Loyola University Chicago

Infant & Early Childhood Cognition Lab

Current Research Opportunities

FOR PROSPECTIVE GRADUATE STUDENTS

Please contact Dr. Kathleen Kannass (kkannas@luc.edu) if you are interested in learning more about her program of research and graduate study with her.

 

FOR UNDERGRADUATE STUDENTS

Undergraduate research assistants are needed to assist in research during the fall, spring, and summer semesters.  Students must make at least a two 16-week semester commitment to being in the lab (i.e., fall-spring, spring-fall).  Availability for the summer is a definite plus!  Many students decide to stay longer, which is great!

 Below are answers to some frequently asked questions.

WHAT WOULD I DO?  Undergraduate research assistants (RAs) help with testing the infants, toddlers, and preschoolers who come to Damen to participate in studies on attention and distractibility conducted by Dr. Kathleen Kannass.  The RAs also help with coding for attentional behaviors and recruitment. 

WHY WOULD I WANT TO DO THIS?  It’s a fun way to learn about child development and gain solid research skills.  Plus this is good preparation for graduate school in psychology.  Students who go on in medicine, law, and education also gain from the experience.  Plus, regardless of the avenue you pursue after Loyola, you will need letters of recommendation or references for your supporting applications.  For example, if you are going on to graduate school (or medical school or law school), you will need at least 3 letters of recommendation from professors who know you well and can write a strong letter of support.  If you have done research with a faculty member, then that faculty member can make much more specific comments about your strengths in the letter because he/she knows you very well. 

HOW MUCH TIME DOES IT TAKE?  RAs who volunteer their time spend 6 to 7 hours a week in the lab, and RAs who take the lab as course credit (e.g., 399) spend 10 hours a week in the lab.  Advanced RAs (i.e., people who have been in the lab for more than 1 semester) often take 397 (lab work plus a written paper), which fulfills the capstone credit; 397 RAs also spend 10 hours a week in the lab.  Some students take the lab for Honor’s Credit (369 and 370).

WHEN WOULD I DO IT?  Undergrad RAs are needed for the summer (June and July), fall, and spring semesters.  Your lab hours are designed to fit your schedule (we work your lab hours around times when you are in class, volunteering, working, etc.).

WHAT ARE THE REQUIREMENTS?  RAs must have an overall GPA of 3.0 and make a two 16-week semester commitment (i.e., work in the lab for two 16-week semesters).  They must also enjoy working with infants and small children.

WHO SHOULD I CONTACT?  Contact Dr. Kathleen Kannass (773-508-8747, kkannas@luc.edu) to see about availability!