Jonathan Griffin Perry
Jonathan Griffin Perry (they/them) is an 3rd year undergraduate at George Mason University studying psychology. They currently serve as a lab manager in Dr. Natasha Tonges’ Trust and Interpersonal Disclosure Lab. Their passions lie in research and advocacy for underserved populations, particularly queer men of color.
George Mason University
Session
Prior to graduate programs in psychology or related fields, undergraduates are expected to have a strong background in research. However, developing research skills depends on the experiences offered at their institution, which are often limited. This lack of opportunities may stem from advisors and mentors not having the bandwidth, time, and resources to support novice student researchers. One possible solution is to implement a hierarchical lab model where more senior undergraduates support and mentor junior students, thereby reducing faculty workload while expanding access to research training. Through this hackathon, we will identify which research products (e.g., posters, manuscripts) are best suited for peer mentorship and how to implement these models while maintaining research quality within a researcher's respective lab. Attendees will leave with new insights and strategies for implementing a peer-mentor system in their labs.