Published on Aug. 8, 2024
The Cherng Summer Scholars program allows Honors College students at the University of Missouri to explore their passions through research projects aimed at questions they are interested in analyzing. Students who are accepted into the nine-week program participate in projects that are individually designed, with the support and mentorship of a Mizzou faculty member.
This year, there are 12 Cherng Summer Scholars. Meet Ava Roderick, a senior philosophy and psychology double major.
Question: Which faculty member are you working with on your research?
Answer: I am working primarily with Nicole Campione-Barr, a professor of psychological sciences, in her Family Relationships and Adolescent Development Laboratory. I am also working with Philip Robbins, an associate professor of philosophy.
Question: What is the focus of your research?
Answer: My research focuses on adults’ – specifically parents’ and non-parents’ – perceptions of childhood transgressions, based on the type of transgression and the age of the child.
Question: What interested you in this specific project?
Answer: During my time at Mizzou, I became very interested in psychology, particularly social and developmental psychology, as well as philosophy. I started this project last year during my participation in the McNair Scholars Program, and I had discussed my vast interest in pursuing research that intertwines the two subject matters. Dr. Campione-Barr and Dr. Robbins were very helpful in the process and have helped me to build this study from the ground up.
Question: How nice has it been to be part of the Cherng Summer Scholars program?
Answer: The Cherng Summer Scholars program has been a wonderful experience! It was amazing getting the opportunity to finish data collection for this study; to get more insight into poster presentations, abstracts and the like; and to obtain more clarity on my research interests and graduate school goals.