Presenting my poster!

Author: Danielle Fernandez | Major: Psychology | Semester: Spring 2025 

My name is Daniella Fernandez, and I am a senior undergraduate studying psychology, criminology, and sociology. From April 7^th through 9^th, I attended the National Conference on Undergraduate Research (NCUR) in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, with a group of undergraduates and staff of the Honors College. There, I presented a poster detailing my honors thesis titled, “Cannabidiol, Alcohol Use Behavior, and Shame: A Double Blind, Randomized, Placebo-Controlled Trial.” In short, my thesis examines cannabidiol (CBD) as an intervention for problematic alcohol use behavior and explores shame as a potential moderating variable. Although my hypotheses were null, I am proud to have conducted the only existing study examining shame in the context of CBD administration.

This trip was a wonderful opportunity for me to practice answering questions regarding my project. Indeed, it preceded my thesis defense by roughly two weeks, and some of the questions I was asked at the conference were discussed during my defense. For example, I was asked about my sample generalizability. My participants met 20 inclusion criteria, which resulted in a very niche set of individuals. However, these criteria were carefully outlined to reduce scientific confounds (e.g., no recent history of CBD use, not prescribed prescription medication for anxiety) and ensure participant safety (e.g., not currently pregnant or breastfeeding, no history of significant allergic condition, hypersensitivity, or allergic reactions to cannabis or cannabinoid medications). As my generalizability decreased, the rigor of control increased. This was discussed as a limitation during my defense. I was able to answer questions regarding this limitation clearly and calmly, as I had been asked about them at NCUR.

I would highly recommend attending NCUR. This is an incredible opportunity for students to get familiar with discussing their research, and therefore, increase their familiarity with it. At times, it is difficult to convey material you know extremely well; there are various nuances to any project, and it’s important to recognize what’s pertinent to discuss. Additionally, it can be a challenge to communicate a project to people outside of your field of study. I believe your level of understanding is a reflection of your ability to convey the material to a wide variety of people at different developmental levels. For this reason, NCUR is an incredible experience.

Overall, I am incredibly grateful for the opportunity to attend NCUR. I would highly recommend that other students get involved in presenting their research early; take advantage of the opportunities available to you. I’d also like to note that your project does not need to be complete in order to present it. Of course, this is dependent on the exact conference and when you begin your project. In my experience, preliminary results are acceptable, which means you can begin presenting expected results as early as your junior, or perhaps sophomore, year. Moreover, I’d recommend reaching out to professors you have an established connection with, or the staff at the Honors College, to help you find a conference to attend. They want to help you succeed, and adding these presentations to your CV will make you stand out as an exceptional researcher committed to dissemination, an important part of the scientific process.