MCLA to Hold 20th Annual Undergraduate Research Conference April 21
NORTH ADAMS, MASS.— On Thursday April 21, 2022, Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts will hold the 20th Annual Undergraduate Research Conference (URC) to recognize students for their hard work and dedication in producing outstanding academic projects. This all-day event will feature a student poster session, individual presentations, and group work that encompasses the time and dedication MCLA’s students have put into their academic endeavors in the past academic year.
The undergraduate research experience at MCLA encompasses a wide range of activities, from formal clinical studies to managing a publication like the MCLA Beacon, to artistic works and beyond. During the URC, students will present academic and creative work, and the conference is open to students of all disciplines. The URC is a great way for members of the media to get a sense of the depth and breadth of scholarly work going on at MCLA.
To find out more, visit www.mcla.edu/urc.
During the URC luncheon, MCLA alumnae Rose Mastico ’18 will give the keynote lecture. Mastico, who currently works as a User Experience (UX) researcher at Geode Capital Management in Boston, earned her bachelor’s degree in psychology at MCLA (graduating summa cum laude) and went on to complete a Masters in Experimental Psychology in Washington State.
About Rose Mastico
With a heavy focus in neuroscience, she studied the conscious mind and emotions, completing both a senior thesis at MCLA and a master’s thesis on the subject. Believing she wanted to fast track into a PhD program, Rose went to a master’s program that set her up for that track. One year into the program, however, she found a craving for a more dynamic approach to psychological research. Through trial and error, she soon found the field of User Experience Research.
Four months out of her master’s program, she landed an independent contractor gig working as a UX Researcher for a small robotics startup company based in Armenia and Los Angeles, California. The startup introduced her to a career in tech, where she worked with consumers to understand their needs in relation to her company’s product. From there, she learned that tech has no boundaries and can be found in a variety of businesses. She moved into her current position in November 2021 after a year working in the startup world. Although her company is a financial asset company, it has a thriving technology team that Rose is a part of. The company is on the forefront of creating cutting edge financial management systems and Rose’s job is to make sure the design of the system is supported by unbiased and intentional research. This year, she is working toward a managerial position where she will lead product development and a future team of UX researchers.
In her free time, Rose enjoys staying close to friends and family in MA and exploring new parts of the city of Boston. She has recently taken on a new role as an aunt and is starting out as enthusiastic mentor to students who are looking to break into new research fields.
About MCLA:
At MCLA, we’re here for all — and focused on each — of our students. Classes are taught by educators who care deeply about teaching, and about seeing their students thrive on every level of their lives. In nearly every way possible, the experience at MCLA is designed to elevate our students as individuals, as leaders, communicators, fully empowered to make their impressions on the world. In addition to our 127-year commitment to public education, we have fortified our commitment to equitable academic excellence. For nine of the last 11 years, MCLA has been named a Top Ten College by U.S. News and World Report. MCLA also appears on the organization’s list of top National Public Liberal Arts Colleges. Since the list was created, MCLA has risen to #21 as a Top Performer on Social Mobility and ranks first among all Massachusetts schools, which measures how well schools graduate students who receive Federal Pell Grants.
Learn more at www.mcla.edu.