Emme Reid Headshot
Author: Emme Reid | Major: Psychology, Public Health | Semester: Spring 2025
My name is Emme Reid, an undergraduate honors student at the University of Arkansas studying in two colleges: the William J. Fulbright College of Arts and Sciences for psychology and the College of Education and Health Professions for public health. Following my anticipated graduation in Fall 2025, I plan on applying to clinical psychology programs to further my education and scope of understanding. This past semester, I have been gifted the opportunity to conduct undergraduate research under the guide of my mentor, Dr. Jennifer Veilleux. I will continue to conduct research in the upcoming semester, after which I will present and defend my honors thesis.
Reading that made me realize how organized and planned I sound, but I promise you that was not the case a few years ago! Like a professional procrastinator, I waited until the last possible semester to join a research lab. I frantically reached out to a few different psychology labs, and finally secured an interview. My interview was going amazing, until we got to the part about having a scheduling conflict. “Oh no! What am I going to do?” I thought to myself quietly, unsuccessfully trying to not let my fear and disappointment show. Sensing my regret (like any great psychologist does), the interviewer pointed me in the direction of Dr. Veilleux’s lab, the Treating Emotional and Motivational Processes Transdiagnostically, or TEMPT lab.
Little did I know, this would be one of the best things to happen to me in college. After interviewing with Dr. V (as we like to call her), I had finally secured a position in a research lab! Through weekly lab meetings and getting to know more about Dr. V’s research, I began to be fascinated by psychological research. I never imagined I would be so drawn in, and I thought my research experience would just be a something to check off of my to-do list. The exposure to research Dr. V provided me drew me in so much I changed my career plans. I originally wanted to go to medical school, but I knew that I found my purpose in the psychology, and my home in the TEMPT lab. The drive and passion I’ve discovered provided me with a solid foundation to begin conducting my own research.
My research interests are primarily focused on the psychology of eating and eating disorders, along with some interest in the fields of substance abuse and addiction. I have also recently become interested in the science of emotion, and am astonished by how something as complex and subjective as emotion could be conceptually defined and scientifically measured. I knew I wanted my thesis to incorporate as many of my research interests as possible. Meeting after meeting, Dr. V and I brainstormed and crafted my thesis study. Dr. V provided me with consistently invaluable feedback, and without her I would not be the researcher, student, or person I am today.
The research I am conducting centers around the social contagion of disordered eating. To put it in simpler terms, I am interested in how individuals’ eating habits and behaviors are influenced by their friend group and social setting. I plan on continuing data collection for my honors thesis this upcoming semester, and will defend around November. Looking back, what started as a panicked search for research opportunities became one of the most transformative parts of my undergraduate experience. I am beyond grateful to Dr. V and the TEMPT lab, which have provided me with support, clarity, and direction. As I prepare for this chapter of my life to close and a new one to begin, I am excited to approach it with curiosity, confidence, and creativity.