Albany State student to conduct speech therapy research at University of Maryland, College Park

Graduating senior admitted to Summer Research Initiative program

ALBANY, Ga. – Albany State University theatre student, Krista Barrett, will engage in speech therapy research this summer at the University of Maryland, College Park, one of the country’s leading research institutions.

The Summer Research Initiative (SRI) is being held from June 5 to July 28 on the university’s campus. Barrett, a graduating senior, will explore principles related to the social, behavioral and economic sciences.

At Albany State University, Barrett conducted research regarding acting techniques to improve minority children’s language deficiencies.  Her research for the ASU Undergraduate Research Program concerns communication effectiveness and evaluates Albany’s January 2017 Tornado Warning Procedures.  Barrett was the only student in the ASU Undergraduate Research Program awarded the Community-Based Participatory Project.

"I am truly honored and excited to have been selected to participate in the University of Maryland's Summer Research Initiative,” Barrett said. “I look forward to gaining knowledge, special skill sets and experience geared toward my career while in the program. I am especially thankful to Dr. Florence Lyons who has been a tremendous help to me throughout the application process."

Barrett will work closely with Jan Edwards, a professor in the Department of Hearing and Speech Sciences and Director of the Language Sciences Center at the University of Maryland, College Park.

The SRI recruits undergraduate juniors and seniors from four-year institutions around the country who are interested in pursuing graduate study in one of the behavioral or social sciences.

“This is a wonderful opportunity for Krista,” said Florence Lyons, ASU Professor of Speech and Coordinator of the Speech and Theatre division. “Since Krista would like to pursue a Ph.D. at the University of Maryland, College Park, the program will allow her to become more familiar with the

The Summer Research Initiative was created in 1999 by the Office of the Dean in the College of Behavioral and Social Sciences and supports the University of Maryland’s commitment to increasing the number of underrepresented minorities who pursue graduate degrees in the social, behavioral and economic sciences at the university. According to 2016 data from the magazine Diverse: Issues in Higher Education, the university ranks 12th in the country in the number of graduate and professional degrees awarded and 28th in the number of undergraduate degrees awarded to underrepresented minority students.

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About Albany State University …
Albany State University, in Southwest Georgia, has been a catalyst for change in the region from its inception as the Albany Bible and Manual Training Institute to its designation as a university. Founded in 1903 to educate African-American youth, the university continues to fulfill its historic mission while also serving the educational needs of an increasingly diverse student population. A progressive institution, Albany State University seeks to foster the growth and development of the region, state and nation through teaching, research, creative expression and public service. Through its collaborative efforts, the university responds to the needs of all of its constituents and offers educational programs and service to improve the quality of life in Southwest Georgia. For more information, see http://www.asurams.edu. Follow the university on Twitter at @AlbanyStateUniv and on Facebook at Albany State University Official Page.