Mind Travelers: Psych & Neuroscience Students Sharpen Skills and Network at Distinguished Conferences

Students find the confidence to call themselves ‘scientists’ 

Dr. Timothy Schoenfeld, associate professor of psychology within the College of Sciences & Mathematics, is challenging the notion that student participation within top scientific conferences should be reserved for graduate students.

Much like Dr. Esteban Parra Rodriguez and computer science, Schoenfeld and the psychological sciences department at Belmont are making conference attendance and presentations readily accessible for their undergraduate students. 

Each year, approximately 40 Belmont students from the psychological sciences and neuroscience programs travel to conferences across North America. While attending, students not only learn about cutting-edge research and advancements in the industry, but often present their own research conducted in class, summer research programs or through independent study. 

"Consensus or textbook information is usually dated because it takes years, often decades, to develop scientific truths," said Schoenfeld. "At a conference, people are presenting brand new science, so it's a way to see how the field is expanding beyond just the foundational things we cover in class." 

The group dynamic of traveling to conferences creates additional value for students. While exploring cities such as New York, San Diego and Toronto, they build lasting friendships and professional networks. 

“I also think there is ‘safety in numbers’ at the conference, where students feel more comfortable approaching a poster and talking to scientists when they have ‘backup,’” continued Schoenfeld. “Having others around helps them get more out of the experience than if they were just a solo, passive observer.” 

Conferences also present opportunities for students to challenge their own self-perceptions and grow in confidence as researchers. 

Schoenfeld detailed an instance in which one student struggling to call themself a scientist was initially uncomfortable approaching an MIT researcher at a poster session. After engaging in conversation, the student’s mindset shifted and they later secured a research assistant position in the same MIT lab. They are now pursuing a Ph.D. 

Senior Sinead C. Mukolo-Villegas joined the Belmont Summer Scholars in 2023 and never imagined her research would take her to an international conference in Toronto. 

This experience motivated Mukolo-Villegas to continue presenting her research. She is now preparing to present at the Cognitive Neuroscience Society conference in Boston where she will discuss her independent research project on the relationship between physiological health and cognitive performance in college students. 

Likewise, senior Caroline Avery emphasized how these conferences allow students to make connections outside the Belmont community.

Avery previously presented her independent research conducted with Dr. Adam Smiley on how church attendance and out-partisan exposure predict levels of political polarization at the Eastern Psychological Association’s (EPA) annual meeting in New York. She will present again at EPA in 2025. 

Through these experiences at conferences, Belmont’s psychology and neuroscience students are not only honing their presentation skills and growing in confidents as researchers, but strengthening foundations for successful careers in science.