LYNX LIFE LIBRARY

Anthony came to CU Denver for affordability—but stayed for purpose. In this interview with Office of Undergraduate Research and Creative Activities Student Assistant Will Leary, he shares how personal experiences led him to discover a passion for psychology. Now, he researches parenting strategies to support child development. His work has taken him to national conferences, helped him overcome imposter syndrome, and confirmed his passion for working with kids. His advice? Be patient, be yourself, and don’t be afraid to grow through research.

Will: First question is what brought you to CU Denver originally? Any particular motivations?

Anthony: If I’m being honest, a lot of my motivation was financial. I knew that CU Denver has a good balance between affordability and a good curriculum in the programs I was interested in.

Will: What made you choose psychology? 

Anthony: Growing up, my siblings would struggle with mental health and, and me being the middle child, the middleman, I always wanted to help people who are going through that type of stuff. To me, it's a purpose, something like a calling.

Will:  What is your research about right now specifically?

Anthony: It's mainly about behavioral parenting programs, it's a form of group therapy where we take a bunch of different parents who have concerns about their child and we group them and we teach them parenting strategies. We send surveys and then convert their answers into quantitative data to analyze. We have two different modules: one is positive parenting, cultivating growth, and the other one is consequences, meaning punishments for making mistakes. 

Will: Do you see any future impacts for yourself from this research?

Anthony: Yeah, in the time that I've been doing this research, it's solidified for me that I want to work with kids. I've had a lot of experiences where I feel like kids are the population I want to help because that's where I can make the most impact. I feel like kids are largely misunderstood—even in psychology. 

Will: You've done a few presentations now. Can you share your experience and any advice for students?

Anthony: I think I've done five presentations—twice at the Research and Creative Activities Symposium, RaCAS, one for TRIO McNair, the Gabriel E. Gallardo Symposium in Seattle, and one at the University of Texas at Austin. My advice: if you can travel for a presentation, do it. Mainly just to experience the world. For anyone scared of presenting, my advice is not to be. These environments are designed for undergraduates who are still learning. Every conference I have been to has had a welcoming feel. See Anthony’s recent presentation here.

Will: Did you experience imposter syndrome?

Anthony: Definitely. My first research was cell work, and I felt so out of place. I didn’t know why I was hired. But once you do one or two presentations, you start feeling more comfortable and move past that imposter syndrome.

Will: Tell me about your mentor—Dr. Jacob Holzman, right?

Anthony: Yes. I applied through Handshake. I didn't get the job the first time, but he urged me to apply again. 

Will: How has your experience been with working with him?

Anthony: Amazing. Both my current and previous mentors have been very understanding and know how to guide people. It’s been a fluid mentorship. We meet monthly for one-on-ones. Those meetings have been really helpful in maintaining a good relationship but also maintaining a level of motivation for professional growth.

Will: To wrap up, any general advice you'd have for students?

Anthony: I have two main suggestions:

One is just to have patience. Research in general is a really slow process. And life is a really slow process. You can't have everything in one moment.

Second, when it comes to finding an actual research position, or a job, or anything, don't go out of your way to fit and conform to whatever they want you to be. If it's meant to be, you’ve just got to be yourself. And if they want you, they want you.

Will: That's great advice, I cannot agree more with that. Thanks, Anthony!

Thinking about getting started in research? It’s never too early to start and CU Denver’s Office of Undergraduate Research and Creative Activities is here to help! 

• Come hear more about Psychiatry research with Dr. Holzman at Pizza with a Professor on Monday, November 10, 12:30 p.m.  to 1:30 p.m. in Learning Commons 2230.
• Book 1-1 advising in Handshake or come by drop-in hours in LynxConnect between 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. on Wednesdays.