SSURE - An undergraduate research program that selects student proposals to work on their choice of research topics during the Spring and Summer semesters and provides stipends based on the budgets they submitted.
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SSURE 2008-2009 Participants
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 Catherine Ott-Holland, a senior Psychology and Music major is researching "Cross-Cultural Communications in the Workplace" with Dr. Stephan Motowidlo."I've really enjoyed working on my SSURE project with Dr. Motowidlo and Dr. Stoll. Both have been extremely supportive and have really helped me "bring to life" my research ideas. It's very rewarding to see your own project through, every step of the way. It's also definitely an experience most undergraduates might not otherwise have the opportunity to do. I feel very lucky to have been selected."
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 Andrew Patterson a freshman Economics major is researching "Southern Economic Trends and Public Education" with Dr. Peter Mieszkowski.
"My experience with SSURE and other undergraduate
research in the social sciences has been invaluable because of the
willingness of my professors to dedicate time to questions and
exploration of research methodology. My exploration of public
education and the South over the summer will undoubtedly lead to
more inquiry, and I am confident that the Rice University School of
Social Sciences will be there to prepare me for the task."
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 Jasmine Bright, a junior Anthropology major is researching "Cultural Adaption of Burmese Refugee Families in Houston, Texas" with Dr. Elizabeth Vann.
"Through my experience with SSURE, I have been able to apply my
knowledge of research methods with my interests of the way newly
arrived Burmese refugees have dealt with the drastic changes in their
surroundings. The opportunity to direct my own research while working
very closely with my adviser, Dr. Vann, has fueled me with the
confidence, ideas, and the desire to continue on to the graduate level,
fusing my interests in social causes with ethnographic research."
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SSURE 2007-2008 Participants
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 Andrew Thompson, a senior Psychology major, explored “How Should Students Organize Their Study Time?: The Role of Distributed Practice and Self-Testing in Learning Foreign Language Vocabulary” with Dr. Jessica Logan. Performing independent research allowed Andrew to gain acceptance into the Yale Cognition and Development Lab this past summer and provided him with the necessary tools to be an effective researcher upon graduation.
Andrew has been selected to present his research at the National Conference on Undergraduate Research (NCUR) April 16-18, 2009 at the University of Wisconsin, La Crosse campus.
"SSURE provided me with a tremendous opportunity to perform cognitive psychology research with a faculty member at Rice. Not only did it allow me to understand the role of spacing and testing effects in memory, but it has given me many new ideas for future research projects."
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 Ariela Schachter, a senior Sociology major, explored the topic “Accessing Health Care: A Latino Immigrant Experience” with Dr. Roland Smith as her advisor. "I am very grateful for the support of the SSURE program, which allowed me to continue a project I began in Dr. Smith's Ethnographic Research class last fall and which I am now continuing as my senior thesis in Sociology."
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.jpg?n=7461 "Shireen_Nasir") Shireen Nasir, a senior Political Science major, focused on a study entitled “Improving the Role of Women in the Public Sphere of Pakistan”. As a student interested in the lives of Pakistani women and their social and political empowerment, Shireen was able to travel to Karachi and Islamabad to interview prominent women in politics, academia, and business first-hand.
"These are experiences that you just cannot gain from a textbook.
Furthermore, the close relationship I developed with my research
mentor, Dr. Balabanlilar, gave me the motivation and expertise to feel
confident about my work. Her encouragement was key to my success in the
project.The SSURE program allows students in the social sciences field to
truly explore their research interests. Not only is it a great
experience to work with a mentor who has experience in your field, but
meeting with other SSURE grant recipients allows you to get a better
understanding of the interests of other intelligent, motivated Rice
students. "
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| INTERNSHIPS - The School of Social Sciences offers an opportunity for students to earn course credit for completing internships in organizations that provide rewarding educational and professional experiences. |
Fall 2009 Interns
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Pierre Elias, a junior Sociology major is interning at the The Abramson Center for the Future of Health at Methodist Hospital Research Institute. Kyle Kelley, a senior Economics major is interning with Krueger & Catalano Capital Partners, LLC. Zafir Khan, a senior Mathematical Economic Analysis major is interning at the Green Business Bureau in Houston, Texas. Xiaoyi Luo, a sophomore Economics and Engineering major is interning with The Sharpe Group at Merrill Lynch. Yvette Pan, a junior Economics major is interning at The Kelsey Group, Merrill Lynch-Smith Barney. Anya Shelekhin, a senior Mathematical Economic Analysis and Managerial Studies major is interning at Merrill Lynch, Private Investment Group. Simon Wu, a junior Mathematical Economic Analysis and Computational & Applied Math major, is interning at Merrill Lynch. Shuai Ye, an Economics and Computational & Applied Math major is interning with Merrill Lynch. Joyce Yao, a senior Political Science and History major is interning at the Green Business Bureau.
