RIT National Technical Institute for the Deaf Launches RECIPES D/HH Student Research Immersions

Photos: (L-R) RIT students Hannah DeFelice, Gibran Perez, and Emerson Bartsch (pictured with advisor Diana Rodriguez Alberto) presented results of their projects at the RIT National Technical Institute of the Deaf Research Symposium.

The goal of this cross-network effort is to provide research immersions for D/HH students that facilitate direct experience in scientific research aimed at increasing future recruitment and retention in graduate training. We’ve conducted professional development workshops and information sessions on creating an inclusive environment and accessible space for D/HH students. Part of this effort is to train mentors on effective practices for interpersonal communication and lab safety for D/HH students. The goal of initiative is to ultimately increase the number of D/HH students that go on to graduate degrees and careers in STEM.

This year, eight D/HH undergraduate students were supported in research immersions. Each student was grouped with a faculty mentor who was conducting RECIPES-related research. Students were trained in different research techniques, conducted the research, and met regularly with their faculty mentors. The RECIPES leads on this project met with the students monthly to gauge how the immersions were progressing, address any concerns, and discuss student future plans. The leads also met with assigned faculty mentors to discuss best practices in working with D/HH students.

Six of the students who participated in the research immersions presented the results of their research at local conferences Two-thirds of the students (excluding those who graduated) continued working in the research labs. For the upcoming academic year, we already have four D/HH students enrolled in the research immersion. We also hope to complete a “best practices”/training video for working with D/HH students in research.