RA Testimonials Meet Our Research Assistants: Spotlights & Reflections Discover what it’s like to be an RA in Project DUAL through video spotlights and personal reflections from our team. RA Spotlight Series Alexa Frias Spring 2026 • Spanish Research Assistant Psychology major Alexa reflects on her experience in Project DUAL and how it helped her explore research. She talks about working in multiple roles within the project, and gained skills in communication, organization, and collaboration. She shares how the project helped her feel more connected to the UT community and broadened her understanding of how much teamwork and behind-the-scenes work research involves. Outside the lab, she mentors incoming Liberal Arts Honors students, volunteers as a reading buddy for elementary students, and participates in a student organization focused on reducing loneliness on campus. She encourages future RAs to stay curious, ask questions, and take advantage of the opportunities that research offers. Emma Xiao Fall 2025 • English Research Assistant Business Analytics major Emma reflects on her 3+ years in the Project, where she explored multiple roles, starting on Daily Surveys, moving into Literature Review, and eventually leading the Social Media team. She shares how the Project taught her that research is more than data collection. It’s teamwork, communication, and the behind-the-scenes work that keeps everything running. Emma talks about how these experiences helped her grow in leadership and time management while preparing for medical school. She also shares how she found community within the lab, balances everything through swimming, and offers advice to future RAs and aspiring medical students about prioritizing what matters, avoiding burnout, and choosing work they genuinely care about. Danette Hidalgo Fall 2025 • Spanish Research Assistant Psychology major Danette shares her experience in the Project, from becoming a transcription team lead to being an afterschool program coordinator. She shares about how the project shaped her confidence, leadership, and view of research, and how it shaped her interest in clinical social work. Danette also reflects on giving back to bilingual communities, gaining public speaking skills, and offers advice for future RAs considering the project. Katherine Zubiaur Fall 2025 • Spanish Research Assistant Senior psychology major Katherine shares her experience working in two research labs, including Project DUAL. In this project, her roles consist of data cleaning and coding on the transcription team and coordinating presentation reminders, improving her communication, organization, and data skills. Her experiences also shaped her goal to pursue a master’s degree in industrial organizational psychology. Jimena Balderas-Berg Fall 2025 • Spanish Research Assistant Jimena reflects on being chosen as the first RA of the Month and how asking questions, doing detailed transcription work, and connecting with the Project DUAL community helped her strengthen her attention to detail and time-management skills while balancing another lab. RA Reflections RA Experiences in Project DUAL and Working With Dr. Kim “I really enjoyed working with Project SEED/DUAL. It was a great experience, and I really admire all [Dr. Kim has] done and built for such a meaningful and underrepresented field. Thank you so much, Dr. Kim!” — Lucia Olaechea Business & Economics, Class of 2028 “I sincerely thank Dr. Kim for being such a kind and encouraging mentor throughout my time as a research assistant. I’ve truly loved learning from her and the team, and I deeply admire the work she does around language brokering. It’s been both inspiring and meaningful to be part of this work.” — Devanie Valdez-Bastida College of Natural Sciences, Class of 2028 “Participating in this project was an amazing experience, especially through Dr. Kim’s mentorship. As someone who grew up bilingual, I realized that being bilingual has influenced aspects of my life I had never expected. I am thankful to have learned so much about what research involves, along with the skills that I continue to apply beyond the project. I’m also grateful for the opportunity to join a supportive community and connect with the team. Knowing that this work can positively impact future generations in America made the experience even more rewarding. I’m truly thankful to have been part of it.” — Andy Ho Biochemistry, Class of 2027 “I got into and accepted an offer for [a] Master of Arts, Psychology in Education program beginning this fall! I sincerely appreciate all of the time and effort [Dr.Kim] put into supporting me through the early research process, providing me with research opportunities at an early stage of my undergraduate career, meeting with me to talk about my work and interests, and writing numerous letters of recommendation for me. Thank you [Dr. Kim] once again for supporting me through such an important academic and professional period and for making these next steps possible. I look forward to sharing my journey with [Dr. Kim] as I continue my education and reach my goals.” — Aaryana Sharma Psychology Major, Class of 2026 “I got into the [xxx] clinical psych program, thank you [Dr. Kim] for the wisdom and the amazing letter you wrote (heard back from the PI). Undoubtably grateful for your support!” — Miranda Nava Psychology Major, Class of 2026 “I would also like to say thank you [Dr.Kim] for writing a letter of recommendation for medical school. I was just accepted to Medical School. I truly could not have done it without your help. Thank you [Dr.Kim] for giving the opportunity to contribute to Project SEED and Project DUAL.” — Clayton Xu Neuroscience and Psychology, Class of 2026 “I got into my top 2 schools [for my Masters], and both with scholarships!! Thank you [Dr. Kim] so much for being a part of this process!! I really appreciate the time and dedication on my letter of recommendation.” — Ivanna Lomelin Psychology Major, Class of 2026 “Thank you [Dr. Kim] so much for the opportunity, I really learned a lot and I enjoyed being part of Project Dual!” — Monserrat Grangeno Speech, Language, and Hearing, Class of 2026 “It has been a valuable experience being a part of the program, and I appreciated the support throughout. Running discussion sections and handling the interview scheduling team has taught me a lot about leadership, helping me gain new skills and build confidence that I will take with me in future pursuits. Thank you [Dr. Kim] again for the time and effort you put into making this experience meaningful. I’m grateful for the opportunity and will definitely take what I have learned with me moving forward.” — Snit Kidane Human Development and Family Sciences, Class of 2026 “I just wanted to say a genuine thank you for all of [Dr. Kim]’s guidance this past semester. I’m really grateful I got to learn from [her]. Not only did I pick up so many important skills, but I also walked away with a much better understanding of what research really looks like in practice. This was my first real research experience, and I’m honestly so glad it was through [her] class. [Dr. Kim] made the environment feel approachable and that meant a lot. I’ve recently started working in a wet lab, and I truly don’t think I would’ve had the confidence to take that step without what I learned from [her] mentorship. I appreciate it more than you know.” — Manal Z. Saad Public Health, Class of 2026 “After 7 interviews this application cycle I got accepted into medical school today! Thank you [Dr. Kim] for playing such a large role in my journey towards this acceptance!” — Sadaf Khajeh Biochemistry, Class of 2025 “I want to say thank you to Dr. Kim, [I am] genuinely grateful and appreciative for [her]. I could not have gotten accepted into my dream master’s program and achieved all of this without [Dr.Kim].” — Kristy Reynolds Biology with a minor in Social and Behavioral Sciences, Class of 2024