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Summer 2009 Interns
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Fiona Adams, a senior Anthropology and Policy Studies major, interned at The Urban Institute. Kara Calhoun, a sophomore Biological Sciences, Policy Studies
major interned with the National Association of Public Hospitals
and Health Systems. Cindy Dinh, a junior Sociology and Policy Studies major, interned at the Asian Pacific Islander Forum. Devin Glick, a sophomore Political Science major interned with the Human Rights Campaign. Sean Graham, a junior Cognitive Studies major interned with Global Security.org. Jingyuan Luo, a junior Biochemistry, Cell Biology and Policy Studies major interned with the National Science Foundation. Cort Malmberg, a senior Political Science and English major interned at the Bureau of European and Eurasian Affairs. Rachel Solnick, a senior Visual and Dramatic Arts, Policy Studies and Psychology major interned with The Urban Center. Adams, Calhoun, Dinh, Glick, Graham, Luo, Malmberg, and Solnick interned in Washington, D.C. as part of the Baker Institute Public Policy Summer Fellows program. Julia Ager, a senior History and Political Science major interned with the Texas Department of Family and Protective Services in Houston, Texas as part of the Poverty, Justice and Human Capabilities service learning internship program at Rice.
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Helen Kiesling, a junior economics major interned with the Sharpe Group at Merrill Lynch. Christopher Kopczynski, a junior Psychology and Mathematical Economic Analysis major interned with Fiduciary Asset Management in St. Louis, Missouri. Ryan Oringer, a sophomore Political Science major interned with iN DEMAND Networks in New York City. Michelle Phillips, a sophomore Anthropology major interned with the Orange County Register in Irvine, California. Nate Simonette, a junior History major, sociology minor interned at Merrill Lynch in Houston, Texas. John Tracey, a sophomore Economics, Managerial Studies and Political Science major interned with Union Bank of Switzerland (UBS) in New York City.
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Spring 2009 Interns
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.JPG?n=2701 "Jackie Ammons")   
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| Jackie Ammons, a junior Economics major interned with UBS. The Merrill Lynch interns for the Spring semester were Mario Samos, a junior Mathematics and Economics major, Murat Konuk, a sophomore Mathematics and Economics major and Timothy Patuwo, a senior Economics major. |
Fall 2008 Interns
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 Allison Pye, a sophomore Policy Studies major interned at Baylor College of Medicine with the Children’s Nutrition Research Center.
"Most people seem to think that medicine is strictly about the biosciences, but being a physician or an employee in health care is so much more than that. In addition to the natural sciences, the social sciences are important in the medical field because patient interaction is something you cannot learn in a basic science course. What happens in society is so important in medicine; knowing how the government and health care are intertwined and how health care affects our everyday lives can revolutionize patient care. I am interested in Policy Studies because it connects the gap between the natural and social sciences, and I hope that this connection can better enable myself and others to make a difference in the future."
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  The Merill Lynch interns were Jordan Shanker, a junior Economics major, and Atif Riaz, a senior Economics/Psychology/Managerial Studies major. "Gaining first-hand experience and learning about all the different
areas of the industry has made me even more passionate about a
possible career in the financial sector." -Atif Riaz
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Summer 2008 Interns
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 Adam Benaroya, a senior Mathematical Economic Analysis and Managerial Studies major interned at the MTV Networks/Spike TV."Jobs in the television industry are generally divided into business and production jobs. The work I performed my first summer was more quantitatively-based, which is more my strength and interest. Having had this internship was invaluable because now I am able to direct my job search in a more specified path than before."
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Spring 2008 Interns
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 Tyler Raugh, a Mathematics and Economics major interned at a Houston-based Merrill Lynch office, focusing on innovative investment strategies for high net-worth investors.
