Scientific Poster Presentation – Chloe Martinez at ADAA 2025

Author: Chloe Martinez | Major: Psychology, Sociology | Semester: Spring 2025

My undergraduate honors thesis research explores how trauma survivors, specifically those who have experienced sexual assault, may process distressing thoughts differently depending on how well-rested they are. My project, “Am I Overthinking It or Am I Just Tired: An Experimental Study on the Interplay Between Sexual Assault, Rumination, and Sleep Deprivation,” examines the relationship between trauma, rumination, and the impact of sleep loss on cognitive functioning. This work helps inform how we can better support trauma survivors through interventions that consider both cognitive and physiological well-being.

In April 2025, I had the privilege of attending the Anxiety and Depression Association of America (ADAA) Conference in Las Vegas, Nevada. I traveled with my research mentor, Dr. Ellen Leen-Feldner, and fellow members of the PETAL Laboratory at the University of Arkansas. This was a major milestone in my academic journey, as I presented my thesis at the conference’s student poster session and was able to engage with professionals, graduate students, and researchers from all over the world who are deeply invested in mental health research.

This trip directly helped me move forward with my research by giving me a platform to share my findings and receive real-time feedback from experienced psychologists. I was able to speak with experts in trauma, cognition, and behavioral sleep research – some of whom offered suggestions for future directions or asked thoughtful questions that helped me consider new dimensions to my work. For instance, several attendees pointed out the potential implications of my findings for therapeutic interventions or trauma-informed care. These conversations made it clear that my work has a place in ongoing professional discussions about how to best care for individuals dealing with trauma and sleep disturbances.

Receiving external validation and critique of my work at ADAA was both nervewracking and empowering. I had to learn how to explain complex research concepts to a variety of audiences, including clinicians, researchers, and even undergraduate students unfamiliar with my topic. One attendee, a clinical psychologist who specializes in rumination and PTSD, told me that my project was addressing “exactly the kind of research we need more of” and that my poster was the only rumination research she saw presented at the conference. That is something I will never forget. Another professional encouraged me to consider how methodological factors may influence patterns of rumination and coping after trauma, which I now plan to incorporate into future work. These moments helped me refine how I talk about my research and strengthened my confidence as a scholar.

Beyond academic learning, ADAA also offered incredible opportunities for professional development. I attended numerous scholarly talks on cutting-edge topics such as trauma processing, emotion regulation, and the role of technology in therapeutic care. Just as importantly, the conference included structured networking events and informal spaces to connect with graduate students, professors, and clinicians. I was able to ask questions about graduate school, learn about potential research collaborations, and begin building a network of people doing work I admire and aspire to contribute to.

The peer interactions were just as meaningful. Spending time with my fellow PETAL Lab members outside of the campus environment was special; we attended talks together, debriefed over meals, and encouraged each other before and after our presentations. I also met student researchers from other universities, many of whom were presenting work in similar areas. We shared ideas, talked about graduate school applications, and exchanged emails to keep in touch. It reminded me that while research can often feel solitary, it is truly a collaborative and social process.

Presenting at the ADAA Conference taught me how to step into the role of a professional. I had to answer questions on the spot, explain my study with clarity and confidence, and be open to critique. It was a crash course in scientific communication, and it taught me how to represent not only myself but also my lab and university with pride. To students who are considering attending a national research conference like ADAA: do it. It is one of the best things you can do to grow as a scholar. Prepare well, bring your curiosity, and say yes to conversations (even the ones that seem intimidating at first). Do not underestimate the power of peer support; going with a team or having lab mates there can make the experience even more rewarding.

Next for me is graduate school! I have applied and been accepted to a Clinical Psychology MA program at the University of Tulsa, where I will continue researching trauma, cognition, and sleep in vulnerable populations. My long-term goal is to become both a clinician and a researcher – to work with individuals who have experienced trauma while also contributing to the science that supports their recovery. My experience at ADAA confirmed that I belong in this field and gave me a clearer picture of the kind of scholar and person I want to be.