Working with our SPORT project team as part of the 2021 CHILD-BRIGHT Summer Studentship Program, Rachel Willis focused on working with data collected from previous two-week camps that investigated the use of non-invasive brain stimulation combined with constraint therapy to improve hand function in children with cerebral palsy affecting one side of the body. Rachel participated in data cleaning and statistical analysis in order to contribute to a peer-reviewed manuscript. (“Cleaning” data refers to removing incomplete or invalid entries from a data set.)
Here’s what Rachel had to say about the summer student experience:
“The CHILD-BRIGHT Summer Studentship Program was an incredible opportunity for me to grow as a researcher and pursue my interest in helping children with brain-based developmental disabilities. This summer has taught me the value of hands-on experience in gaining confidence and sharpening the skill set required to conduct sound research. During my studentship, I was tasked with data cleaning and statistical analysis. With limited experience in quantitative research outside of a classroom setting, I was unsure of where to start. I took the initiative to conduct my own background research and sought support from experienced researchers on my team. In doing so, I was astounded by how quickly I developed a skill set in quantitative analysis. Through my work on a manuscript, I also had the opportunity to experience how data moves from being numbers in an Excel document to being communicated as findings in a scientific paper. This was exciting for me, as I could see how this work would be used to better inform treatment for children living with cerebral palsy.
Throughout the summer, I also participated in webinars and activities offered by the CHILD-BRIGHT Network that explored writing for different audiences, such as lay summaries compared to scientific publications. I was able to use the skills learned in these sessions to exercise my scientific communication skills in manuscript development, writing abstracts and project summaries, and designing infographics. Reflecting on the beginning of the summer compared to where I am now, I can see how I have significantly improved my writing. Through the program, I also learned that communication to different audiences is a critical skill for effective patient-oriented research. It is important to consider how information reaches all stakeholders to understand the priorities that matter to patients and where researchers can have the biggest impact. The set of skills I have built will be incredibly important as I begin and move through my career in research.
Prior to this summer, I knew I wanted to pursue a career in pediatric disability research. This experience has reaffirmed this passion, while also showing me the different career paths I could take to achieve this goal. Having recently completed my undergraduate degree, I am coming out of this experience inspired by the incredible work being done and all the possibilities open to me to make an impact.”