Xuwen Zhao - 2025 Emerging Scholar, 2026 Peer Mentor

In the Emerging Scholars Program, my research has been focused on dementia studies in a project known as the Lifetime Music Experience, where we are finding potential correlations between music and risk factors of developing dementia. In a broader perspective, my research interests are based on topics of neurology and behavior, and the Emerging Scholars Program provides me with the opportunity to experience and participate in research in these areas. For the remainder of my undergraduate career, I plan to conduct more research on the topics I am interested in and hopefully carry that on to graduate school or medical school in the future.

As a part of the program, I have the valuable opportunity to become a peer mentor for students that are new to research. I chose to become a peer mentor in wish to help others and introduce them to research, just as the others were there for me when I started. The Emerging Scholars Program experience has been extremely helpful. My research mentor was the one who introduced me to the methods of research, the ethics and guidelines, and the strategies for various purposes related to research.

More information about me:

•  I did not have much exposure to research prior to the start of the program, but the Emerging Scholars Program and my mentor provided all the help and resources needed for a fast introduction.