vocal tract imaging and speech-motor control in adults with Developmental Language Disorder.
Zac Petrillo
I was in Prague, Czech Republic with a Study Abroad program through CIEE, and was also able to travel to a bunch of other countries during my program. I was in a Health Psychology intensive class, and we learned about different methods of promoting well-being and learned about community outreach programs in the Czech Republic. This also included a site visit to a local non-governmental organization. While abroad, I also slowly began my virtual work with the Genetic Risk and Neurodevelopmental (GRaND) lab on a project investigating genetic risk for serious mental illnesses, such as schizophrenia and bipolar disorder.