Honors, Awards, and Achievements
Arts and Sciences Support for Undergraduate Research Funding Award ($1,000)
College of Arts and Sciences, University of Alabama
President's List (4.0+ GPA)
University of Alabama
Presidential Scholarship ($28,000/year)
University of Alabama
National Merit Scholarship Finalist Package ($205,250)
University of Alabama (National Merit Scholarship Foundation)
February 2023
Fall 2020 - Present
August 2020
August 2020
Project Description: Test a social reciprocity hypothesis of infant word learning - do the characteristics of interactions infants have influence how they learn words and conversational abilities?
Honors Thesis: I am investigating the effect of caregiver role strain and stress on intricacies of turn-taking between caregivers of autistic and neurotypical infants.
Data Processing:
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Assist with lab and at-home data collections for all projects
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Prepare paperwork, operate recording technologies, manage collected video and demographic data​
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Write and revise coding manuals for infant-caregiver behaviors
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Conduct behavioral video coding in Datavyu and carry out inter-observer reliability to ensure that codes are reliable and robust for all projects
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Use Adobe Illustrator and SPSS for data visualizations
Poster Presentations
1. Rymer, L., Manikkan, R., & West, K. L. (March 2023). Parental role strain and vocal turn-taking development in autistic infants. Poster presented at the University of Alabama Undergraduate Research and Creativity Activity Conference.
Early Learning Center for Research and Practice
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Worked in a co-teaching role in infant (12-22 months), young toddler (1-2 years old), and older toddler (3-4 years old) classrooms; assisted with classroom management and activity transitions (i.e., meals, toileting, nap time, outdoor time, small/large groups).
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Documented early learning standards within Social-Emotional, Cognitive, Language, Literacy, Mathematics, and Physical development, using Teaching Strategies Gold®, and contrived situations to observe specified behaviors.
Behavioral Medicine Institute, P. C.
Supervisors: Drs. Brooke Browning and Robert Devereaux
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Organized and entered test scores from WPPSI-IV, WISC-V, MMPI-2, MMPI-3, and screening procedures for bariatric surgery and chronic pain
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Assured quality and completion of over 1,000 updated patient demographics and insurance information for the 2022 calendar year
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Implemented new organizational strategies in the office of a school psychologist to present age-appropriate books and toys to be accessed during sessions
Leadership & Service Experience
September 2021 - Present
Volunteer Educator
BRIGHT (Engage Tuscaloosa)
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Implement a STEM-related curriculum in a classroom of 16-20 preschool students for 1 hour per week for approximately 5-8 weeks per semester; train new volunteers in my classroom team
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Lesson includes a relevant, age-appropriate book with corresponding questions and discussion before leading the students in a hands-on activity connected to the STEM topic (e.g., engineering, aerodynamics, meteorology) and wrapping up with comprehension questions and reflective discussion
September 2021 - Present
Volunteer
Bama Tutors for Service
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Provide free, need-based tutoring at the Tuscaloosa Public Library where community members bring their children to get one-on-one academic support
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Focus on elementary-level reading comprehension and provided additional materials or direction to parents when necessary (e.g., dyslexia, ADHD support)
August 2022 - Present
Volunteer
Reading Allies
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Tutored 1st through 3rd grade students from Tuscaloosa City and County elementary schools who reported scores under grade level expectations, focusing on elementary-level reading, comprehension, and writing for 1.5 hours per week
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Reported on progress and proficiency to gradually scale difficulty over the course of the semester
November 2022 - Present
Director of Public Relations
UA Medicine & Community
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Photograph meetings and volunteer events; manage all social media and website for an undergraduate pre-health organization
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Create educational graphics for monthly health awareness (i.e., World Health Day, American Heart Month, Antibiotic Awareness Week, World AIDS Day)
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Website: https://www.uamedicineandcommunity.com/ ; Instagram: @uamedcomm
January - May 2022
Treasurer
UA Community-Based Psychology
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Organized and budgeted for a large-scale community education event in partnership with the Tuscaloosa Spay/Neuter Incentive Program (TSNIP) and Tuscaloosa Magnet Middle School
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Collaborated with students, members of the TSNIP board, and customer service representatives to coordinate tasks and present monthly event and budget updates at board meetings
September 2022 - Present
Peer Mentor
Psi Chi
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Meet with an underclassman, undergraduate psychology student in UA Psychology Club at least once per semester and with regular virtual check-ins to answer questions about course requirements, electives, and extracurriculars
August - November 2020
Volunteer
Al's Pals Mentorship Program
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Worked collaboratively with other UA students to lead and tutor 2nd grade students via online video calls, engaging lessons and games
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Volunteered and served underserved elementary schools in the Tuscaloosa area to focus on developing social skills and provide education during the COVID-19 pandemic
SKILLS
Microsoft Office - Advanced
Datavyu - Advanced
Canva - Advanced
English - Fluent
American Sign Language - Intermediate
Spanish - Basic