University at Buffalo (UB)
Making Healthy Choices Easier for Children in Restaurants: Student lead role in the Child Health and Behavior Lab’s Restaurant Study
This project would be a great fit for a student who is interested in building on their research and leadership experience by 1) training for and executing a lead role in collecting behavioral data from children in a busy real-world environment and 2) completing a related independent research project.
Project is Not Currently Available
This project is not being offered for the current term. Please check back next semester for updates.
Project description
The UB Restaurant Study is an ongoing research study in which we are testing strategies to make healthy choices easier for children in restaurants. This position involves completing training for and executing a lead data collector role in the Fall 2024 semester, following research protocols and engaging with children and families in a local restaurant. The student will also be able to complete an independent project (e.g., poster) with mentorship from Dr. Anzman-Frasca, using data from the Restaurant Study or one of the other datasets available in the UB Child Health & Behavior Lab.
Project outcome
The student will learn how to serve as a lead data collector in the field, interacting with children and families. They will also learn about study administration, participant communication, and related methodologies, including collection of dietary data via “weighed plate waste”. They will build leadership skills, research skills, and independence when working on the Restaurant Study and on their independent project. The independent project will be determined by Dr. Anzman-Frasca and the student together, working to find a specific topic and deliverable that fit with the HABLAB’s broad area of focus (child health and well-being) and the student’s interests.
Project details
| Length of commitment | About a semester (3-5 Months) with potential to continue working in the lab in Spring 2025 |
| Start time | Fall (August/September) |
| In-person, remote, or hybrid? | In-Person Project |
| Level of collaboration | Working collaboratively with our team on data collection; working individually on independent project (with mentorship) |
| Benefits | Stipend |
| Who is eligible | All undergraduate students |
Core partners
- This role is within the UB HABLAB in UB's Department of Pediatrics on South Campus. You can read more about our projects and interdisciplinary team at https://ubhablab.weebly.com. We also work with various faculty collaborators and community partners across our different research projects.
Project mentor
Stephanie Anzman-Frasca
Assistant Professor
Pediatrics
Start the project
- Email the project mentor using the contact information above to express your interest and get approval to work on the project. (Here are helpful tips on how to contact a project mentor.)
- After you receive approval from the mentor to start this project, click the button to start the digital badge. (Learn more about ELN's digital badge options.)
Preparation activities
Once you begin the digital badge series, you will have access to all the necessary activities and instructions. Your mentor has indicated they would like you to also complete the specific preparation activities below. Please reference this when you get to Step 2 of the Preparation Phase.
*Complete required trainings including Human Subjects Research training (CITI), Child Protection Training, CPR/first aid, and training specific to being a lead on the Restaurant Study
*Complete readings related to independent project (to be determined by student and mentor together)
Keywords
Children, Nutrition, Pediatrics, Eating, Health, Restaurants, Data Collection, Families, Psychology