Wellness Wednesday: Research

I didn’t always think research was “my thing.” I loved the science fair in elementary and wearing lab coats in biology, but I never imagined myself performing research. That changed when I received an email during my sophomore year at the University of Florida. It was a call for students to join a research study on women’s reproductive health, and something about it felt important.

That study became one of the most meaningful parts of my undergraduate experience. I joined the Trust, Reconciliation, and Mindfulness Study, led by my principal investigator, Karen Coker (who just earned her PhD!). For over a year, I contributed to work focused on healthcare distrust. The best part? The study is now being reviewed for publication, a full-circle moment I never saw coming.

After UF, I joined the Clinical Research Internship Study Program (CRISP) at the Mayo Clinic. This wasn’t just another research experience; it was my introduction to healthcare through the social work lens.

Mayo CRISP Orientation

I worked in the transplant social workers department with my research partner, Salma Drew. Together, we examined the differences between two psychosocial evaluation tools used in transplant decision-making: the SIPAT and the PACT. We even earned a scholarship to present our findings at the Society of Transplant Social Workers Conference in Madison, Wisconsin.

That entire experience taught me something important: research isn’t about being the most intelligent person in the room. It’s about asking the right questions and caring about the answers.

Why It Matters

Research opens doors. It introduces you to mentors, builds confidence, and gives you a seat at tables you might not have known existed. It’s also deeply human. Every data point represents a lived experience, and that’s why it matters.

I want more students to feel empowered to pursue research. It doesn’t have to be in a wet lab with pipettes. My projects were dry-lab-based, meaning I mainly worked with data and literature. And I loved it. It helped me see how data-driven decision-making directly connects to the work I want to do in healthcare administration.

How CROWN Is Taking Action

Research is one of the five pillars of CROWN of Health for a reason. It helps us understand gaps, identify solutions, and advocate for meaningful change. That’s why I want to encourage more students to participate in studies, start their own, or, at the very least, stay curious.

Because when we center real experiences in our research, we build healthcare systems that serve people.

Get Involved

Whether you’re a student, teacher, parent, or advocate, there’s a place for you here.

• DM me “CROWN” to get on our email list for events, volunteer opportunities, and research studies.

• Want to bring The Not-So-Perfect Garden Project to your school or community space? Let’s make it happen.

• Or just follow along every Wednesday and share these posts to help spread the word.

Together, we’re planting seeds for a healthier Florida—one post, one story, and one crown at a time. 👑💚