David Garcia, Junior Psychology Major, was chosen to participate in the Research Experience for Undergraduates at the Disaster Research Center (DRC), sponsored by the University of Delaware. The program is funded by the National Science Foundation, the United States Department of Defense, and the University of Delaware. The nine-week program offers research experience to only ten undergraduate students from across the country. Participants gain exposure to hands-on research training and enhance their understanding of the social science aspect of disasters. The first four weeks of the program consist of a research course and a second course of background information concerning the disaster research field. The next five weeks consist of independent research to conduct and finish participant research projects. David conducted a qualitative analysis from testimonies of the Rhode Island Station Nightclub fire. In addition, David attended the Natural Hazards Conference in Boulder, Colorado to meet some of the leading investigators in the field of disaster research.

Link to the website for more information:

http://www.udel.edu/DRC/REU/REU.html