The SECD Lab is pleased to dedicate this post to highlight Polina Poliakova, our Multi-Project Research Coordinator, who is ending her time at the lab and moving on to a new chapter to pursue her master’s degree. Polina graduated from Rutgers University in 2020 with a degree in psychology, and has played a major role in her leadership position within the lab. She was in charge of multiple projects and ran many different aspects of the lab during her position as Multi-Project Research Coordinator. Her leadership and passion for SEL and the SECD Lab is always celebrated by SECD Lab members and her work will continue to support our purpose to guide social-emotional learning and character development in students.
Polina’s passion for social emotional learning in youth has led her on this path in raising awareness on mental health issues and promoting effective communication and coping skills. Some of her research interests have been around creating positive psycho-social development in students with a bigger goal to improve educational experience for the younger generation.
Some words from Polina:
“I am extremely grateful to have had the opportunity to work with the SECD lab as an undergraduate and post-graduate. Not only have I been a part of many ongoing projects, papers and evaluations, but I also feel like I have been a part of a really amazing community of individuals, who have helped me grow in many ways beyond academics. I am so lucky to have been involved in such a caring, supportive and positive team and I am excited to see what the lab will continue to achieve!
I am especially thankful to the leadership team and Dr Elias who took me into the lab and have really supported and shaped me into becoming the researcher that I am today. As sad as it is to be leaving my position, I know that my work in SEL is not yet done and I will treasure not only the relationships that I have formed, but also the importance that SEL holds in everyday life and hope to spread that knowledge wherever I go.”