Evelyn Fairbanks is a senior majoring in psychology and pursuing triple minors in Youth and Society, Education and Society, and Human Behavior and Social Services. She has been a student researcher in the Autism Lab with Dr. Brooke Ingersoll since the fall of 2024.
Evelyn recently received a Provost’s Undergraduate Research Initiative (PURI) Award which allows her to continue working on the Autism Lab’s Project ImPACT, which equips caregivers to embed social communication strategies into everyday routines, thereby promoting children’s learning in natural contexts.
For her PURI project, Evelyn will be working to capture the intervention’s overall impact from around the world by systematically mapping what is known, clarifying where findings converge, and highlight priorities for the future.
What drew you to psychology?
I was drawn to psychology because of my passion for supporting children’s emotional and social development. What I love most about the field is its versatility; there are so many ways to provide meaningful support, and professionals can work in areas that align with their passions. I am inspired by the ways psychology can create real impact, from helping families access the resources they need to designing interventions that allow children to thrive. For me, this combination of flexibility, purpose, and tangible impact is what makes psychology so compelling.
Can you tell me about the research that you’ll be doing for your PURI project?
Currently, I am extracting data from included studies, assisting in the development and application of a quality assessment tool, and contributing to sections of the written review, including the introduction, findings, and synthesis of results. I am also helping organize and interpret extracted data, and working to identify patterns across caregiver, child, and implementation outcomes, while supporting the preparation of dissemination products such as tables, narrative summaries, and a poster for MSU UURAF. My work will also come with the opportunity to contribute as a co-author on a peer-reviewed manuscript.
Why is this research topic important to you?
I am a passionate advocate for children’s emotional and social development. Working in the Autism Lab allows me to contribute meaningfully to research that will help to directly impact the availability of increased support structures for families and caregivers. This research highlights the importance of family involvement and early interventions in helping young children with autism thrive. It reinforces why I am drawn to school psychology, to work to make these kinds of support more standard and accessible in schools and communities.
What has surprised you about doing psychology research?
I always assumed that psychological research involved a parallel research process, but I’ve learned that there can be many different teams within one research lab working towards the same goal, which all come together in the end. Being a part of this research has given me invaluable exposure to all of the different aspects involved in the research process.
How else are you involved at MSU?
I’m a member of PSI CHI, Pi Sigma Epsilon, and the Psy Scholars program.
Who has helped you along your journey at MSU?
A big thank you to my faculty mentor, Dr. Watling Neal, Thuan Tran, Mehreen Hassan, and Dr. Ingersoll for their guidance and support in the Autism Lab; my advisor, Sarah Handspike. I am humbled and grateful for the guidance of my mentors and the love and support of my family and Seth. ❤️
What are your plans for the future?
I plan to pursue a master's and specialization degree in School Psychology and work towards a rewarding career in school psychology, supporting students’ academic, social, and emotional development.
Favorite MSU memory?
Attending the football game with a double overtime win against Boston College this year! Go GREEN!!