MCB Joint Seminar Series: Katelyn Cooper "Small changes, meaningful outcomes: Improving mental health among undergraduate and graduate students in the sciences"

There has been a steep decline in mental health among both graduate and undergraduate students in recent years. Calls to create more inclusive science programs for students with anxiety and depression have followed. However, little research has examined what aspects of science undergraduate and graduate programs alleviate and exacerbate student symptoms of anxiety and depression, and in turn how students’ mental health impacts their experiences in academic science. To address this gap, our lab has interviewed hundreds and surveyed thousands of undergraduate and graduate students with anxiety and depression about their experiences in science active learning classrooms, online courses, and research labs. We’ve identified key aspects of science learning environments, such as structure, social interactions, feedback, and progress that impact students’ mental health. These interview and survey studies also provide recommendations specific to undergraduates in classrooms and graduate students engaging in research and teaching to maximize students’ mental health in the context of academic science.