Drexel Psychology major Onisha Rahman recently had the opportunity to participate in the nation’s largest student-run research conference. The National Collegiate Research Conference (NCRC), held at annually Harvard University, provides a platform for undergraduate students to share their interest in research.  

“We strongly believe that student researchers have the ability to make meaningful and significant contributions in all fields of study,” according to the Harvard College Undergraduate Research Association (HCURA), the conference’s host organization. “Students are not only engaging in research earlier in their careers, but they are also participating in increasing numbers. In light of this positive growth, we have identified the urgent need for a cohesive undergraduate research community.”  

This year's conference featured 500 students from over 100 universities worldwide, bringing together both established researchers and those just starting out in their fields for a three-day dialogue exploring the current research environment. 

"It was an honor to attend Harvard's National Collegiate Research Conference,” Rahman said. “I had the pleasure of attending multiple keynote speeches as well as panels ranging from topics of economics to AI use in therapy.”  

Rahman presented a research proposal based on their senior thesis, titled “Looking at Relationship Between Internet Usage, Non-Suicidal Self-Injury, and Emotional Regulation Difficulties,” which they are working on under the mentorship of Associate Teaching Professor of Psychological and Brain Sciences Dorothy Charbonnier, PhD.  

“The best part was being able to share a research proposal based on my senior thesis I am currently working on,” Rahman reflected. “My proposal focused on designing a study to look at the three-way relationship between adolescent internet usage, self-harming behaviors, and emotion regulation difficulties." 

Non-suicidal self-injury (NSSI) among adolescents is a rising public health concern. While previous research has found positive associations between internet usage in adolescents and their emotional regulation difficulties and NSSI, few studies look at all three variables and how they impact each other. Rahman hopes this research can help fill gaps in the literature and contribute to future interventions to combat adolescent self-harm. 

“Onisha is an initiative-taker,” according to Charbonnier. “I recognized this immediately in their first year. I knew they were unique when they gave me a self-generated syllabus detailing the objectives and resources for their Independent Study Honors Project entitled: Crisis Intervention in Schools. Onisha is one to watch for in the future!” 

At Drexel, students are encouraged to participate in research opportunities as early as their freshman year. Learn more about undergraduate research in the College of Arts and Sciences.