Opportunity Knocking

Bre Mathes presents her findings during her summer research experience. 
 
Opportunity can come in many forms. Sometimes, it can be as commonplace as a posting on a bulletin board or digital platform. That’s how Bre Mathes first learned of a summer research experience that would set her up for success in the remainder of her collegiate career and beyond.  
 
Mathes spent 10 weeks of the summer participating in a National Science Foundation Research Experience for Undergraduates (REU) program at the University of Arkansas. Specifically, she worked out of the Terrorism Research Center and utilized data from its Health Equity and Access Lab. Focusing on crime, justice and health data analytics, it was an intersection of many interests for her, and it all started with a simple post.  
 
“This REU was posted on the Truman State Pre-Law Brightspace page back in January of this year,” Mathes said. “Given that this REU encompassed everything I was looking for in an internship experience – including data analytics and the opportunity to travel to a different state – I eagerly applied.”
 
Mathes was one of only 10 interns from around the country selected to participate in this REU. She joined students from the University of Georgia, Kansas State and the University of Texas at Austin, among others. Days were filled in computer labs learning coding, research methodology and analysis, criminology and how to design research questions with survey data. All the program participants lived in the same off-campus apartment complex and attended networking events together, leading to an unexpected benefit. 
 
“I still talk to several of my coworkers and find it so awesome we met through this internship experience,” Mathes said. 
 
Part of the program called for participants to complete their own research in their topic of study. Mathes’ project used statewide data to assess the role getting stopped by police could play in women’s health outcomes. She and the other participants presented their research to members of the faculty at the conclusion of the program. For Mathes, the summer REU was an opportunity to gain experience in fields she hopes to pursue in the future. She plans to earn a J.D. and Master of Public Health degree and would like to practice in health law, bridging the gaps between medical and legal practice. 
 
“Oftentimes, technical jargon from both sides can result in confusion and miscommunication, which can result in inequitable outcomes for patients,” she said. “If the medical and legal worlds could work together more closely and better understand one another, I would consider that a success.” 
 
Mathes has used her time at Truman to prepare for her future career. She will graduate in May with degrees in criminal justice studies and philosophy and religion, along with minors in health and legal studies. Her summer research experience combined perfectly with her fields of study and should have her positioned for success in law school and beyond – all because she followed up on a Brightspace posting.
 
“If it were not for this REU, I would not have the knowledge and passion for data-driven storytelling as I do now,” she said. “It is imperative to understand both law and data in order to make informed policy decisions. This REU was a great springboard to jumpstart my understanding of data collection and its real implications.”