Join the ICDL Team
Working as a research assistant in the Infant Cognitive Development Lab (ICDL) can be a fun and rewarding experience! If you are interested in completing Field Experience or Research Experience at the ICDL, fill out our ICDL Research Assistant Application form and email it to NDSU.Infant.Research@ndsu.edu, or drop it off at Dr. Rebecca Woods' office (EML 283A) or at the lab (SGC, Room C109).
As a Research Assistant You May:
Spring 2019 ICDL Team
BEING A BABY LAB SUPERVISOR
Supervisors in the lab are graduate students or highly motivated, high performing undergraduate students who have been in the lab for several semesters. Gaining experience as a research lab supervisor looks great on a graduate school application! |
UNDERGRADUATE STUDENTS
Undergraduate students may work as research assistants for HDFS field experience (HDFS 196/496) or Psychology research experience (PSYC 494) credit at NDSU. Talk with your advisor about these options and fill out our application. Students applying for HDFS 196 or 496 should fill out a Field Experience Application and submit it to the Field Experience Coordinator. UNDERGRADUATE RESEARCH Undergraduate students who have worked in the lab for at least one semester and are interested in conducting their own research through an honors thesis or other course credit can meet with Dr. Woods to discuss ideas. Infant research can take many years, so starting early is important. GRADUATE STUDENTS Priority is given to graduate students in the NDSU Developmental Science doctoral program. For more information about the Developmental Science program visit the Developmental Science doctoral program page. To learn more about Dr. Woods as a graduate advisor, visit her faculty page or watch her video. Other graduate students may obtain a graduate assistantship working in the lab if they have prior experience working with infants or toddlers. |
ICDL Research Assistant Alumni
Research assistants who have worked in the lab have gone on to do some amazing things in a variety of jobs.
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Rachel Pfenning
Rachel worked in the lab for three years, where she held the roles of: Observer, Recorder, Experimenter, and Supervisor. She graduated from North Dakota State University in 2016 with her BS in Psychology and a minor in Chemistry. She followed this by earning her MA in Public Health at Capella University. Rachel hopes to continue her education and has recently been applying for Physician Assistant programs. She is currently a Cardiovascular Monitoring Technician. She works alongside a diverse, multidisciplinary team of anesthesiologists, surgeons, physician assistants, and nurses while assisting with surgical and outpatient procedures. She aids in both the operating room and outpatient settings and contributes to the administration of local anesthetic nerve blocks, the placement of arterial lines and central lines, the placement and operation of intra-aortic balloon pumps, Impellas, and Swan-Ganz catheters, as well as the operation of autologous blood transfusion Cell Saver machines. |
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Lynae Hemming Lynae worked in the lab for two years (2010-2012); while in lab she held the role of Recorder and Supervisor. Lynae also had the opportunity to work on her senior thesis research while in lab. She graduated from North Dakota State University with a MA in Counseling in 2015 and obtained a Doctorate in Counselor Education and Supervision in 2018. Since Graduating, she now works as a Counselor and Counselor Educator in the Intensive Outpatient Program at the Village Family Service Center. Lynae typically works with children and families. |
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Hali Haugen Hali worked in the lab for a year and a half (4 semesters); where she held the roles of: Recorder, Experimenter, and Supervisor. Hali got her B.S. in Psychology and Human Development and Family Science at North Dakota State University. She is currently a Degree Analyst in the Office of Registration and Records at NDSU. Her role there is to determine degree progress and graduation eligibility of undergraduate students. Hali also reviews and maintains student records for accuracy and conducts record audits to evaluate satisfactory progress. |
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Britni Haugen Britni worked in the lab for two years where she held the roles of: Experimenter and Supervisor. She received her BS in Psychology from North Dakota State University. Britni recently completed her MA of Science degree in Special Education with specialization in Autism Spectrum Disorders from the University of North Dakota. She is currently a Paraeducator at Prairie St. John’s; where she helps students, grades k-12, with their schoolwork while they receive services from Prairie St. John’s. Britni is also a Direct Support Professional and her role entails providing support to children with ASD and assisting with fostering their independence. |
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Aubrey Sieberg Aubrey worked in the lab for two years (2012-2013), working as a Research Assistant for the first year, and Supervisor for her second year! Aubrey got her BS in Psychology with a minor in Biological Sciences at North Dakota State University in 2013. Next, she obtained her MA in Forensic Psychology at UND. Wrapping up her educational career, Aubrey received her PsyD in Clinical Psychology from the School of Professional Psychology in Chicago. Aubrey is currently a Pre-Doctoral Psychology intern at the Southeast Human Service Center in Fargo where she does a variety of psychological assessments (risk, parental, and general) and individual/group therapy. |
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Jena Schuler Jena worked in the lab for three years (2009-2012); where she held the roles of: Recorder, Supervisor, and was later hired as Lab Manager. Jena went to North Dakota State University and received her BS in Psychology and Human Development & Family Sciences. She continued her educational career, by receiving her MA in Forensic Psychology from the University of North Dakota. Jena is currently a Guardian Ad Litem for the state of Minnesota. |
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Becky Meidinger Rebecca worked in the infant research lab for two years during her undergraduate studies at NDSU. During that time she started working as a research assistant and then moved up to Head Recorder for the lab. After graduating from NDSU with a Bachelor's of Science in Psychology, she completed a Master's of Science in Counseling with a concentration in School Counseling from the University of Mary. She currently is a school counselor at Fargo South High School, while also working on a Ph.D. in Counselor Education and Supervision from Adams State University in Alamosa, CO. |
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Lindsey Cernik Lindsey spent two years as a member of the ICDL research team in multiple roles, including Observer and Experimenter. After completing her Bachelor of Science Degree in Psychology, she stayed at North Dakota State University to complete her Master of Education Degree in Clinical Mental Health Counseling, with a concentration in Student Affairs. Lindsey is currently a Success Coach in Career Services at the University of North Dakota. In this role, she helps students with various professional concerns, teaches and is an advisor to students who have not declared a major. Additionally, she serves on several University committees and conducts research focused on the undeclared student population and graduate student success. |
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Caitlin Muller Caitlin (Van Voorhis) worked in the lab for five years (2012-2017); where she held the roles of: Observer, Experimenter, Supervisor and was later hired as Lab Manager. Caitlin received her BS in Psychology at North Dakota State University. She then continued her education and earned her MA of Education in Clinical Mental Health Counseling. Caitlin is currently working as a Licensed Professional Clinical Counselor at an Outpatient Pediatric Therapy clinic in Bismarck, ND. She provides counseling services to children, but also works with the adult population. Caitlin mainly utilizes Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy mixed with Play Therapy techniques! |
RA Alumni, let us know what you're up to! Email us at ndsu.infant.research@ndsu.edu and we'll add your information to our page.
North Dakota State University | Human Development and Family Science Department
Mailing Address: NDSU Department 2615 | PO Box 6050 | Fargo, ND 58108-6050
701-231-8268 | www.ndsu.edu/hdfs
Mailing Address: NDSU Department 2615 | PO Box 6050 | Fargo, ND 58108-6050
701-231-8268 | www.ndsu.edu/hdfs
