David van Wagenen

Background

About David van Wagenen

I just graduated from the University of Colorado Colorado Springs (UCCS) with a Bachelor of Arts degree with Honors in Psychology. I plan to become a Doctor of Audiology. I am currently volunteering as a Research Assistant at UCCS under the supervision of Dr. Lori James. My passion is to help those in need within the field of psychology. I am currently seeking a paid Research Assistant position or a paid Psychometrist position to expand my knowledge and help me prepare for graduate school. As a Registered Behavior Technician, I gathered data on my clients throughout each session and proceeded to fill out paperwork using the collected information. By the end of each session, I would submit paperwork, as well as a write-up summarizing each session’s events. Before submitting, I would always check for accuracy and substantial detail. On top of this, working with children in this field has taught me how to be respectful of confidentiality, as well as understand the concepts behind HIPAA. I learned how to quickly and accurately implement behavior plans for each client. I learned how to be patient, and I grew in my compassion for those struggling. As a Research Assistant, I prepared and conducted a research project testing how a mindful breathing exercise affects language production to serve as my honor’s thesis study with help from my mentor. I developed study materials and recruited participants via email, telephone, and the UCCS Sona system. I tested young and older adult participants virtually (via Zoom calls). I scored and analyzed data using Statistical Packages for the Social Sciences (SPSS). I helped with various other lab activities and participated in lab meetings. In the future, I hope that I can continue to improve the lives of others as I pursue my dream of becoming an audiologist.