Idaly Del Rello Discovers Research Opportunities for All Majors

Participating in the First Year Research Experience at the University of Nebraska led Idaly Del Rello to discover that academic research is accessible to students across all majors, transforming her academic journey and proving that research is not restricted to hardcore STEM fields. Del Rello initially felt intimidated entering the First Year Research Experience, operating under the assumption that research work required being a STEM major.

Discovering Accessibility in Research

Designed for students with no prior research experience, the First Year Research Experience pairs participants with faculty mentors who need hands-on help. Reflecting on her participation, Del Rello noted I had this sense that you needed to be a hardcore STEM major to get into research work, and that is completely not true. Absolutely anyone can — and should — get involved. The program helped her learn to ask questions, connect big ideas, and understand trends in data.

Expanding Beyond the First Year

Following her transformative initial experience, Del Rello emailed her professors to seek out additional opportunities in psychology. She connected with Hillary Schwarb, assistant professor of psychology, whose work in the Center for Brain, Biology and Behavior studied human memory. As a research assistant under Professor Schwarb, Del Rello attended conferences and helped present their work.

Connecting Research to New Career Goals

Now a senior, Del Rello has developed an interest in political science and connected with opportunities in the center’s political science lab. Putting myself out there and taking this leap into research has led me to places I never expected, Del Rello said, encouraging other Huskers to take advantage of campus research regardless of their major.