Anna-li Bateman ’26: Summer Research Assistant at University of Alabama at Birmingham

I was a research assistant in Dr. Catheryn Orihuela's lab in the Department of Family and Community Medicine at UAB. The lab's main project—the UAB Food Study—examines how food insecurity affects health among chronically ill patients, with the goal of identifying barriers to nutrition and improving access through community-based research. 

I supported both quantitative and qualitative data collection during Phase I of the study. The quantitative portion examined associations between food insecurity, health outcomes, and dietary behaviors using survey data. The qualitative portion explored the lived experiences of food-insecure adults and the barriers they face in accessing adequate nutrition. Toward the end of the summer, I also began supporting Phase II, which uses findings from Phase I to inform a health coaching intervention for 30 participants.

This experience reinforced my passion for applied psychological research and confirmed my interest in pursuing a Ph.D. in clinical psychology. I especially valued engaging directly with participants and connecting research to real-world impact. 

Over the summer, I strengthened my skills in qualitative interviewing, thematic analysis, participant recruitment, and community-based methods. My favorite part was building trust with participants and learning from their stories—an experience that shaped both my academic goals and personal values.

Internship funded by Shelley A. Hearne '83 Internship Fund