Wendy Santos-Modesitt

Psychology Major
San Francisco State University
SRTP Project: Improving diagnostic accuracy of dementia subtypes
SRTP Faculty Mentor: Katherine Rankin, Ph.D.

How did you hear about the SRTP?
SRTP Website and the Career Opportunities in Research (COR) Program

What were your expectations going in to the program? Did the program meet these expectations?
I expected to be involved in a research project, to present on that project and to have to write an abstract. I also expected some GRE preparation which I received. The program did meet my expectations and more. I loved my placement.

What did you learn / what skills did you acquire? Did you learn anything unexpected?
I learned more about the brain; how a clinical setting, where patients are evaluated by a team of clinicians, works; I learned that even with enough practice, I will still feel very nervous when I have to present. My first poster, I loved the entire experience.

What did you think of the learning environment?
The learning environment was great. (I got to observe the slicing of a brain, what more could you ask for).

What are your future plans? Did the SRTP have any influence on these plans?
Ph.D., Clinical Developmental Neuropsychologist, something like that. YES!!! That there are actually developmental neuropsychologists.

Would you recommend SRTP to other students in your field of study?
YES!!! and in many other fields.

Do you have any additional comments about the SRTP that you'd like to share with students interested in applying?
Apply, if you get accepted, give it your all, because the people you meet, your lab mates, mentors, could become, not just valuable and inspirational people in your life, but also great connections to getting into your graduate/medical school of choice.