When Research Became Personal: Lessons from the REACH Lab

By: Emily Nhan

I thought I understood the purpose of research. At USF, I had been a research assistant in a learning and memory lab for two years, conducted an independent honors thesis on prosocial behavior, and tutored students in research methods. But the pandemic hit in 2020, and I lost my front desk job in the psychology department during my senior year. Luckily, I was paired with Dr. Joyce Yang to assist with her course preparation, a pairing that would unexpectedly shift my career and reshape my vision for research.

Our early projects focused on understanding anti-Asian racism during the pandemic. For the first time, I was doing research centered on minoritized groups, and more meaningfully, on my own racial community. This work transformed how I viewed systemic injustice, how I understood the struggles of historically underserved groups, and how I envisioned my future. My identity as an Asian American woman was no longer separate from the research; it informed and strengthened it. My personal experiences became an asset, deepening my lens when engaging with qualitative narratives. 

Reading participant accounts of racism, with many mirroring my own pandemic experiences, was deeply emotional, but also empowering. It fueled my desire to pursue activism through research. Equipped with community participatory methods, I learned how to represent communities ethically and how to advocate for their needs with intention. 

I also came to see my racial identity as a strength. Previously, I had encountered “diversity” research that framed people of color as deviating from a supposed norm. But this lab work allowed me to highlight the resilience, richness, and adaptability within communities of color. I began to embrace my cultural background more fully and appreciate the uniqueness of others’.

The REACH lab also pushed me to grow quickly. I led my first-author study, trained junior researchers, and presented our work at multiple conferences. I learned to network, collaborate, and take initiative, skills that helped me secure a full-time research position at a healthcare think tank. This lab taught me to be proactive and confident in shaping my own research path. 

Looking back, I can point to several lessons that contributed to my success. First, staying open was crucial. I never could have predicted that joining this lab five years ago would lead to 16 conference presentations, five publications, and graduate school. I am where I am because of my willingness to learn and engage fully. Second, I was vocal about my interests, whether it was paper-writing, mentorship, or presentations, and Dr. Yang supported me in tailoring opportunities to match my passions. I also learned the importance of managing my time wisely. I was fortunate to access many opportunities, but I had to recognize my own limits to avoid burnout. This meant planning ahead, occasionally postponing projects, and choosing not to attend every conference event. These boundaries helped me stay focused and produce high-quality work. Lastly, I embraced collaboration. The connections I made through REACH and at conferences helped me better understand my field and sparked new research ideas. Surrounded by peers with shared goals and diverse perspectives pushed me to grow into a more motivated, thoughtful and open-minded researcher. 

I have been fortunate to have had experiences that guided my goals and growth. But the REACH lab was different. It represented many firsts: my first time mentoring, my first conference presentation, and my first experience conducting equity-based research with disadvantaged communities. Most importantly, it helped me realize that research can be deeply personal and a force for positive change. 

Now, as I continue my work at the University of Michigan’s Department of Psychology, I carry those lessons with me. My academic journey feels like it’s just beginning. But when I look back, I see how far I’ve come. And that’s thanks to REACH.