[img_inline align=”right” src=”http://padnws01.mcmaster.ca/images/usra1.jpg” caption=”Judith Shedden, Matthew Mazurek and Sarah Babcock at the reception celebrating the more than 130 Undergraduate Student Research Award recipients. Photo by Matt Terry.”]How does Bollywood affect women's body images? Why do people use Facebook? And how does aging affect neural processing?

These are just some of the questions being addressed by this year's group of Undergraduate Summer Research Award (USRA) recipients, celebrated at a July 27 reception hosted by the School of Graduate Studies.

This year, over 130 talented students have been given USRAs, providing them with the opportunity to explore research-oriented career opportunities, investigate particular areas of interests, enhance and expand their academic experiences and identify potential areas of research for further study.

“It's very rewarding to take what we've been learning in our classes and apply that knowledge in a lab. Most undergraduate students never get to experience this level of involvement, and I feel very lucky for the opportunity,” said Sarah Babcock, a psychology student who is spending her summer researching math anxiety with Judith Shedden, associate professor in the Department of Psychology, Neuroscience & Behaviour.

Not only do the USRAs give students hands-on experience, they also allow them to make meaningful contributions to academia.

“The USRAs are an excellent way for students to discover their passion for research and enhance their academic experience at McMaster,” said Allison Sekuler, associate vice-president and dean of graduate studies. “They move beyond simply reading textbooks to helping make the discoveries that will be in the next generation of textbooks.”

The USRAs are sponsored by the Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada, the Office of the Vice-President (Research and International
Affairs), the Faculties of Social Sciences, Humanities and Business and faculty research grants.

A poster session featuring the summer research projects of USRA recipients will be held November 11 from noon to 2 p.m. in the marketplace of the McMaster University Student Centre.