Academic Enrichment: Undergraduate Research Project (6 points) - Class of 2028

 Participating in an undergraduate research project centered on women living with autoimmune diseases, specifically multiple sclerosis, has expanded my understanding of how research is structured, collaborative, and responsive to real-world needs. Through this experience, I was introduced to a new phase of the research process that emphasizes literature synthesis, critical analysis, and team-based planning. Being assigned an annotated bibliography on family planning experiences highlighted the importance of grounding research initiatives in lived experiences.

One of the most impactful aspects of this experience has been being formally integrated into the research workflow through direct communication with the research team. Receiving guidance on my role and being invited to remain after a team meeting to discuss expectations reinforced the collaborative nature of academic research. It demonstrated how research projects evolve through dialogue, mentorship, and clearly defined responsibilities. This experience helped me better understand how individual contributions support broader research goals.

From a reflective standpoint, this project continually challenges me to approach research from a more interdisciplinary and socially conscious perspective. Examining autoimmune disease through the lens of women’s reproductive health and family planning emphasizes the intersection between biology, public health, and patient experience. It reinforces the idea that meaningful research must consider clinical outcomes, quality of life, and personal decision-making.

This experience is strengthening my confidence as a developing researcher and has affirmed my interest in pursuing research that addresses health equity and patient-centered outcomes. Moving forward, I plan to continue engaging actively in research team discussions, refining my literature evaluation skills, and contributing thoughtfully to projects that translate scientific inquiry into impactful knowledge.

By: Kandace N. Bryant