Shiona Wijesekara is an Economics and Mathematics major who will graduate in May, 2019. She is a current URA Scholar.

Title of your research project: Determining the Impact of the REACH Initiative on High School Students. We are evaluating the pre and post impact of the mentoring program by surveying the high school students involved in the program. 

Who is your mentor(s) for your project? Mario Santo Domingo. The previous Research chair of the program found him and he has concentrated his research in behavioral psychology , so the ample knowledge was thought to be helpful for the project. 

How did you become interested in this project? I have been an active mentor on REACH for the last 2 years and very fascinated by the multiple layer contribution of the program. So I wanted to get a statistical reading that shows me the extent of the contribution of the program to college readiness, breaking the gender gap in STEM and exposing the participants to STEM options. 

What has been the hardest part about your research/what was the most unexpected thing about being a researcher? Gathering a consistent amount of data because the programs participation fluctuates every week. 

What has been the most rewarding part? I was planning in walking into pure economics research but working on this project, I realized that I want to explore behavioral research from an interdisciplinary social science perspective. 

How will you disseminate your research? URCAD presentation- April 24, 2019!

What is your advice to other students about getting involved in research? If you have the chance to get involved in research do it! You will come out with ample of knowledge and a very unique experience!

What are your career goals?  To become a researcher in Educational Economics or Environmental Economics.

Have mentor-led research and want to be featured as a UMBC Researcher of the Week? Email: aprilh@umbc.edu