AMELIA LAWRENCE ’26: Discovering a Dedication to Research

July 1, 2026 - 18:32

Don't ask Amelia Lawrence '26 about the projects she worked on with Micayla Lacey, assistant professor of psychology. She won't share any details because she doesn't want to risk skewing the results. That level of discipline and dedication is exactly what defines her approach to academic research. Lawrence, a psychology major, initially entered college with a vague interest in the field but no clear direction. That changed when she took an introductory course with Professor Lacey and became fascinated by the process of designing experiments and interpreting data.

What started as a classroom curiosity quickly turned into a hands-on commitment. Lawrence now spends hours in the lab, coding participant responses and refining study protocols. She admits the work can be tedious, but she finds a deep satisfaction in the small breakthroughs. "It's not about the big eureka moment," she said. "It's about the slow, careful steps that lead to something meaningful."

Her professors describe her as unusually focused for an undergraduate. Lawrence plans to pursue a Ph.D. in clinical psychology, with a focus on cognitive behavioral interventions. She believes that the patience she has learned in the lab will serve her well in a clinical setting. For now, she keeps her lips sealed about the specifics of her research. The integrity of the science comes first.