Meredith McCarthy to Pursue S.U.R.F. Research at Alvernia

2015 May 8

Meredith McCarthy of Gilbertsville, Pa has been named a Student Undergraduate Research Fellow for the summer of 2015. McCarthy is a sophomore Occupational Therapy major at Alvernia University.

The Student Undergraduate Research Fellows (S.U.R.F.) program is an opportunity for students to experience scholarship, research, and the creative process in collaboration with faculty scholars. Fellows earn a $3,000 stipend and are granted free housing for the eight-week summer program. McCarthy's project is titled "Analyzing the Benefits of Incorporating Playful Activities into the Elderly Lifestyle."

To be eligible for a SURF grant, students must carry a 3.0 GPA, and complete a joint proposal with a member of the faculty. McCarthy will work with Dr. Erin Way, assistant professor of psychology at Alvernia.

In addition to an application, proposals must include a description, plan and timeline for their project, as well as plans for assessment.

S.U.R.F. scholars and their faculty team members pursue projects for at least 20 hours a week through the eight week program, concluding with a demonstration of their work. Demonstrations include a presentation of findings or a summary of completed work, how work relates to larger scope of existing research, and discussion of the challenges the student dealt with in the process of generating the work.