Through my time in my undergraduate program, I served as a research assistant to Dr. Hea Jin Park. Dr. Park is an associate professor of nutrition in the College of Family and Consumer Sciences. The goal of the research projects I assisted in includes determining which forms of probiotics yield the most desirable results when used in a prenatal context. In order to achieve this, a sow model was used. Each pregnant sow was given a treatment group of a different form of probiotic. Part of my responsibility as an undergraduate assistant is to ensure that the proper treatment is administered to the correct subject during feeding hours, which is usually in the morning. After the sows farrow and the piglets are born, the piglets must be handled and habituated in preparation for the behavioral analysis exams.
Primary Care Office Volunteer
In working closely with the office manager at St. Mary’s Primary Care, I gained insight into how healthcare providers manage patient care in an outpatient setting. I observed the importance of clear communication between staff and patients, the role of organization in maintaining medical records and scheduling, and how routine visits often serve as opportunities to address both immediate concerns and long-term health needs. This experience helped me understand the daily operations of a medical practice and the collaborative effort required to support patients’ overall well-being.
Kindergarten After-School Tutor
I volunteered as an after-school tutor to elementary school children in a local Athens community. Many, if not all, of these students are primarily Spanish speaking. I worked closely with 1-2 kindergarteners at a time, rotating between reading skills, math skills, and homework assigned from school.Establishing a personal relationship was crucial in managing to get the kindergarteners to complete tasks that they typically would not enjoy completing.
Suzanne Cook 