"One of the greatest strengths of my internship experience was the chance to do the same work as a first year analyst. I was responsible for conducting research on investing strategies, investment funds, and market conditions. I made an effort to read everything that was given to me. Even if I was filing or binding, I read everything that was handed to me. Through this, I learned important vocabulary and interesting facts through seemingly mundane activities. Newly armed with key investment terms, I can decipher once coded and complicated conversations."
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Christine Shaheen, a senior Economics major, interned at Telemus Capital Partners, LLC during spring 2008. "I was able to gain exposure to so many different things including: asset allocation, money manager analysis, equity analysis, and buyouts and market development. I feel that when someone says that they are a “financial analyst” this term actually means something to me now and I have an idea about the position rather than the term being a vague concept that I do not really understand."
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| International Internships 
Robert Dahnke, a senior Political Science major, interned at Hubbard Pegman & Whitney law firm in London, England during the Fall 2007 semester. Robert also completed three courses at the London School of Economics during his time in the United Kingdom.
"In general, I worked in the personal injury litigation department at Hubbard Pegman & Whitney. Though, for a few weeks, I also worked in the Wills & Probate department. Then again, my office was located amidst the Property department, so I suppose I was exposed to a fairly wide cross-section as those are the three principle departments at the firm. I learned a great deal about the British legal system, business operations in Britain, and British society in general - all through my internship."
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| INTERNATIONAL AMBASSADORS - The School of Social Sciences selects one to four outstanding social sciences students studying abroad as international ambassadors. The Social Sciences International Ambassadors are expected to initiate dialogue with alumni, local and university officials to enhance their learning process while studying abroad, and then report their experiences to students upon their return. |
Fall 2009 International Ambassadors
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 Murat Konuk, a Mathematics & Economics major is studying in London, United Kingdom."I view studying abroad in London as embarking on a voyage
of self-discovery and the ambassadorship will only enhance my experience."
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 Nicole Orchard, a History & Political Science major is studying in Paris, France."The International Ambassador program is the perfect opportunity to learn about another culture and perspective from the most influential and educated sources. As a History and Political Science major, studying abroad is an important opportunity for me to take advantage of, especially to expand my studies in international relations."
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 Oliver Peng, a Mathematical Economic Analysis major is studying in Shanghai, China."This ambassadorship will help me to develop not only myself as a
person, but also the skills and knowledge essential to success in my
future endeavors. It will allow me to focus on meeting with the
individuals whom I believe to be the most useful in offering the
information to understanding how leadership works in China."
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 Ariel Rogers, a Political Science major is studying in Brussels, Belgium."Today's world is intensely political and affects everyone. As a
political scientist, I recognize an intrinsic need to connect to people
from all different nations and cultures. While in Europe, I will humbly
reach out and find common ground with those in the international community."
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Spring 2009 International Ambassadors
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 Connor Boyd, an English and Managerial Studies major studied abroad in Madrid, Spain."The ambassadorship is not just about the student at work in the international community, but the people who will benefit from the knowledge provided by his or her efforts upon their return."
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 Pamela Cosio, a Psychology major studied abroad in Aix-en-Provence, France."I look forward to overcoming language barriers and gaining skills that will help me grow as a person and help me become better suited for the business world."
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 Shireen Nasir, a Political Science major studied abroad in Ankara, Turkey."I spent a week in Istanbul two years ago and instantly fell in love with the people and cultural traditions. Having the opportunity to build relations with various people of different backgrounds and occupations through the Rice International Ambassador program will enhance my experiences greatly."
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 Steffi Russell-Egbert, a Junior Mathematics and Economics major studied abroad in Geneva, Switzerland."As an econ major I am most interested in the interaction between international aid and national sovereignty."
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Fall 2008 International Ambassadors
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 Mallory Johnson, a Political Science and History major studied abroad in Cairo, Egypt.
"Studying abroad is all about perspective. Being an international ambassador enabled me to reach out to people I might never have encountered otherwise and I was able to take advantage of unique circumstances."
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.JPG?n=8414 "Adnan") Adnan Poonawala, an Economics major studied in Prague, Czech Republic."I acquired a perspective that was unique and one that I would not have received here in the States. It definitely added to my study abroad experience in Prague."
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