Neuropsychology Central

[Phoenix1325]

Hey.. just joined today
Currenty I am an undergrad looking to move into the field of neuropsychology. I was wondering about what types of research can be done at the undergrad level that might help boost my resume for graduate schools.

Also, I was wondering if anyone new of anything available in Baltimore that I could volunteer for. Thanx for any help


Sara

[lash]

Hi Sara,

It's pretty tough to get involved in neuropsych research if your university doesn't have a neuropsych lab, since people usually take their own. That said, you can do pretty much anything at the undergrad level, since you usually have the easiest population of "normals" available (Psych 101 students). You really only need to latch on to someone else's research project, don't go nuts trying to think up your own things, that comes with experience (grad school).

Does location in Baltimore matter? Where are you going to school? I don't know if they take non-Hopkins research assistants, but you can check with Drs. Brandt and/or Schretlen at Hopkins Med. They might at least be able to suggest something. If you can't find neuropsych-specific positions, you can always settle for a general psych volunteer gig at Sheppard Pratt, they're always looking for folks to help out in a variety of settings. I haven't been in Baltimore for a few years, so I'm a little out of touch. Hope this helps a little.
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Lee Ashendorf, Ph.D.
Edith Nourse Rogers Memorial VA
Co-Webmaster, Neuropsychology Central

[phil480]

When I was an undergraduate applying to graduate schools, I was told that any research experience you can add to your application always looks good. Whether it be with faculty, assistanceship, or conducted independenty through the University's IRB, just so long as you can demonstrate an interest in emperical, original research, as well as a novice proficiency with research design, methodology, and statistical analyses. It doesn't even necessarily have to be within the field of neuropsych given that a lot of very bright students don't have access to teaching hospitals or neuropscyh labs as an undergrad. However, it is important to develop some fairly broad neuropsych interstests so you can match your intersts to those of potential graduate school mentors in the future. I would suggest keeping in touch with some of the current research out there by checking out some of the more popular neuropsych journals. Journal of Clinical and Experimental Neuropsychology, Neuropsychology, Brain, Applied Neuropsychology, Brain and Language, Neuropsychological Review, Annals of Neurology, Journal of Head Trauma Research, just to name a few. Also, check out this article, it provides a list of "essential" books and journals to the field of neuropsych:

Sullivan, K. A. & Ryan, J. J. (2004). Essential books and journals in clinical neuropsychology: An austrailian perspective. Journal of Clinical and Expeimental Neuropsychology, 26 pp. 291-300.

Cheers,
Phil[/i]
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We are the music makers... and the dreamers of the dreams -Willy Wonka

[Boice75]

[marygoss]

take a research under a well known professor or take training in a reputed hospital.
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marygoss