When Ava Santiago began at Arizona State University, she didn’t have a serious in thoughts, simply an curiosity in understanding folks.
“I came in undecided as an exploratory social behavioral sciences major,” mentioned Santiago, who’s from Silver Spring, Maryland. “I took classes in sociology, anthropology, economics and psychology, but I was most compelled by the questions asked in my psychology courses.”
That curiosity led her to declare psychology by the tip of her first yr and start exploring analysis alternatives.
As a sophomore, Santiago joined Associate Professor Rebecca Blais’ Military Social Science Laboratory (MiSSiLe), the place she studied outcomes related to military-related traumas.
She introduced analysis on the International Society for Traumatic Stress Studies and accomplished a Barrett honors thesis analyzing the connection between institutional betrayal and alcohol consumption amongst survivors of military sexual trauma. She was additionally named a finalist for the Best Honors Thesis Award, obtained the Psychology Rising Scholar Award and was inducted into Phi Beta Kappa.
This May, Santiago will graduate from The College of Liberal Arts and Sciences with a Bachelor of Science in psychology, a minor in enterprise and recognition because the Department of Psychology’s Dean’s Medalist, the very best honor awarded to a graduating senior within the division. She will pursue a PhD in scientific psychology at the Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences after commencement.
Question: Why did you select ASU?
Answer: The means to interact with what I used to be studying exterior the classroom was necessary to me. After touring ASU and Barrett, I used to be impressed with the infrastructure supporting college students find neighborhood and creating abilities past simply getting a level. At ASU, I’ve been in a position to conduct analysis, apply for scholarships, obtain mentoring from specialists and be a mentor myself.
Q: What drew you to the Military Social Science Laboratory?
A: My father served on energetic responsibility within the U.S. Navy for 22 years, so the military was an necessary a part of my childhood. I felt supported by that neighborhood. All my medical doctors had been in uniform, and I now use the GI Bill to fund my schooling.
That expertise, mixed with my curiosity in how cognition and habits have an effect on well being outcomes, drew me to Dr. Blais’ lab. I needed to raised perceive the neighborhood I’ve been a part of and learn how to enhance well being outcomes inside it. Through my work, I’ve discovered concerning the distinctive stressors, obstacles and protecting components in military environments.
My ASU diploma displays extra than simply coursework. It represents the mentorship I’ve obtained, the analysis I’ve carried out, my involvement in the neighborhood and the talents I’ve developed.
Ava Santiago, ’26 BS in psychology
Q: Can you share extra about your honors thesis?
A: My thesis, accomplished by the Psychology Honors Thesis Seminar Sequence, examined the connection between institutional betrayal and alcohol consumption amongst military sexual trauma survivors. Serving on my thesis committee had been Dr. Blais and Drs. William Corbin and Deborah Wu.
Having a committee with such versatile experience strengthened my thesis. I’m particularly grateful for Dr. Blais’ mentorship and the chance to work with a dataset she collected to review outcomes amongst survivors of military sexual trauma.
We discovered that increased ranges of institutional betrayal had been related to increased alcohol consumption, suggesting that when addressing alcohol misuse, perceptions of how the military establishment contributes to and responds to trauma must be thought of.
Q: What internships or different experiences had the most important impression on you?
A: I accomplished two funded summer time internships on the Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences that targeted on analysis in military medication. My first summer time was once I began viewing myself as a scientist.
I used to be uncovered to interdisciplinary analysis, from chronobiology and sleep to epidemiology, which broadened my perspective and made me excited concerning the prospects of science.
Leadership was one other space of progress. As a Barrett mentor, I discovered how curiosity and vulnerability are strengths, and I noticed a giant distinction in how folks engaged with me.
Q: What’s one of the best piece of recommendation you’d give to these nonetheless at school?
A: Read your e-mail. I discovered about many alternatives, together with analysis, internships, scholarships and programs simply by listening to what was being shared.
Q: What was your favourite spot on campus?
A: The dance studio at Mill Avenue Student Housing. As a part of Devil DanceSport, it’s a nice area to observe, refine my approach and join with different college students. I’ve been dancing for over 13 years, and it’s necessary to me to have an outlet for creative expression.
Q: How has your ASU diploma ready you for what comes subsequent?
A: My ASU diploma displays extra than simply coursework. It represents the mentorship I’ve obtained, the analysis I’ve carried out, my involvement in the neighborhood and the talents I’ve developed.
When interviewing with scientific psychology PhD packages, I talked about my honors thesis in a approach that confirmed a hands-on, real-world understanding of analysis, which helped me stand out.