Me, standing in front of my poster “¿Quién es el Hombre de Familia? ” at NEEPS 2025

Author: Jimena Martinez Zarraga | Major: Psychology, Political Science | Semester: Summer 2025

I am Jimena Martinez Zarraga–a junior Psychology and a Political Science major with a minor in Spanish for Heritage Speakers. As a research assistant in Dr. Mitch Brown’s SPHERE lab, my honors thesis will discuss cultural nuances in evolutionary psychology. My goal is to apply my cultural background to a deficit in evolutionary psychology literature then apply my learning to a career in which I can advocate for minorities.

From June 9 through June 11, 2025, I attended the Northeastern Evolutionary Psychology Society (NEEPS) Conference that took place in Atlantic City, New Jersey. The conference aims to foster an environment in which undergraduate and graduate students can present and advance research in the field of evolutionary behavioral science. Dr. Mitch Brown–a Chair member of NEEPS and the Principal Investigator of his SPHERE lab at the University of Arkansas–asked me to the conference as a research assistant from his lab. He wanted me to gain academic development in the field and present research I had conducted in the lab. I eagerly agreed, and I was excited to both present my work and travel to the eastern coast of the United States for the first time.

After two plane rides and two train rides, I arrived in Atlantic City. I was struck by the city’s bold personality that was highlighted in its buzzing boardwalks and gritty charm. I found the same energy at NEEPS where the vibrant atmosphere encouraged an engaging academic experience that embraces eccentricity. For the first notion of business, me and some of my labmates attended the Feminist Evolutionary Psychology Society Meeting. To be frank, as a woman in evolutionary psychology, it can feel as if gender differences that arise in data are ignored or are left without nuance, and FEPS aims to bridge such gaps. The meeting was composed of presentations that evaluated the role of women in human evolution, challenged previous findings, and called attention to under-studied areas in the field. As someone who aims to conduct research on the psychological experience of underrepresented populations, the meeting was insightful as to how evolutionary psychology can teach us about non-heteronormative and multicultural populations.

During the poster session, I presented my poster in a long hall in which professors and students from around the globe walked by to view students’ work. My poster was about perceived formidability of Latino men based on the facial width-to-height (fWHR) ratio of the target. This research aimed to find how machismo–a deep pride in masculinity that asserts the dominance of men–influences Latino stereotypes while simultaneously addressing a need for culturally nuanced psychological research on minority populations. In essence, my findings stated that Latino men were viewed as more formidable than White men. The study also found interesting interactions between variables that reflected varying perceptions that were based on racial stereotypes. I was excited to present my findings at NEEPS because there would be many attendees with culturally diverse backgrounds that could give me feedback on my research.

The session was approximately an hour and half of casual engagement with the attendees. Viewers would walk and glance at the posters, and if there was someone that looked particularly interested in my data, I would ask if they wanted my elevator speech or if they had any questions. As the session progressed, I gained more confidence in my pitch and in how I answered questions. I received valuable advice, tips, and had meaningful conversations with like-minded faculty and students that specialized or were interested in similar topics of research. For example, one researcher provided me a point of contact for obtaining a large enough Latine population for my projects that focus specifically on Latine psychological well-being.

Networking was strongly encouraged at NEEPS, so I also connected with various researchers in my field. Faculty members were friendly and eager to answer any questions. Atthe student lunch, we received tips on how to navigate academia as undergrad and graduate students from first-hand experiences. As someone who does not know anyone in my personal life that has attended grad school, these conversations helped create a clearer image of what it means to be in grad school, how to apply, and how to find research opportunities. Overall, the supportive environment made it easier to ask questions, share ideas, and feel a sense of belonging within the academic community. I also connected with other students, specifically from the East Coast and Canada, through our experiences as students in evolutionary psychology. As we exchanged how we became researchers, shared our current projects, and discussed our goals, I discovered a sense of mutual support and community.

NEEPS was an excellent first conference due to its casual-but-formal setting that welcomes all levels of research. After my experience with NEEPS, I feel more confident in the direction of my research through tools I picked up during presentations and networking. I also feel more grounded in the field after feeling lost in regards to how my research fits into the field. Furthermore, the Jersey Shore backdrop added a unique charm to the conference. The mix of academic conversation and the boardwalk atmosphere made the experience memorable and fun. Overall, my time in Atlantic City was a valuable and formative experience that contributed to my personal growth and academic development. As I write my honors thesis and apply to graduate school in the future, I will thank myself for having made various professional connections and taken interested in their research at NEEPS 2025.